Some ‘Start-Now’ Homework!

Hello Class!

This Sunday, we actually talked about the brain.  Why the brain in a religious ed class? To make a long story short, we know that everyone learns differently and that it is our goal to have you learn all you can in an easier, enjoyable way that will help you to remember things in less time.  Have you ever had an annoying kid in the back of the class who never seemed to pay attention, barely took notes or studied, and got great grades with little effort?  We want you to be that kid! (minus the annoying part, of course).  Not only do we want you to really like learning about your faith and keep it in your long-term memory it, but you also want you to have more success at school, with less effort, and more time to do the other things you enjoy.

So essentially, we want you to be able to memorize, without memorizing.  Before our next class, we’re going to have you discover which learning strategies work the best for you! 

The Memorare Challenge

To discover what we hope to about your best learning style, we actually need something to memorize.  What better way to do this then by learning the prayer to the Blessed Mother called the Memorare.

But like I said during class, we DO NOT want you to overdo it, or cram words into your head (short-term memory) for just the day.  Not only are we going to slowly and gently learn a new prayer over time, but we will use this opportunity to help you discover the easiest way for you to make things ‘stick’ with less effort.  YOU ARE NOT TO SPEND MORE THAN 10 MINUTES EACH DAY ON THIS!  If you do more than that, you’re not discovering what is easiest – and that’s part of our goal here.

So here’s how I’d like you to roll…

Days 1-2  Perhaps your a repetition learner.  Recite the Hail Holy Queen aloud twice, line by line.

Days 3-4 – Perhaps you’re a imagery learner.  Doodle each line of the Hail Holy Queen while saying it aloud, twice each day.

Days 5-6 – Perhaps you are a muscle-memory learner.  Handwrite the prayer twice each day, but mouth the words while you are writing.

Day 7 – Take it easy for this day.  Just whisper the prayer as you go to bed.

Days 8-9 – Perhaps you’re an auditory learner.   Can you put the words to music?  Is there a decent song with a good tune that work with the words?  Try to sing the entire prayer twice, either aloud, or your head.  Do this twice each day.

Days 10-11 – Perhaps you’re a visual learner.  If you have access to the Internet, watch the following video twice each day, while whispering it to yourself.  Be certain you are moving your lips.

For those of you who were not at class, here is the Memorare.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

The next time we meet, we will talk about your experience, but we will pray the Memorare as well.

Game on!