Memorization

I took a break from this blog and now I don't quite know where to start. Business has been very busy, so the spare time that I do have is spent working with Jared on memorization.  I have always been known for my memory. In school, it was the top thing I never had to worry about. There are times in my life where I have begged God to erase ridiculous numbers and events that, I was certain, were cluttering up my brain. Every time there was a puzzle or anything to do with memory, my friends would often say that no one needed to write it down because I was there and would just remember it. Let me tell you, remembering a lot of things can be a blessing and a curse. I don't expect either of my kids to have a memory like mine, however I also know that memorization can make things a lot easier.

This school year, I am in awe of Jared's memorization skills. I guess I had read so much about APD kids not memorizing well, that I had already sentenced him to a life without memorization. Each week when we work on his scripture memory, he not only memorizes a few sentences, he also remembers the scripture later, when you ask him. Sure, there are a few "the" and "a" and adjective mishaps, which is normal for APD. However, he has said each one with perfection, at least a couple times. The reference numbers are more difficult. He sometimes can't distinguish between 13 and 30 when he hears it. Psalm 13 soon becomes 30 or 14 becomes 40.

The students in his class are numbered. They do things in order of their numbers. Jared is number one. So, he actually has to say his scripture first. He doesn't even get to hear others say it to remember it. This makes me so proud.

You know what else makes me proud? All that home schooling we did last summer is now sprouting benefits. The students are memorizing words and Jared already knows them! We worked on them throughout the summer, so he's ahead of the game. That gives us extra time to go over some really hard words that will be more difficult for him to spell. Yesterday morning, when he woke up, he even grabbed his 100 flashcards of words and started drilling himself! Go, Jared!

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 (NKJ)