Incremental Rehearsal: A Flashcard Drill Technique for Increasing Retention of Reading Words

Abstract

This article describes the incremental rehearsal technique, a flashcard procedure that builds word reading fluency and retention skills for struggling readers. The technique consists of interspersing a 10% to 90% ratio of unknown to known words. The repeated presentation of unknown words with known words likely motivates struggling readers to practice reading unknown words when they are interspersed with words they can read. The repeated exposures of unknown words provide students with ample opportunities to acquire, become fluent in, and to retain these words. This article illustrates the use of this technique with 10 second graders who were receiving special reading services at school. The article concludes with advantages and various suggestions for implementing the incremental rehearsal technique in the classroom.