Memorization

As a family we are memorizing the book of Titus. The older boys will be doing this for their Sunday School class that starts this Sunday, so Chris thought it would be good for the whole family to do it as well. Everyone is doing great! We practice every night after dinner and our family devotion has been read. Here's what we have so far: "

(1) Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, (2) in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, (3) but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,

(4) To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. (5) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, (6) namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.

Memorization is a great skill to have, whether you are memorizing scripture, songs, or poems. Obviously, scripture has many more benefits than the others, but the skill of memorizing is a great exercise for your brain.

What are you memorizing?

The Importance of Memorization

This is an article I read recently on memorization. I usually write Scripture or poems on a paper and hang them up so we are constantly reminded of them. This helps the visual learners in our family! :-) Hope you enjoy this.

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Memorization: a simple, effective, and often-forgotten method of learning.

Why should your child memorize Scripture and poetry? Memorization stocks the mind with beautiful language. It influences the heart by providing fodder for meditation. Besides, it's fun!

Getting Started

Begin by reading aloud the passage you would like to memorize. Read it again. And read it once more. Do this frequently: at mealtimes, before rest times, or at other times that work well for your family. Soon, your child will be able to say the passage along with you. Keep doing this, and someday you will hear him recite the passage to a friend, grandparent, or even to himself as he plays. After introducing one passage, you can add another until you are working on several simultaneously. When the passage has been over-learned, the frequency of reading (by now, reciting) can be reduced. You can find a more thorough explanation of this method in Ruth Beechick's book, A Biblical Home Education (B & H Publishing Group, 2007).

Memorization stocks the mind with beautiful language. It influences the heart by providing fodder for meditation. Besides, it's fun!

For our family, I print out the Scripture passage or poem we are memorizing and place it at the beginning of my notebook (right behind the attendance chart). We start our lessons each day by reading and reciting poems and Scriptures.

Memorization Practice

I suggest that you begin your family habit of memorization with one of the following poems:

The first comes from Sing-Song by Christina Rossetti (Dover, 1968).

Brown and furry

Caterpillar in a hurry,

Take your walk

To the shady leaf, or stalk,

Or what not,

Which may be the chosen spot.

No toad spy you,

Hovering bird of prey pass by you;

Spin and die,

To live again a butterfly.

October's Party

by George Cooper

October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came-

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,

And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet,

And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing,

Professor Wind the band.
The Chestnuts came in yellow,

The Oaks in crimson dressed;

The lovely Misses Maple

In scarlet looked their best;

All balanced to their partners,

And gaily fluttered by;

The sight was like a rainbow

New fallen from the sky.
Then, in the rustic hollow,

At hide-and-seek they played,

The party closed at sundown,

And everybody stayed.

Professor Wind played louder;

They flew along the ground;

And then the party ended

In jolly "hands around."

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