Importance of Flexible Reading Blocks

Maximizing Learning and Memory for Struggling Readers: The Importance of Flexible Reading Blocks


learning, result in better retention and retrieval of information. This means that students who are given more opportunities to learn and review material over time are more likely to retain that information for the long term, compared to students who only study that material once or twice in a single sitting.

This is where rethinking school schedules and reading blocks comes in. Currently, many schools have a fixed schedule where students are required to spend a certain amount of time reading or studying a particular subject during a designated block of time. However, this fixed schedule may not be the most effective way to promote optimal learning outcomes for all students.

By being more flexible with the scheduling of reading blocks, for example, schools can allow students to distribute their reading practice over a period of time that suits their individual learning needs. Some students may benefit from shorter, more frequent reading sessions throughout the day, while others may prefer longer, more concentrated sessions. By giving students the freedom to adjust their own reading schedules, schools can help them maximize their learning potential and improve their overall academic performance.

In addition to being more flexible with reading blocks, schools can also rethink the way they schedule classes and homework assignments. By spacing out homework assignments and class activities over a longer period of time, students can have more opportunities to review and practice what they have learned. This can help them retain information better, and perform better on exams and other assessments.

In conclusion, the distributed practice effect has shown us that distributing learning over time can have significant benefits for memory and retention. By rethinking school schedules and reading blocks, we can help students take advantage of this effect and improve their overall academic performance. This can lead to better outcomes for both students and schools, and help ensure that our education system is preparing students for success in the long-term.

The Harmful Impact of School Schedules on Struggling Readers: A Brief Examination of Our Outdated Learning Models



The current school schedules may inadvertently punish students who struggle with reading because they do not allow for distributed re-practice over time, particularly re-exposure within an optimal learning window. Research in neuroscience has shown that distributed practice, or spacing out practice sessions over time, can lead to more effective learning and retention. However, many school schedules are designed with large blocks of instruction time, which may not be conducive to this type of learning.


For struggling readers, this can be especially challenging because they may need more opportunities for re-exposure and practice to build their skills. Without the ability to practice and review material within a short time frame, they may struggle to retain what they have learned, and their reading proficiency may suffer as a result.

Therefore, it is important for educators and policymakers to consider the impact of school schedules on student learning and to explore ways to incorporate distributed practice into classroom instruction. By providing students with more opportunities for re-exposure and practice within an optimal learning window, we can help struggling readers build their skills and improve their reading proficiency.