Make memorization painless

Posted by Chris | 1 comment

Mnemonic devices are super glue for the mind

The lines and spaces were stretched out before me like an endless trek. Dots on or between those lines were supposed to translate to music? Impossible.

But then I discovered that Every Good Boy Does Fine (and Every Good Bird Does Fly) and All Cows Eat Grass (and unfortunately, All Cars Eat Gas) and we all have a FACE. Suddenly, music – at least the reading of it – was easy.

Mnemonic devices, handy ways to remember a list, have all new appeal to me as a homeschool teacher. Once learned, I know they will stick with my son forever, long after he has left our little classroom. I can guarantee he will be the dad helping his child with the classification of living things by announcing that King Phillip Came Over For Good Spaghetti ¹.

Mentioning this rediscovered technique recently I found that it is used from beginning piano students to college kids taught by a friend. At my mention of King Phillip, he countered with “Help Five Police To Find Ten Missing Prisoners ²” and “Happy Henry Lithely Began Baking Cakes, Not Omitting Four Necessities ³.”

Though I want my son to have a deep understanding of what we study, along with the ability to apply it in real life, sometimes you just have to memorize a list. Mnemonic devices make it painless. Search online for mnemonics for just about everything you could possibly have to memorize in school – or work with your child to make your own.

In the meantime, while I gaze upon Roy G. Biv ⁴, Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally ⁵.

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1. Taxonomic order: Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species
2. The bones of the lower limb: Hip, Femur, Patella, Tibia, Fibula, Tarsals, Metatarsals, Phalanges
3. Elements 1 – 10 of the Periodic Table: Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Beryllium, Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Flourine, Neon
4. The colors of the rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
5. Order of Operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction

Chris Worthy is mom to Caroline (15) and Nolan (10) and will soon celebrate 20 years of marriage to her favorite person, John. Chris practiced law before becoming a writer and stay-at-home mother more than 10 years ago. She enjoys cooking, crafting, spoiling dogs, green living and rummaging though old books. Follow along at www.chrisworthy.com