Memory Master

I just completed the Memory Master challenge for Classical Conversations!

This year our director opened up the Memory Master opportunity for any interested parents. I think it was a fabulous idea.

It gives a parent the opportunity to set a good example of setting goals and working toward them. It allows parents to experience the process first-hand and empathize with their children going through the same process. It also fosters an atmosphere of camaraderie and encourages parents and children to work together toward a mutual goal.

What does a Memory Master accomplish?

Four proofs (reciting ALL of the memory work to another adult in one sitting). Mastery (but not perfection) is required. Self-correction is allowed, but the Memory Master must be able to recall all of the information with prompts but no hints or help.

Cycle 3 memory work (which is probably the easiest of the 3 cycles):

*22 U.S. history sentences with dates

(e.g. “In 1917, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on the Central Powers two years after German U-Boats sank the Lusitania, killing American citizens.”)

*The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights (simple list form)

*160 timeline events (in chronological order) from early civilizations to modern America

*All 44 presidents in chronological order

*37 Latin vocabulary words

*3 Latin rules

*John 1:1-7 in Latin (from the Vulgate) and then translated into English

*12 human body systems (lists—about 52 items)

(e.g. “Bones that make up the axial skeleton are cranium, vertebrae, ribs, and sternum.”)

*2 chemistry definitions, parts of an atom, and the first 12 elements of the periodic table by number, name, symbol, and mass (rounded)

*6 sentences about science and scientific theories

(e.g. “Uniformitarianism is the belief that Earth’s past geological changes can be fully explained by current processes.”)

*All 50 states and capitals and more than 70 U.S. geographical features (mountains, lakes, rivers, trails, territories, canals, etc.)

*8 English grammar definitions

*Verb principle parts, sentence structures, and sentence patterns

*13 Irregular verbs (principle parts: infinitive, present, past, present participle, and past participle)

(e.g. “to lie, lie(s), lay, lying, lain”)

*Skip counting/times tables 1-15 plus squares (up to 15x15) and cubes (up to 10x10x10)

*4 measurement conversions, 5 geometry formulas, and 4 laws

(e.g. “The Distributive Law states a(b+c)=ab+ac.”)

And I think that’s it. Whew!!!

 

Congratulations to my friends Char and Christina for taking on this challenge, as well! And their kids at 7,8, and 9 years old!