How Memorization, Repetition, and Consistency Lead to Learning Success

In today's episode of Classical Et Cetera, the table sits down to talk about memorization in its place in the framework of a classical Christian education. Does memorization actually help? Or are we just wasting our time "forcing kids to memorize everything"? Is it true that drills kill the enchantment and wonder of learning?
We don't think so. We believe that training the skills of memorization, repetition, and practice do far more to help develop student understanding, provide a gateway to mastery, and encourage success in the classroom. In today's episode we're going to share memorization success stories, study tools and aid for young learners, and provide a helpful strategy to encourage memorization in school and at home.
Memorization works. No tricks here, only proven methodology that legitimizes memorization as part of a robust and rigorous education. How do we do it? Join us on this episode of Classical Et Cetera to find out more.
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[@yourfriendinvermont2478]

I was a public school teacher and part of my duties was to have my students learn the European and African countries. During conferences with parents, multiple were upset at this because they thought their students could just look it up. Philosophically, and granted I was young and had little to back up my convictions, I thought memorization practice was useful for brain health and to build confidence as a learner. It was jarring how few agreed with me and they removed that aspect from the curriculum. The next year I became pregnant with my first child and my husband and I decided that I would stay home and homeschool.

[@loveneverfails0797]

Thank you for this conversation on memorization. I’m homeschooling my kiddos and so many of the moms in the homeschool world make memorization seem like the devil himself and the destroyer of the joy of education. My oldest is going into 4th grade and I’ve realized how the lack of emphasis on memorization has been really inhibiting him in some areas. He incredibly gifted in math but we had to go back because he didn’t have his math facts memorized and started to struggle. This year memorization will be the cornerstone of our schooling and I’m so excited to see the positive changes that will come from it. I truly think the hatred of memorization is a modern day attack on a true education.

[@lindsaysimplified]

This podcast is a game changer. I don’t think I could use anything else after listening to all these episodes the past few months. You really start to see where other curriculum doesn’t even come close to what you get with MP.

[@kaliki76]

Say it out loud 3x in a row per day, section by section. That always works for us.

[@user-so6fh1bu9f]

As an adult memorization is considered to be difficult, boring, a chore to be avoided. With children, memorization is like a game to play. They don't see any difficulties, they just see the fun of achieving a goal.

[@oliviarinck5886]

I was teaching my four year old the story of Samuel, and how he needed to be quiet and listen to hear God. She jumped in with "just like the wise old owl! The less he spoke the more he heard!". It really does all tie together and it is beautiful to watch. Once again, a wonderful discussion! Im looking forward to seeing how else MP is going to enrich my child's life 💕

[@Dreblueskies]

This is why I left a new fun math program for Rod and Staff. What you talk about here makes so much sense.

[@OrthodoxFamilyLife]

My oldest children, now in their early 20s, did lots of memorywork when they were young. By their teenage years they were memorizing several 10 minute speeches for speech and debate competitions. They recently told me how important this skill was and how much it helps them learn new material now.

[@Kiki-vb3sb]

Just wanted to say that I love these podcast episodes, please keep doing them!

[@user-so6fh1bu9f]

I found a marvelous book that attacks memorization in a new way. The book, "Ranieri Reverse Recall" by Luke Amadeus Ranieri. It makes the process simple in the sense of starting to memorize from the end forward. Each iteration includes starting with the last sentence, so as you move along you are repeating everything and adding a sentence at a time. Well worth teaching to all students. Luke gives lessons from his life, such as learning Latin, Greek and becoming an Army helicopter pilot, memorizing all the specifications and emergency procedures.

[@susieare]

Oh thanks for sharing. I'll look this up.

[@wewin1776]

Thank you for advocating memorization! “Memorization frees the mind”! I’m a big fan of memorizing things in learning, especially math facts for the young learners. Little anecdotal story: I had to fight my husband over teaching my son memorizing math facts because he thinks memorization “limits” the ability to process logic.

[@mkbestmaan]

Thank you so much. I truly love the philosophical determination or conviction of memorizing something meaningful as a habit, rather than just making journaling a habit.

[@user-so6fh1bu9f]

I believe the memorization necessary in learning Latin is an outstanding reason to study Latin. Memorizing declensions and conjugations are perfect for developing the mind.

[@angelaweaver9497]

It's recite and excite (not drill and kill).

[@lizs4644]

I really appreciate and enjoy these discussions. I enjoy seeing the close friendship between you all. Wonderful encouragement to stay the course of classical learning. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@maureenmiaullis6427]

I find reading and writing go hand in hand when it comes to memorization for me.

[@sarahlantto8913]

You memorize things when you are young, and you come BACK to it when you are older. And then it's not so hard. Train a child up in the way they should go and they will not soon depart from it.

[@CJP9694]

Thank you. Pax.

[@annachen4585]

Great podcast as always! You mentioned that your kids memorized all the counties in the world, do you have a suggestion or any tools to help with this? I’d love to try it with my kids as well 😊

[@qlauraq912]

Seterra is a free app or web-based game that all my kids and I play. In 5 min per day you can master the countries of the whole world in a couple years. It also has capitals, states, physical features, flag, and more.

[@hyzenthlay713]

I agree with the importance of math facts. My oldest is approaching 4th grade, and doesn't have any multiplication memorized aside from the 2's. But she can skip count effortlessly by 3s,4s,5s,6s,7s,8s,9s, 10s, and 11s. Do you have any tips on how to memorize multiplication facts? We do drills and flash cards, but she always ends up needing to skip count to reach the answer.

[@mrs.jaywojo5426]

Maybe demonstrate for her the logic behind it? Show her that multiplying is the short cut? Maybe she just needs to make that connection?

[@JenniferWoody-njss]

When my daughter was in public school she used Multiplication Smash-up, it can be found on KZbin. It is set to music and that seemed to help her.

[@lauraanthony773]

I’ve found writing them out by hand to be helpful. Some might call it tedious, but the writer is thinking carefully about each fact as is it written. 2x1=2, 2x2=4, 2x3=6, etc. and then alternated with flashcards until it starts to click, then the copywork can be dropped.

[@MilesMilesCrocodiles]

*I’ve changed this comment completely after hearing the last few minutes of the conversation * Wait, you’re against journaling? How is practicing how to write your own experiences and thoughts a waste of time? Memorization is a key foundation to learning that I do not discount the importance of. If you only ask your child to memorize what others say, how will they find their own voice and think for themselves? How will they learn to communicate their thoughts in a meaningful way? All memorization and no journaling to me sounds like programming a robot, not educating a child.

[@qlauraq912]

Journaling is not a good substitution for a structured writing program. It is a great personal discipline, but not a good use of class time. They are not against journaling period, but rather using class time to do it.

[@Mamaisawake]

How does a person get involved in the book clubs mentioned in these podcasts? Is it for students of the main school or can homeschool teachers get involved? Thank you!

[@jessicawood2353]

Where are the memory and recitation practice found in the curriculum?

[@memoriapress]

Hello! You can find memory and recitation in many places within our curriculum. From Kindergarten through Second Grade, we place a heavy emphasis on our students mastering the basics of reading, writing, and math. This is found in books such as our Memoria Math Challenge and Arithmetic Flashcards, and in our Phonics and Reading program, where we also have Phonics flashcards and drill students on memorizing basic grammar and phonics rules. We also have "recitation" lesson plans for these early grades, as well as in our later grades, that can be found in our Curriculum Manuals. This emphasis on memorization continues in similar format, but with increasing difficulty, as students move up in grades. We have a program called English Grammar Recitation, flashcards for many of our programs, instructional videos where students are encouraged to recite along with teachers (such as in subjects like Latin), and much more. Please let us know if you have any other questions or need anything else.

[@jessicawood2353]

@@memoriapress this is helpful, thank you! We have a few MP products and plan to move into using the full curriculum in the next school year.

[@susieare]

Whats the name of thr Shaker Poem mentioned just after 24:00 minutes? Thanks