14

Use Meaning to Memorize

Take notes and answer questions here.

Review

Do you find it difficult to remember names, phone numbers, or vocabulary words? Share some things you do to help you remember information.

Learn

It can be hard to remember what you learn. Everyone struggles to remember information and details, and it is easy to forget what you have studied. Remembering information can help you do well in school because exams are written to test what you have learned and memorized.

It is easier to remember information that is meaningful to you. If you are studying or learning a topic that is unfamiliar, try relating it to something familiar. For example, if you are memorizing a list of vocabulary words, you could create a story in your mind using all the words to help you remember them.

The example below shows how important meaning is to memory. Read list 1 slowly; then close your eyes and see how many words you can recall. Do the same for lists 2–4.

List 1: A girl and her cat played in the field today.

List 2: boy dog field chase stick fun rain wet run home

List 3: see ditch car cry can child eat rug do oar

List 4: tuc lemt ry pon kub mizz nar li tiys sef

Was it more difficult to remember the words from list 1 or list 3? Why?

List 4 does not contain real words. Was it the most difficult to remember? Why?

List 1 was most likely the easiest to remember because the words made a sentence that had meaning. List 4 was likely the most difficult to remember because it did not have meaning.

Activity

Another way to use meaning to help memorize something is called storytelling. Storytelling strategies help you connect what you are trying to remember to a story you create in your mind. For example, if you needed to remember the words Nephi, Jeremiah, bananas, and Jerusalem, you might make up a story about Nephi and Jeremiah traveling to Jerusalem to buy bananas. A little story can help make memorization easier.

Complete the activity below with a partner to practice the storytelling memory strategy.

Imagine that your teacher gave you a list of vocabulary words to remember. Write a story using all the words that you need to remember.

Vocabulary List:

• find

• boulder

• journey

• weather

• smart

Write your story about the vocabulary words below:

Read your story to a partner and see how many vocabulary words they can remember.

How can storytelling strategies help you as you study topics for school?

Talk with Your Family

Share the storytelling strategy with your friends or family. Talk about ways this may help you do better as you prepare and study for exams.