The Forgetting Curve Is Real
Hermann Ebbinghaus proved it in 1885, and it's still true: without review, students forget 80% of new vocabulary within 48 hours.
This is why students can ace a vocabulary quiz on Friday and remember nothing by Monday. The traditional 'teach it once, move on' approach fights against how human memory actually works.
Spaced repetition — reviewing material at increasing intervals — is the most evidence-based technique in all of education. After 4 well-timed reviews, retention jumps from 20% to 90%+.
By the Numbers
📉
80% Lost
Vocabulary forgotten within 48 hours without spaced review
📈
90%+ Retained
After 4 strategically spaced reviews of the same material
📅
1-3-7-30
Optimal review schedule: Day 1, Day 3, Day 7, Day 30
Implementing Spaced Repetition in Class
The 1-3-7-30 Schedule
Teach vocabulary on Day 1. Quick review on Day 3 (gap-fill exercise). Test on Day 7 (matching activity). Final review on Day 30 (use in context).
Teach vocabulary on Day 1. Quick review on Day 3 (gap-fill exercise). Test on Day 7 (matching activity). Final review on Day 30 (use in context).
Monday Recall Ritual
Start every Monday with 5 minutes: 'Write down every new word from last week.' Compare lists. This simple ritual creates a natural Day 7 review point.
Start every Monday with 5 minutes: 'Write down every new word from last week.' Compare lists. This simple ritual creates a natural Day 7 review point.
Spiral Worksheets
Generate DrillKit worksheets that include 70% new vocabulary and 30% vocabulary from previous weeks. This builds review directly into new material.
Generate DrillKit worksheets that include 70% new vocabulary and 30% vocabulary from previous weeks. This builds review directly into new material.
Exit Tickets
Last 2 minutes of class: students write 3 new words they learned today. Collect them. Use these words in next week's warm-up activities.
Last 2 minutes of class: students write 3 new words they learned today. Collect them. Use these words in next week's warm-up activities.
lightbulb
Teacher Tip
"Don't just review the words — vary how you review them. Day 1: definition matching. Day 3: gap-fill. Day 7: sentence writing. Day 30: spoken use. Different retrieval methods strengthen different neural pathways."
Frequently Asked Questions
How many new words should I teach per lesson?
add
Research suggests 7-10 new vocabulary items per hour of instruction. More than that and retention drops dramatically. Better to teach 8 words well than 20 words poorly.
Can DrillKit help with spaced repetition?
add
Yes — regenerate worksheets using the same vocabulary but different exercise types each week. This creates natural spaced repetition without manual planning.