Wait a minute.  Don't you believe it. Nothing could be further from the truth for a person still experiencing early childhood.  Memorization builds strength of mind, develops persistence, confidence, and provides for a strong sense of accomplishment that is measurable.  Moreover, it nurtures the working knowledge which is needed to draw connections and conclusions associated with higher level thinking.  Complex thought cannot take place without the ability to manipulate information mentally.  You have to first hold a large and diverse amount of  factoids in your brain before any analysis can take place.  It's very difficult to master calculus if you have to stop and bother with multiplication.  Likewise, for our students, multiplication and subtraction become loathsome activities when addition and subtraction cannot be calculated mentally at lightening speed.  Just try reading without having the alphabet and the corresponding sounds memorized.

  

So, embrace the rote.  For now.  Fortunately,  Monica Ros has lots of fun ways to develop and strengthen memory.  And so do you!  Repetition is key.  Interest is helpful.  Children who haven't yet learned to read with confidence, can be helped by verbal repition, yours and theirs:  Repeat after me! Say it again! The pathway to memory begins with sounds.  The early childhood period of development rely's heavily on memorization.  Therefore, the skill is ready to be developed.  Make hay while the sun shines.  Memorization will never be easier than it is right now. 

  

Thank you for considering!  Susan

 

Children's author Derek Taylor Kent dropped by last Friday to talk to us about the elements of a story:  plot, characters, conflict, theme, and setting. Derek wrote his first story in third grade!  His most recent books are all about Scary School where you might have a teacher who's a vampire and a best friend who's a zombie.  While he was with us he told us an interactive story that had the audience (us!) deciding what happened next. 

 

   Third Grader slave over the hot bbq-no, wait, that was Brian Golbere and Karena Regan pictured below.  The third graders serve lunch to the kindergarten, gradeschool and any parents who stop by.   Each bbq takes the third grade closer to their year-end bbq.

Many Thanks to all the Third Grade parents!

    

PAM Green Committee Chair, Eliza Moses, shared   several activities to help us celebrate Earth Day.  Below, Luca and Casper  plant some seeds.

  

 

Green Room mothers enjoyed their party, but they won't believe what happens in first grade until they see it for themselves.

  

Sherilyn and Aurora take a moment to savor the sweetness of the day.