I have been asked quite a few times to provide tips for memorization. While it is best for kids to understand the how, some things, like spelling and multiplication facts, may take a long time to commit to memory without exercise. There are a ton of fun games online, but if you want to do some games at home, here are a few ideas.
Math Fact: is a whole equation, for instance, 9×3=27
Math Problem is incomplete, for instance, 9×3
Commute: (Spelling or Multiplication Facts)
The child will have a sheet of information (spelling words or math facts) in one room and a blank sheet of paper in another room. The child will look at the first word or problem on the sheet of paper then walk to the other room where they will spell the word (IE Rhythm R H Y T H M, rhythm, R H Y T H M) or say the problem (9×3=27, nine times three equals twenty-seven, nine times three equals twenty-seven) out loud while walking repeatedly until they arrive. They will then write down the information and return for the next word or problem until all the problems are completed.
Toss the Ball Spelling – Solo
The child will have a sheet of paper with their words on it. They will throw the ball against the wall each time they say a letter in the word out loud.
IE Rhythm R throw and catch ball H throw and catch ball Y throw and catch ball T throw and catch ball H throw and catch ball M throw and catch ball
Alt: Child can throw the ball into the air or roll the ball into the wall
Toss the Ball Spelling – Team
The child will have a sheet of paper with their words on it. They will throw the ball to the other person each time they say a letter in the word out loud. The child can say each letter or you can alternate letters.
IE Rhythm R throw to you H you throw back Y throw to you T you throw back H throw to you M you throw back
Alt: you can roll the ball back and forth or play with more than two people
Toss the Ball Math Facts – Solo
The child will work on one set of math facts and say each number in the series, skip counting until they get to the pre-determined end.
IE working on threes times tables
3 throw and catch ball 6 throw and catch ball 9 throw and catch ball 12 throw and catch ball 15 throw and catch ball 18 throw and catch ball 21 throw and catch ball 24 throw and catch ball 27 throw and catch ball 30 throw and catch ball
Alt: Child can throw the ball into the air or roll the ball into the wall
Toss the Ball Math Facts – Team
The child will work on one set of math facts and say each number in the series, skip counting until they get to the pre-determined end.
IE working on threes times tables
the child can say all the facts or you can alternate
3 throw to you 6 you throw back 9 throw to you 12 you throw back 15 throw to you 18 you throw back 21 throw to you 24 you throw back 27 throw to you 30 you throw back
Alt: you can roll the ball back and forth
Toss the Ball Math Facts 2- Team
You will throw the ball back and forth, you start and state a problem, like 2×7
The child catches and says “14” then gives you a problem
Alt: you can roll the ball back and forth
Large Muscle Movement (Spelling and Math)The child will have a sheet of information (spelling words or math facts) and the child will either spell out the words in the air, making the letters as big as they can or draw the numbers in the air for the math problems.
In the Car – or Waiting
Make use of time when you normally aren’t doing much else. In the car, waiting in line, walking in the store, wherever you can. Quiz your child on their math facts or try to skip count. Alternate spelling words from a list.
Skip Counting Race:
On Monday, have your child skip count by the number you are working on for the week. Time how long it takes for them to get to the end (up to 10. 12, or 15 numbers).
Then have them complete the task again at the end of the week to see the improvement.
Skip counting is an easy way for children to learn their multiplication tables and a good reference for them when they get stuck.
Challenge YourselfKids will find it fun if you join in on the learning. Create a spelling list or math fact list that is challenging for you and work on memorizing it. Play games with your child and alternate between them quizzing you and you quizzing them.
MemoryCreate a memory game of spelling words or math problems and answers. The spelling game would have matching words, where each time you pick you have to say the word and spell it.
The math facts game would have the problems matching the solutions, so one card would have 9×3 and its match would be 27.
Flip It
Create cards with the spelling words or math facts on them. The child would look at the word or fact.
Spelling: The child would say the word spell it, flip the card face down, say it spell it again, then write it down on a piece of paper. Then move onto the next card/word.
Math: The child would say the fact, flip the card face down, say it again, then write it down on a piece of paper. Then move onto the next card/fact.
Trace, Copy, Recall
Fold a piece of paper into thirds. Label the first column ‘trace’, the next ‘copy’ and the last ‘recall’. Spelling:
Write the each word in the ‘trace’ column for your child. Then have your child trace the letters in column one. Next, have them copy the word into the ‘copy’ column by looking at the word in the ‘trace’ column. Finally, have them fold (and hide) the first two columns and recall the spelling on their own. Have them do one word at a time, completing all three steps before moving onto the next word.
Math:
Write the each fact in the ‘trace’ column for your child. Then have your child trace the numbers in column one. Next, have them copy the math fact into the ‘copy’ column by looking at the word in the ‘trace’ column. Finally, have them fold (and hide) the first two columns and recall the fact on their own. Have them do one fact at a time, completing all three steps before moving onto the next fact.
Be Creative:
Children can create artwork with markers, glitter, crayons, incorporating their spelling words or math facts. You can have them write each one on a piece of paper with a different color, do one big one and decorate it, they can write them on masking tape, or even use window markers and write them out on the window or mirror.
Rice or Shaving Cream
Fill a shallow baking pan with rice or shaving cream. Then have the child spell out their word on the pan or write the math fact. They can ‘erase’ it by smoothing back over the pan with a flat hand.
Got Your Back
Have your child write their spelling word or math fact on your back with their finger and you try to guess what it is they are writing.
Author: Amber Louchart
Amber is the proud mother to four beautiful children, Damian (27), Rosaleigh (14), Carlyn (11), and Naomi (8). Her family also includes four cats. She loves being a stay-at-home mom and feels blessed to be able to care for her children full-time and provide them with so many opportunities through Metro Detroit Mommy. In addition to Metro Detroit Mommy, Amber has a passion for hosting karaoke with Malibu Entertainment. She enjoys the metro Detroit nightlife especially, singing, dancing and meeting new people.
Amber is the proud mother to four beautiful children, Damian (27), Rosaleigh (14), Carlyn (11), and Naomi (8). Her family also includes four cats.
She loves being a stay-at-home mom and feels blessed to be able to care for her children full-time and provide them with so many opportunities through Metro Detroit Mommy. In addition to Metro Detroit Mommy, Amber has a passion for hosting karaoke with Malibu Entertainment. She enjoys the metro Detroit nightlife especially, singing, dancing and meeting new people.
