When we memorize, we want to use all the senses we can. It is best to combine as many sensory inputs as possible to flood the brain with a variety of different perspectives.
- Making flashcards is tactile. Make physical cards and play “flip” or “scramble” games with the cards. Play beanbag toss in a circle while reciting together. Color the Hebrew Alef-Bet coloring pages (coming). Tactile game-play gives the body a way to express itself and releases physical stress while taking in new information. Tactile learning is most fun when the activities are shared with others in a group or one-on-one setting. Role play is another way to impress meaning into the words. What is happening in each verse?
- We use our visual senses to read the text, scout for missing words on the FITB sheets, and using color coding to visually “chunk” the passage into smaller sections help our visual memory.
- Audial memorization uses the hearing. Playing the audio-clips, group or individual recitations helps our brain take in sounds and patterns or repetitions. Creating or listening to scripture songs based on the passages can also be a pleasant way to immerse oneself in the words and concepts. Listening, even when not reciting, is a passive form of learning, especially when repeated often and consistently. Recitation is another form of audial learning whereby the brain hears your own voice as muscles work the word formations in the lips, mouth/jaw and tongue and the voice resonates. Reading and reciting at the same time employs visual (V) and audial (A) senses. Writing (or unscrambling cards, throwing bean bags, etc), reading and reciting simultaneously employs all three senses V-A-Tactile (V-A-T, or V-A-Kinetic)!
Use a Method
It is most effective to use a procedure when memorizing. Here is a sample procedure.
- Read the octrain, and paraphrased prayer.
- Download the printed study pages. Challenge your study-mate(s). Make it a game!
- Spend time meditating on the passage using the Activities on the Reverse FITB poster.
- Listen to the audio recording as you view the FITB poster. Try to recite with the audio clip voice. Evaluate your progress. Don’t write in the blanks until you feel you are ready to do so by memory alone.
- WALK AWAY from memorizing for a while. Passively listen to the audio clip daily as review. Reflect, but don’t try to recite if it is a strain.
- COME BACK to any of the memorization activities and see how much has been forgotten (this is normal), and how much you have memorized! Play the audio clip and recite with the audio voice. Use whatever method helps most and study again, but keep it light and pleasant.
- Repeat steps 1-6. When you revisit the octrains in this way, more will have happened in life and you will find its relevance to be fresh every time. Keep reviewing!
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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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© 2019, by ReadPsalm119.com. Rev. Oct. 22, 2024.
