What a Memory!

I have been alluding for awhile now that Nicholas had something big in the works.  I am proud to reveal that Nicholas is a Memory Master this year for CC!  He wasn't sure that he was going to try for it, but he worked hard on his weak areas and accomplished his goal.  Not only did he know the information, but he was able to recite it very quickly.  It took him only about 40 minutes.  The average time is usually 1-1 ½ hours.  I knew he could do because he worked so hard this year!

I told him that we would be proud of him whether he passed or not.  But, I’m glad the hard work paid off.  This year’s campus will have 4 Memory Masters.  Two are from my class!  We actually all met on Friday at one family’s house to do the third proof.  The first proof is done by a parent.  The second is done by the other parent, or another adult.  The third proof is done by the child’s tutor (or another tutor if your child is in your class).  This is the proof that you need to know everything!  Then, the director spot checks it by asking about 25% of the material.

Next week is our campus’ closing ceremony.  All the kids will be recognized for their participation.  Then, the Memory Masters will get additional recognition.  They will also receive a certificate and a Memory Master t-shirt.

Nicholas told me that I could probably be Memory Master too, but I think he actually knows more than me.  I think I know a good portion though.  Just to give you an idea of some of the things he’s memorized.  Here is a small list:

A chronological timeline of 161 events and people

24 U.S. history sentences, including the Preamble of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

All the states and capitals (including their location) and other geographical features of the U.S., such as rivers, mountains, lakes, trails, etc.

24 science facts, including the first 12 elements of the periodic table and different parts of the body

Latin rules and vocabulary including John 1:1-7 in Latin and English

English grammar including the principal parts of 11 irregular verbs

He skip counted multiplication tables up through 15 x 15, some basic geometry formulas and unit conversions

That’s just a lot of information!  To say that we are enjoying Classical Conversations is an understatement.  What Nicholas has memorized is allowing him to put memory pegs in while he is young.  That way when he is ready to expand on the information he will already have learned the basics and won’t have to memorize them when he is older. 

We have seen the benefits with Daniel too.  As we drove home from the tutor proof on Friday, Nicholas told me to listen.  Here Daniel was singing, “To ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”  Yes, that came out of my almost 3-year-old’s mouth.  That is the end of the Preamble to the Constitution.  He’s getting his memory pegs in early.

So, if you see Nicholas, I’m sure he’ll be happy to share some of these facts with you.  We’re so proud of him!