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Memorize through Stories

Tags

Science Social Studies ELA: Reading Study Skills & Tools All Ages Strategy

Skills

Working Memory Verbal Memory Abstract Reasoning Visual Memory

Memorize through Stories

If your student struggles with rote memorization, particularly if their creative reasoning skills are stronger than their memory skills

Instruction And Practice

  1. Objective: Students will create and use stories to help them remember detailed information.
  2. Explain why. Stories are far more engaging than learning straight facts, so if we create an interesting story about the information, we are much more likely to understand and remember it. You can do this with vocabulary words, or facts you learn in science or social studies class.
  3. Model and Practice: Use current learning material. If it is a list of vocabulary words, help students use several of the words in a short story that highlights the word meanings. For new material in science, have students tell the story of their own experiences with the concept. For example, learning about the water cycle, a student can recall last time it rained. Keep stories to 3-4 sentences. Have students study their stories at home that night, and then recall the material in class the next day. Discuss if and how the stories helped them remember more easily.
  4. Add Visuals: Pairing pictures along with writing down the story can help. Have students draw out simple steps in their story to help them remember the information. Using storytelling apps can also be a great option.

Why It Works (the Science Of Learning)!

Stories are far more engaging than learning factual information, so if we create an engaging story we are more likely to remember. In addition, connecting items to be remembered into a narrative gives them meaning, and helps students understand information in a logical sequence, allowing them to more easily remember and recall information.