The Forgetting Curve: Why We Keep Forgetting

Have you ever experienced teaching a skill and when you bring it up again, students act like they have never heard it? 

Annoying, right?

Or, you begin to build upon learning students were supposed to have mastered last year, and THEY SWEAR they NEVER were taught it?

Frustrating, right? 

Well, it turns out.....your students might be telling you the truth.  

They might really have forgotten.

Over 100 years ago, German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus wanted to understand more about memory, why we forget and what we can do to prevent it. 

So, he conducted a study, using himself as the subject.  

He presented himself with a list of nonsense CVC words (i.e. dok, bov ) and attempted to recall those nonsense words over different lengths of time.

Ebbinghaus discovered that when you first learn something, the information disappears at an exponential rate without retention.  

According to Ebbinghaus's research you lose 50% of all information within a day and 90% of all new information within a week (Virtanen, 2023).  

Check out this short video from Growth Engineering, which does a fantastic job describing the forgetting curve!  This would be a great video to share with administrators and fellow teachers.

Over the years, many researchers have replicated Ebbinghaus's study to see if his findings were accurate.  

AND.....all studies reached the same conclusion Ebbinghaus did.  The forgetting curve is real, folks! 

So what were the findings Ebbinghaus discovered about knowledge retention?  The four key takeaways are:

1. Relevancy  

• Memories are stronger when an individual has an interest in the information being presented.

2. Time

• The biggest drop in retention happens soon after learning.  Learners will forget an average of 90% of new information within the first seven days.

 

3. Presentation 

• The way information is presented matters.  Make learning logical and clear.

4. Feelings

• Physiological factors (such as sleep and stress) influence how well we retain information.  

We know the forgetting curve is real.

We know brains are hard wired to get rid of any information they don't deem necessary for survival.

So, as educators, how do we combat the forgetting curve?  How do we help our students' memory? 

Check out the next post in the series, to answer just that! 

References

Virtanen, A. (2023, February 23). What is the forgetting curve and how can you combat it?. Growth Engineering. https://www.growthengineering.co.uk/what-is-the-forgetting-curve/#:~:text=Ebbinghaus%20discovered%20that%20reviewing%20new,help%20it%20to%20become%20stronger.

Teacher Recommended Books to Celebrate Summer

Warmer weather has arrived!

Alarm clocks are turned off, and lazy summer days are here to stay.  

Well....here to stay for at least a couple of months. 

Whether you plan to spend these delightful days at the beach, by the pool, in a tent or in the comforts of an air conditioned home....make sure to crack open one of these summertime favorites to delight everyone in the family!   

The following seven books celebrate all that summer has to offer.  There is a book about camping, visiting the beach, swimming, amusement parks and spending quality times with loved ones.

Katie Catz Makes a Splash  by Anne Rockwell

Do you have a child that is afraid to swim?  Katie Catz was terrified to swim, but she learned how from ultracool Patsy Polarbear just in time to attend Brendan and Belinda Porker's birthday party.  Young swimmers can share Katie's fears AND celebrate with her as she completes her first lap across the pool.  This is a great book at bout facing fears and taking chances!

On the Way to the Beach by Henry Cole

Little readers will follow a young girl on a summer stroll to the beach.  As she walks, she passes through the woods, a marsh and sand dunes.  She often pauses to observe and think about the wildlife watching her. A foldout reveals animals, birds, insects and plants in each of the coastal settings---which is great for curious young minds!

Zigby Camps Out by Mr. Brian Patterson

Follow along as Zigby Zebra and his friends decide to campout in the deepest, darkest part of the jungle.  When Zigby and his pals get cold, hungry and scared they decide to pack it in, head home and eat dinner.  Zigby finishes his campout in the safety of his own backyard.  I'm sure Zigby's camping story rings true for many families who have "camped" for the first time.  

Blackout by John Rocco

One hot summer night in the city, all of the power goes out.  What is a family to do?  They can't use the phone, work on the computer, watch tv....or even finish cooking dinner.  John Rocco authors this lovely story about the pure joy in being fully present in the moment. 

Lucille Camps In by Kathryn Lasky

Poor Lucille is too young to go on the camping trip with her dad and older siblings, and she is NOT happy about it.  Lucille's mom tries everything to cheer her up, but nothing seems to work.....until Lucille gets an idea of her own!  Lucille and her mom are going to camp in!!  A delightful story about how your imagination can take you anywhere!!

Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee

Do you like riding a roller coaster, but hate the wait?  If so...check out this book, as it has all of the excitement without the dreaded long line!  This book is so fun to read aloud with sounds like clacking and yelling as the text loops and drops!  

And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner

This ode to summer will delight anyone who has ever counted down the days until school gets out.  Tom Brenner has a summer favorite for everyone in this book--flip flops, hide and seek, fireworks, ice cream trucks, lemonade stands and even roasting marshmallows! This book leaves little doubt that summer is a season like none other!

Are you looking for more great summer book reads?  Check out this list from PBS or Reading Rockets!

A Teacher's Summer Bucket List

My previous blog post was devoted to kids and what they want to do over the summer months.  

BUT.........

What about us?  What about teachers?  What about adults?  We DESERVE to make fun plans for ourselves too!!

Can I get an Amen?!?!

Every school year is taxing for educators, administration and support staff.....

Your summer break should be spent doing things that make you feel rested and recharged! 

All too often summer break seems to quickly slip through our fingers, and we arrive at the beginning of August and wonder how the new school year arrived so quickly?!?  

Summer is an elusive little season, isn't it? 

In order to take full advantage of your time off, I urge you to make a Summer Bucket list for yourself! 

Bucket lists are a great ways to ensure that relaxation, fun and meaningful moments happen. By the end of the summer I want to look back on the the two months and have something to show for it---and I want that for you too!  

Click here, or the image below to download this free resource!  Included in the download are multiple bucket list bingo boards.  There are two pre-filled bucket boards with lots of fun options!  You don't even have to think of your own fun--just print and start enjoying life.  Ha!  

There are also two boards that are mostly filled, but with a few blank spaces.  The mostly filled option is great if you have a few of your own ideas you want to insert! Last, there is  a completely blank board for those of you who have a brain swimming with fun ideas!

I truly hope you find this Summer Bucket List for Teachers helpful and that you have an opportunity to take these next few months to take time for yourself.

Summer is the perfect season to slow down, take a deep breath and breath fresh perspective into your life.  Remember that self care doesn't mean me first, it just means me too!  If you are looking or more ways to relax and take care of yourself click here or the image below!