Notice any competing activity, such as outside distractions or a disruptive student. Students may lose their focus, but the teacher can point out a rule on the wall when a student begins getting distracted.
Allow students time to chunk information like the letters in a spelling word by syllable. Also, students can physically act out and practice skills. For example, students can work with play money in math or write a letter to an author in language arts.
Use the information in more than one class period. Give students time to practice new skills in small groups. Give a reasonable amount of homework, and review that skill in later lessons.
Repeat that skill regularly using various approaches until the answers come automatically. For example, use manipulatives like cubes to count items, make multiplication tables and assess the students speed and skill by using review cards when learning multiplication.
Use these practices to improve students' memory in the classroom by making students accountable to the rules, standards and practices of the classroom.