Memory Binder Pages
Ok, you asked, so here they are.
I have explained how our memory binders are set up, now here is how they are populated. We started memory work beyond Psalm 1 & the catechism in 2008, so this is 4 years’ worth of material. The passages listed include the ones planned for this coming school year. The hymns listed do not, so that’s only 3 years’ worth. Also, the Scripture is all ESV.
The hymn pages are just photocopied from our hymnals; I don’t have them in digital form right now.
Now, the Scripture memory work is, unfortunately, in no particular order. This bothers me to no end, but not enough for me to fix it. In our notebooks, they are all in order by their references. Because I have been helped immensely by those who have posted their lists of memory work, I thought I’d share that here, too, without making you download a file. In correct order, then, and not their order of appearance, I give you the table of contents.
But, before you freak out, and because you might not make it to the end of the page to see a caveat, know that my children can perfectly recite very few of these. They are very familiar with them all, and I hope our new review system will help us get to fairly-close recitation. I have most of them memorized now, but that’s because for me it’s mostly re-memorizing — they were already familiar, many were previously memorized, so I have a deeper foundation this is building on for me, whereas it’s all fresh for the children. I’m seeking more to begin and set their deep foundation that will be continually and cyclically renewed and built upon throughout their lives rather than perfect rote memory. I want familiarity, language patterns, and ideas to seep in, and because I am not a meticulous person, and much more a hack, we recite one passage and one Psalm daily for one term (6 weeks), whether it’s memorized in 2 weeks or not memorized yet by the end. Then, for better or for worse, it is replaced by the next term’s passage and Psalm and moves into the review tab, where it gets hit when we get to it (right now they all get reviewed about twice a term). This is my own personal “good enough” and “works for us,” because my priority is on keeping it simple, no-pressure, and about exposure, familiarity, and whole-idea rather than perfect articulation. There is a place for that, and if you can achieve that without stress and it’s working for you, then keep it and run with it! However, if memory work has been a stressful thing, don’t give it up! Just pare it back, remove the pressure and expectations, and remember that God’s Word is active and will bear fruit — getting it to them (and us!) and in them (and us!) is what counts. Also, perfectly articulated memory is easily and quickly lost if not reviewed constantly, as I know well from all I memorized week-to-week when I was young, having little to show for it a few months later. Even so, it was a foundation of familiarity that was not unfruitful.
Anyway, here’s what’s on the sheets:
Scripture Memory
Exodus 20:1-17
Micah 6:6-8
Matthew 6:5-13
Matthew 22:37-40
John 1:1-5, 9-14
John 3:14-18
Romans 10:9-11
Romans 12:1-5
1 Corinthians 13
Galatians 5:22-26
Galatians 6:7-10
Ephesians 2:4-10
Ephesians 4:25-32
Ephesians 6:1-3
Philippians 4:4-9
Colossians 1:9-23
Colossians 3:12-17
1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
2 Timothy 3: 14-17
Hebrews 4:12-16
Hebrews 11:1-16
1 Peter 1:3-19
1 John 1:5-9
Psalm 1
Psalm 8
Psalm 19
Psalm 24
Psalm 25
Psalm 29
Psalm 32
Psalm 42
Psalm 46
Psalm 92
Psalm 104
Psalm 112
Psalm 115
Psalm 139
Creeds
Apostle’s
Nicene
Heidelberg Lord’s Day 1
Heidelberg
Q&A: 1, 2, 12, 13, 27, 32, 60, 66, 81, 86, 116
Hymns
Be Thou My Vision
Christ Shall Have Dominion (Psalm 72, Psalter Hymnal)
The Church’s One Foundation
Crown Him with Many Crowns
For All the Saints
The God of Abraham Praise
God the Lord is Known in Judah (Psalm 76, Cantus Christi)
Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah (Psalm 148, Psalter Hymnal)
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
Holy, Holy, Holy
Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun
Let Israel Now Say in Thankfulness (Psalm 124, Cantus Christi)
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
This is My Father’s World
[...] sheets we populate our binders with are now available, along with a list of what’s in our binders so far. No reason we all have to copy and paste [...]
Thanks so much for sharing, Mystie! Your memory binder idea really helped me think through how to do memory work with my kiddos. After spending a month on vacation, my 4.5 yo couldn’t remember any memory verses and very little catechism! So now we’re working on one “new” (learned before, but clearly not very well!) and one review item a day. I read memory verses at breakfast and catechism at lunch time, and the boys repeat after me. Once we’re ready to add new memory verses I’ll have to look through your list. We really enjoyed our visit with you back in July!
You’re welcome, Emily! It was nice to meet you, too. :) I do hope the job works out for your husband, because it’d be great to have you here!
Yes, memory work is easily lost, unfortunately. That’s why I wanted to set up a system with frequent review and why I don’t stress over performing perfectly. Another way to get in review I did more often when the boys were younger is a CD with the memory work on it (recorded on the computer) to listen to during naptime or in the car. I’m trying to get back to that again after realizing I’ve been slacking when it comes to my 3yo’s memory work.
Thanks, this is very helpful!
I really appreciated your thoughts about the memorization not needing to be perfect and focusing on building a familiarity. So sensible and freeing, I can imagine especially so when you’re working with multiple kids.