How do you get information to stick in your student's long-term memory? Think back to your own school days. Do you recall any particular "learning moments"? Why do you remember them?
The two main ways to get information into a student's long-term memory are to make it memorable and to review it frequently .
You probably remember your multiplication tables because your teacher required you to review them frequently. You may remember certain odd spellings because someone told you a memorable little "trick." For example, I remember that grammar is spelled with ar at the end, and not er, because my teacher always said, "Grammar is from Mars." And I can still name the fifty states in alphabetical order without even thinking about it simply because my chorus teacher taught us a song!
In spelling, making it memorable and reviewing frequently are the keys to helping your students remember correct spelling.
Next week I'll give you six effective strategies for reviewing spelling.
