Teaching & learning

Spacing and Interleaving

WHAT

Spacing means spreading out learning over multiple lessons instead of covering everything at once. Retrieval practice helps students remember what they've learned by actively recalling it. 

WHY

Spaced practice makes learning last by making students work harder to recall information, which strengthens their memory. Mixing different types of problems (interleaving) helps students figure out the best strategies and trains their brain to tell different kinds of information apart. 

In the classroom

Spacing Learning: concepts are taught gradually, not all at once. 

Retrieval Practice: Students recall information instead of just reviewing. 

Teachers use fact-based and deeper-thinking questions. 

Engage all students with ‘think, pair, share’ or mini whiteboards. 

Keep retrieval challenging but low-risk. 

Lesson Routines: Start lessons with quick recall activities (Daily Review).

Connect new learning to past lessons through discussions or summaries. 

How to support at home

Start homework with a quick recall activity from previous lessons. 

Have children summarise or explain what they learned in their own words. 

Create connections between past and new learning through discussions

Resources

Spacing and retrieval practice guide | Australian Education Research Organisation