Phase 1: Prepare
Step 1 Warm-up recall
From M8.L2: how many points is one question worth out of 10?
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Step 2 Learning goal
By the end of this lesson you can:
- combine rounds (Foundation);
- judge whether a gap is meaningful (Core);
- word a cautious conclusion (Core).
Phase 2: Teach
Step 3 A familiar example
Scoring one goal does not prove a team is better. Seeing the same result over several matches begins to.
Step 4 Clear explanation
One round with 10 questions can be swayed by luck or by a topic that happened to suit one method. A second round with different topics, and with the methods swapped between topics if you can, tells you more.
| Pair (invented) | Retrieval | Rereading | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 / 10 | 6 / 10 | 20 points |
| 2 | 7 / 10 | 6 / 10 | 10 points |
| Both pairs | 15 / 20 = 75% | 12 / 20 = 60% | 15 points |
Check: retrieval 8 + 7 = 15 correct of 20, which is 75%; rereading 6 + 6 = 12 of 20, which is 60%; difference 15 points. This equals the average of the two gaps, (20 + 10) / 2 = 15, because both rounds had 10 questions. The method was ahead both times, which is more convincing than one gap, but 20 questions per method is still small.
Word the conclusion with care: "In my two rounds, retrieval practice scored 15 points higher than rereading, which fits the research in the course. It suggests the method works for me, but 20 questions per method is a small sample." Avoid "proves". If the gaps had been 20 and −5, you would say the evidence is mixed. Also remember that real classes and exams differ from your test. See the entries on retrieval practice and spacing effect.
Step 5 Worked example (4 marks)
Round 1: retrieval 9 of 10, rereading 7 of 10. Round 2: retrieval 6 of 10, rereading 6 of 10. Give the combined percentages and the gap.
- Retrieval: 9 + 6 = 15 of 20, which is 75%. (1 mark)
- Rereading: 7 + 6 = 13 of 20, which is 65%. (1 mark)
- Gap: 75 − 65 = 10 points. (1 mark)
- Answer: 75%, 65% and a 10-point gap. (1 mark)
Phase 3: Practise
Step 6 Learner practice (instant-marked)
1. A second round helps because:
One round can be luck.
2. 15 correct out of 20 is:
15 / 20.
3. Which conclusion is most careful?
Match the claim to the evidence.
4. Gaps of 20 and −5 points suggest:
The pattern did not repeat.
Phase 4: Close
Step 7 Recap
- Combine rounds by adding correct answers and questions.
- Look for the same direction each time.
- Word the conclusion to match the small sample.
Step 8 Exit ticket (ungraded)
Rounds: 8 of 10 and 6 of 10 for method X. Combined percentage?
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Step 9 Go further (Extension)
Rewrite one of your own claims about studying with a cautious wording.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| Saying a small test proves a method | Say it suggests. |
| Averaging percentages of unequal rounds | Add counts first. |
| Ignoring a round that disagrees | Report it. |
Limits. Even two rounds are a small sample, and the test measures recall of your own material, not every kind of learning.