FOUNDATIONS

MEMORY MASTER GUIDE

Classical Christian Community

© 2019 by Classical Conversations® MultiMedia
First edition published 2003. Second edition 2005. Third edition 2009. Fourth edition 2012. Fifth
edition 2018.

© 2003, 2005, 2009 by Classical Conversations, Inc.

All rights reserved. See restrictions and allowances below.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references in this guide are taken from the King James version.

Scripture references marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, ®
NIV.® Copyright © 1978, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All
rights reserved worldwide.

Published in the United States of America by Classical Conversations® MultiMedia

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ISBN: 978-0-9984373-6-1

Printed in the United States of America

Revised 6.17.19 by Classical Conversations® Academic Team. © 2019 CCMM All Rights Reserved. 2
 Table of Contents
Memory Master .......................................................................................... 4
Purpose .............................................................................................................. 4
Memory Master Readiness ................................................................................. 4
Prompts and Response Format ........................................................................... 5
Memory Master: Proofing Rounds ...................................................................... 6

Revised 6.17.19 by Classical Conversations® Academic Team. © 2019 CCMM All Rights Reserved. 3
 Memory Master
Purpose
§ Cultivate a strong memory
§ Practice oral recitation

Memory Master Readiness

Toward the beginning of the second semester, parents should review these questions and note
their answers before considering the full, in-community, Memory Master journey.

Is this your child’s 2nd time through the cycle’s memory work or is your
yes no
child 9 years or older at the beginning of the school year?

Does your child enjoy the memory work? yes no

Does your child take ownership of practicing their memory work at home? yes no

Is your child showing mastery across all subjects and not just a few? yes no

Is your child’s recitation quick and effortless? yes no

Does your tutor agree that your child consider Memory Master? yes no

Were you in community every week for regular review of memory work? yes no

The in-community, Memory Master event is like a marathon. It is best to train with shorter
distances and build thoughtfully over a long period of time. In marathon training, if you don’t
train well, or you over-train, then injury is likely. Therefore, assess thoughtfully where you are this
year, then set a reasonable training plan and celebrate the distance you traverse.

If you answer “no” to any of the above questions, then tailor the
Keep your focus on Memory Master journey for you and your child. Create a mini,
establishing your memory-master journey with doable goals for your child that sets
personal best and your child up for success, strengthening their memory and oral
celebrating other’s recitation. One way to tailor the journey would be to consider
accomplishments. focusing on fewer subject areas for mastery this year with a longer-
term goal of going for the full Memory Master next year.

Revised 6.17.19 by Classical Conversations® Academic Team. © 2019 CCMM All Rights Reserved. 4
 Prompts and Response Format
Students may use spoken, chanted, or sung forms of the memory work.

Grab your Foundations Curriculum and reference it for each memory work cycle’s prompts and
titles, as you review the information below.

Prompt Student Response

Student names the card given and the
Timeline Name a random timeline card continues timeline from that card for an
assigned period of time 10-30 secs.
Use “Tell me…” prompt from Student provides the history sentence.
History
proof sheet
“Show me…” single location à have student point to that location
Geography
Point to a location à have student “tell” you the location name
English “Tell me…” using the week’s title Student recites memory work
“Tell me…” using the week’s title Student recites declension, conjugation, rule,
vocabulary, or full passage.
Examples:
C1, “Tell me the first declension noun C1, student recites, “a, ae, ae, am, a; singular first
endings” declension”
Latin
C2, “Tell me the first conjugation C2, student recites, “o, s, t, mus, tis, nt; first conjugation,
endings, present tense” present tense.”
C3, “Tell me the Latin for without” or C3, the student recites, “sine,” or the student recites, “of,” or
“Tell me the English for de” or “Tell me John student recites the passage
1:1-7 in Latin” or “Tell me John 1:1-7 in English”
Student recites science fact in a complete
“Tell me…” e. g. “What are some
Science sentence: “Some types of seed plants are monocot, dicot,
types of seed plants?”
conifer.”
For Weeks 1-9, use mixed up à Student recites whole multiplication fact.
deck of multiplication flashcards
Math* à Student recites math facts. Weeks 21, 23,
For Weeks 10 on, use “Tell student can use the terms like “open
me…” using the week’s title parentheses” and “close parentheses.”
*Math: As homeschooling is a marathon and not a sprint, it is helpful to remember to progress at a
thoughtful pace, providing energy for the duration and recognition that milestones are significant markers in
the journey. One of the Foundations program's milestones is Memory Master, therefore it is encouraged
primarily for older students (10-12 years old at the time of proofing), where the student recites multiplication
facts. Parents of younger students are encouraged to delight in and enjoy the robust Foundations program of
fine arts, presentations, science, and memory work play (pages 22-27 in the Foundations Curriculum). When
a younger student (9 and below at the time of proofing) initiates and shows unique, personal ownership for
Memory Master, skip counting is permitted.

Revised 6.17.19 by Classical Conversations® Academic Team. © 2019 CCMM All Rights Reserved. 5
Memory Master: Proofing Rounds
Once the parent, Tutor, and Director are in agreement that the child should pursue in-
community, Memory Master, here’s what you’ll need for each proofing round:

§ Proof sheets, copied from Foundations Curriculum, Summary Proof Sheets found at the end of
each cycle’s weekly memory work (Additional proofing sheets will be provided to Directors
in January/February.)
§ Black line outline map
§ A set of 15x15 multiplication flashcards

Parents can track and assess each Proofing Round below.

Tutor Director
Parent Proof Other Proof
Proof Proof
Name and date of proofing:
Memory Work to be proofed: 100% of the 100% of the 100% of 25% of the
material material the material material
Memory Work quickly and effortlessly
No more No more 100% 100%
recited (mistakes allowed per
than three than one accuracy accuracy
subject):

1. Timeline

2. History

3. Geography

4. Science

5. Math

6. English Grammar

7. Latin

Did student show mastery across all

subject areas?

Should you tailor your Memory

Master journey based on this
proofing round?

Revised 6.17.19 by Classical Conversations® Academic Team. © 2019 CCMM All Rights Reserved. 6