Memory Work

Memory Work Secrets - Episode 363 Is memory work necessary? In my teaching life and as a homeschooler I wasn't positive that memory work was a must. With my first two children, it wasn't but then with my last three homeschooling students, it became part of the fabric of our homeschooler. Join Felice with special guest Laura Murfin. Sponsor! Overcomer Movie Trailer URL for Overcomer Movie:  Site URL for the Overcomer Movie All About Teaching: A Blog Post ~ Must Know Teaching Tips Laura Murfin has enjoyed homeschooling her six daughters for eleven years, along with her husband. The girls play soccer and are busy with church activities - as well as homeschool co-ops. Laura believes homeschooling is one of the best-kept secrets! It was a scary idea for her, but now it is a huge blessing! Laura began researching homeschooling and she and her husband were convinced that homeschooling was the right option for their family. She has appreciated the flexibility as their family grows and that homeschooling is affordable. Key To Homeschooling - Memory Work Customized Curriculum Kids memorize easily, Laura shares a story about her kids memorized a Bible story she read to them every night. This sparked the idea of memory work when they were younger and continues now into their high school years. She learned about a group of moms who had developed a full memory work curriculum. They had hired a professional singer to put the words into tunes. It was the perfect fit for her family. Her children say that they are so grateful that the family used memory work. It helped them with harder classes like Algebra II and Chemistry. How Does Memory Work Help Kids: * Listening to the memory work songs a little bit every day * Picture supplements - historical portraits, or pictures about what we were learning about in science * Used American Sign Language with the keywords kids were reciting * Using ASL motions along with memory work to communicate * Keeps the family accountable * Works with dyslexia * Helps kids who learn differently * Learn a lot of information in a short period of time. * Helps kids who are goal-oriented * Helps kids with upper-level subjects Five Examples of using Memory Work: * When working on memorizing something, we are practicing the words and starting to open our minds to what we are saying. We are developing “memory muscles” that continue to get stronger and are more able to take on more memory work challenges. More practice equals better memory. * Memorization is key to learning a new language. * Repetition is power. Repetition creates miracles. Highly successful people have really understood their area of expertise and can dynamically pass on the wealth of information they have acquired through their diligent study of their subject. * Memorization is a good practice for perseverance. * Even elite athletes who train every day see their movements are building their “muscle memory” to perform at the highest levels. It becomes a reflex that yields fine precision. This is a different aspect of memory, but it shows us how the practice of repetition refines us. Laura appreciates what Susan Wise Bauer has to say about memory work. “The first years of schooling are called the “grammar stage” because these are the years in which the building blocks for all other learning are laid, just as grammar is the foundation for language. In the elementary school years – grades 1 thro...