I remember one thing from my High School Biology class. Yep, just one.
I remember learning about the bacterial class called Actinomycota.
I remember that Actinomycota is a rod, that Leprosy and Tuberculosis are caused by Actinomycota bacteria, and that types of Actinomycota bacteria are used to make Tetracycline and Erythromycin. I also remember that it’s a soil dweller and a decomposer.
Why in the world would I remember this? And why would it be the only thing that I remember from my High School Biology class?
Because my friend and I made that one little section of our notes into a song right before the test so that we could remember it.
It was to the tune of “Hakuna Matata”. 
What, you want it stuck in your head too?
Okay, here it is:
Actinomycota… what a wonderful rod.
Actinomycota… causes TB and Leprosy.
It makes Tetracycline and Erythromycin.
It’s a soil dweller… and a decomposer.
Actinomycota.
Completely useless for an accounting major turned full-time homeschooler and part-time blogger, right?
No way!
While I’m really not very interested in actinomycota, the lesson that I learned that day has stayed with me for the past 18 years.
It’s not only easier to memorize information through songs, but that information is very likely to stay with you for life!
There’s a made-for-tv-movie that I watched way back when I was in Jr. High called Earth Angel. In the movie, the high school “nerd” helps the prom queen study for her history exam. She’s having trouble memorizing the information and he asks her if she can remember lyrics of songs that are on the radio. Of course she can! So he makes up a song to help her remember the information for the test…
{sung to That’ll be the Day}
Battle of D-Day, the Second World War.
Battle of D-Day, nineteen forty-four.
Battle of D-Day, I’ll say it once more,
When Eisenhower led the troops to Normandy’s Shore.
Not only did it help her with her test 
, but I still remember it too!
While I don’t think I could be classified as a “classical homeschooler” (I see so many amazing things in all of the homeschool philosophies and I try to have a mix in our school life) I do LOVE the focus of classical education on learning through song.
You don’t need any expensive CDs to do it either. Just figure out the facts that you for-sure want your kids to know and make up songs to those one at a time. The song lines don’t even have to rhyme!
For example, here’s a short one that I made up while we were studying the Declaration of Independence last year.
It’s kind of a Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star remix…
The De…claration of Independence
Was sign…ed by the Continental Congress
On… July 4th, 1776.
The De…claration of Independence
Was sign…ed by the Continental Congress
on… July 4th, 1776.
The De…claration of Independence
Started a war called the American Revolution
Al…so called the War of Independence
Or… the Revolutionary War.
The loy…alists remained loyal to King George The Third
The pa…triots wanted to be free.
See? It’s not complicated, it’s an easy tune that everyone already knows, and it doesn’t even rhyme at all.
But the kids still remember it!
What’s on your list to memorize this year? Do you have any songs you’ve made up (or song ideas!) that you would like to share? :)
Image Attribution: GrahamColm at en.wikipedia
I’ve talked about the 
I have a couple of fabulous homeschooling mentors that have helped me out over the years whenever I have had questions about homeschooling or need advice on different potential curriculum options.
