Going Big on Retrieval Practice WILL CIRRITO ‘21, CECE FAINBERG ‘21 AND MAYA NOBOA ‘21
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t was a boring Monday night in late May, and the three of us wanted to hang out after school. Our parents only agreed on one condition: that we would be productive and study for our upcoming exams. We explained that although our final exams were drawing near, we felt that we had studied for each one as best as we could, using the exam review resources and guidelines provided to us by our teachers. But what more could we do? In order to appease our parents, we had to figure out a study strategy that would be useful and effective; and to appease us, one that was also engaging, and enjoyable. Quizlet, flashcards, self-testing, and referring back to class notes were all fine strategies, but we wanted to create one that would help us fully grasp all of the information needed for our final exams, as well as one that fit where we were mentally having already done a lot of studying. First, we had to pick a subject. We all had history class together, so we felt that it would be the wisest decision to choose that course. Next, we had to collaborate to create an incredible, impeccable method for studying and learning the material – but whatever would we choose? Maya mentioned that she had a large scroll of paper in her basement. Cece got excited because she happened to have some nice markers. Will posed the question of what we could create with this perfect storm of blank canvas and colored markers. Eureka! The “colossal piece of paper” was born and we set off to create our study tool. We started by writing down historical words we needed to remember. We then recalled and wrote down the first 16 presidents of the United States. Next, we
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worked to recall from memory, and then by looking at our notes, the three historical chains of causation and the 22 Terms of the Historian. After that, we decided to make a table showcasing wars, from the French-Indian War to the Civil War, and important information about them. We proceeded to list the acts and compromises
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