Efficient techniques for memorization are the key to learning any new subject. Here is a permanent system to keep your memory work organized for repetitive review!
God's Word instructs us to treasure His Word in our hearts.
Memorizing not only Scripture but also different types of information:
math, vocabulary words or recipes - will serve us well in all areas of life.
By systematically reviewing memory work, we will be sure to have that information in our brain,
wherever God leads us in life - with or without technology to assist us.
"Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You."
- Psalm 119:11
Here are instructions to create a permanent system
to review any memory work you or your children will memorize!
These basic instructions are completely customizable to your needs, and are
especially designed for the Classical Conversations Foundations, Essentials AND Challenge programs.
Suggested Supplies
1. Any file box, basket or click here to see another option.
2. CC Suggestion: One file box for Foundations and Essentials + a separate box for Challenge
3. Index cards (3 x 5) - 100 count or 1000 count
4. Scissors
5. Pens or markers
6. Cardstock for dividers or click here to use these pre-made index card dividers
7. Your collection of memory cards
Memory Card Examples:
Bible verse cards
CC memory work cards
IEW vocabulary words
Latin vocabulary
Logic vocabulary
phonogram flashcards
pre-made cards
handwritten index cards
...anything you want to review / memorize on a regular basis...
Foundations / Essentials Memory Box
These steps are suggested ideas.
Feel free to design a memory box system that works for you!
Dividers - Section 1
Use the following THREE headings for the dividers in Section 1
Daily
Odd
Even
Memory cards - Section 1
Daily
CURRENT weekly memory work recited daily until recited from memory a few days in a row
Weekly cards remain in DAILY for at least 1 week
Mastered (memorized) cards move behind the ODD divider
Odd
MASTERED memory work recited on odd calendar days x 1 week
Memorized cards move behind the EVEN divider
If recitation is incorrect or the information is not truly memorized, move the card back to the DAILY divider
Even
MASTERED memory work recited on even calendar days x 1 week
If recitation is incorrect or the information is not truly memorized, move the card back to the DAILY divider
Memorized cards then move behind the appropriate Section 2 divider
ALL new memory work will be recited at least x 3 weeks using the above method.
Dividers - Section 2
Use weekdays that you are NOT at your community day.
For example, a CC Community that meets on Thursday would use the following headings:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Friday
Memory cards - Section 2
Memory work cards that have been recited from memory x 3 weeks (Daily, Odd, Even) are then moved to Section 2.
You can arrange your cards in any order you wish.
Suggestion:
Choose subjects per day to review in this section.
For a CC Thursday community, you may review the following subjects like this:
Monday
Science / Math
Tuesday
English / Latin / IEW Vocabulary
Wednesday
History / Timeline
Friday
Geography / Bible
On each school day, set aside about 20 minutes to review CURRENT year memory work.
First, practice reciting the memory work behind the DAILY divider.
Second, if today's date is October 19, review the cards behind the ODD divider.
Third, if the day of the week is Monday, review the Science and Math cards behind the MONDAY divider.
Current Year Memory Work - Sections 1 & 2
Sections 1 and 2 will be comprised of all your memory work for the CURRENT year.
Using this method, all memory work for the current year will be reviewed once per week.
Previous Year(s) Memory Work - Section 3
Section 3, the last section of your memory box, will house all of your PREVIOUS memory work.
Using this method, all memory work for past years will be reivewed once per month.
Dividers - Section 3
Label 24 dividers with the numbers 1 to 24
Memory cards - Section 3
Memory work cards that are from past cycles are kept in this section.
For example, all Week 1 cards for every subject in Cycles 1, 2 and 3 are behind the 1 divider.
Here is an example of the cards behind the 5 divider:
On each school day, set aside about 10 minutes to review PREVIOUS memory work.
Pick 1 or 2 numbers and review the information behind that divider.
For example, on Monday, October 19, we are scheduled to review everything behind the 11 and 12 dividers.
Since it's memorized information, reviewing the cards should progress quickly.
Challenge Memory Box
Here is a modification from the above system to study Latin vocabulary using the memory box system.
Feel free to design a Challenge memory box system that works for you!
Dividers - Daily
Use the following TWO headings for the dividers in the Daily Section
Daily 1 - Latin to English
Daily 2 - English to Latin
Memory cards - Daily
Daily 1 - Latin to English
Recite Latin to English consistently 3 days in a row
Move to Daily 2
Daily 2 - English to Latin
Recite English to Latin consistently 3 days in a row
Move to Weekly dividers
Dividers - Weekly
Use weekdays that you are NOT at your community day.
For example, a CC Community that meets on Tuesday would use the following headings:
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Memory cards - Weekly
Divide the cards evenly among the 4 weekdays
Move to Monthly dividers when words can be written from memory English to Latin
Dividers - Monthly
Use the following FOUR dividers in the Monthly section:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Memory cards - Monthly
Divide the cards evenly among the 4 weeks
Review these cards during the current week of the month
You are never behind!
With this system, you can resume after an absence and start where you need.
If something is forgotten or needs reivew,
move it to the appropriate review divider and work that card through the system.
Another benefit to this system is that you are never behind...
you just need to use the system to memorize the information that you do not recall!
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,
with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another
with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
- Colossians 3:16
