Tips for Memory Master Proofing!

There are three cycles of memory work in Classical Conversations and every three years, we all start over with Cycle 1.  Memory Master was originally intended for older students who had already been through that cycle of memory work in the past, giving them an extra incentive to work hard on memorizing the memory work.  I think this is still the best reason to encourage students to strive toward the goal of memory master.  However, sometimes there are students whose natural ability to memorize is exceptional and they are able to do it the first time through a cycle or they will not have an opportunity to come through the cycles again.  I would not encourage or push them to go for memory master, unless they are in their last three years of Foundations, meaning that if they are going to turn 10, 11, or 12 years old during that year, then I might encourage the student to work toward memory master from the beginning of the year to see if it is possible for them to accomplish this goal.

Our Christmas break is a great time to do some extra review activities to prepare for Memory Master proofing in the spring.  For the children who are striving towards the goal of memory master, the weeks between our first and second semester give them time to solidify and master the memory work of the first semester, while also doing some extra preparation for the second semester.  In general, we do not work ahead on memory work through the year, we only practice the current week's work, while reviewing material that has already been introduced in class.  However, the four week proofing process for memory master begins before the students has been introduced to the last weeks of memory work.  So, we like to practice Week 23 and Week 24 over Christmas break and review the Presidents Song.  We might even go ahead and work on Week 21 or 22 during our early spring break, so my daughter will not be learning new information, but will only be reviewing memory work during the last few weeks of class, while she is also proofing for memory master.  Many CC communities complete their Week 4 of proofing during Week 24 of Foundations, so that is why the students need to go ahead and prepare the memory work over Christmas or spring break.  Most successful memory masters do this, so it is not a secret, but I thought I should share this idea with those of you who may be new to the process.

Memory Master Proofing Process
Week 1:  A parent proofs all of the memory work for the whole year, but the students is allowed to miss up to three facts or sentences, so they need to really work on anything that was missed before the next round of proofing. 
Week 2:  Another parent proofs all of the memory work and the student may miss one in each category.  This helped my daughter gain confidence in reciting the memory work for another person, so I chose a mom we are very close with, who would be positive and encouraging to her.
Week 3:  This is where the student needs to recite ALL of the memory work for his/her tutor with 100% accuracy.  This is where the student really needs to show mastery of the information, but if he forgets something briefly, you can come back to it later and let them try it again.  We talk about grace vs. perfection.
Week 4:  By this time, the student should have already showed complete mastery of all the memory work, so the director does a "spot check" of each subject, proofing about 20% of the material.  This just shows the director a sample of the mastery of the material that the student has already accomplished.

Tips:

• Read through the Memory Master Guide that Classical Conversations has written for you.  You can ask your Director for this booklet of information that explains the guidelines in detail.  It will help you and your student prepare! 
• Practice the new grammar thoroughly and consistently every week, starting with week 1.
• Review memory work each week from previously learned material.  We like to use the cd or the app for review.  Some people set up a notebook or print off pages of the memory work for their student to use, but the real mastery will be shown orally through the proofing process.
• During the last quarter, I would start doing subject reviews from Week 1 through the current week or whatever your child has learned.  This helps them get used to the way they will be asked the questions during proofing.
• Children who will be 10 and older by January 1 need to recite their math facts, not just the skip counting songs, so decide early which way your student would do their best at showing their mastery of the math facts.  (This can be done with writing out all of the facts, giving the answers to random math flashcards, or reciting the facts in order.)
• Know the timeline song!  Students can say or sing the song, but I really think it is the best way for many of us to remember such a long string of historical events in order!