We’ve been using this Bible Memory Box for over a decade now and it’s still the best system I’ve seen for systematically reviewing memory work.
Let me give you a sneak peek and you can grab some FREE verse printables at the end of this post!
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How to Set up a Memory Box System
Have you ever asked in an exasperated tone: How can I help my child memorize this?
Some kids are naturals at memory work. They just have a knack for it. Then there’s the rest of us. We really have to work at it to memorize things. But memory work is important!
You might want your kids to memorize Scripture verses, history facts, science terminology, poetry, or foreign language vocabulary. Whatever it is that you want them to commit to memory, this memory box system will be the tool that easily gets it done.
We learned about the memory box system from Simply Charlotte Mason.
Here’s why this system is so great:
- inexpensive
- open & go
- easy on mom
- easy to implement
- organized
- systematic repetition
- it really works!
What do you need to create your own? Simply, an index card box with dividers and index cards!
The dividers will create different sections for regularity of review. These sections are:
- Daily
- Odd & Even Days
- Monday through Friday
- Weeks of the Month
- Days of the Month
So the cards at the front behind the daily and odd and even dividers will be reviewed the most. As your children are competent with the information on those cards, you can move them back a level in the box. This will keep it in the review queue with decreasing regularity, but it provides a great system for spiral review.
We have used a plastic 4 x 6 index card box. It’s not pretty, but it’s practical.
I’m considering buying a pretty one on Amazon and use it for my personal memorization work. If it’s beautiful then I won’t mind it setting out. Just be sure that if you buy a tin box for this purpose you also buy the dividers.
What to include in your memory box
Your next step is to fill your box with your memory work. It doesn’t have to only include Scripture verses. You could include parts of larger poems, or history facts, science definitions, or foreign language review. Put a few cards with grammar questions on them too.
Here are a few ideas about what you could include on the individual cards within your memory box:
- Bible verses and catechism
- History timeline, facts, dates
- states & capitals
- Science terms
- Foreign language vocab
- English vocab
- Lines of poetry
- Skip counting and math facts
Your high schoolers can start their OWN memory box filled with subject-specific terminology, Latin roots, science vocab, Scripture memory, etc.
Memory Box Video Tour
It’s probably easiest for me to give a video tour of this Bible memory box, so here goes.
When should you use your memory box system?
We used to use this box regularly when my boys were all in the lower elementary grades. We did a sort of morning basket before morning baskets were trendy 🙂 and we included our memory box into that time each day.
Instead of using it during morning time, you could use it any other time that your family is together, such as lunch or dinner.
I’ve gotten out of the habit of using this memory system since the boys are now teens, but since my daughter is coming along in those elementary years now, I decided to pull it out again for another look.
And that’s the beauty of homeschooling. The really useful tools and resources are worth a second look.
Why does this memory box system work so well?
This memory box system works well because it’s not hard to do! While the initial setting up will take a bit of thought, and you’ll need to decide what to put on the individual cards to memorize, once you have it set up, it’s just a matter of taking five or ten minutes each day to implement.
Short lessons are the key to most things when you’re homeschooling, especially in the younger grades. Anyone can persevere through memory work for five to ten minutes a day! It’s the consistency of doing it daily that will bring the most results.
But once your box is set, you won’t have to think through what you should be working on each day for memory. Just do the cards behind the right dividers.
So, if we were using the memory box on September 12th, 2022, here are the cards we’d review:
- Daily
- Even
- Monday
- Second Week
- 12
This way, you’re getting consistent daily review on your current memory card, plus a spiral review of four other cards.
How to help your kids easily memorize anything
Listen to episode 180 of the Homeschool with Moxie podcast where we talk through how to use the Memory Box system in your homeschool.
Interested in the Masterpiece Society and their Watercolor Whimsies Autumn Edition lessons we’re using? Plus, grab their FREE impressionist-inspired bluebird lesson to try in your homeschool.
Resources to add to your memory box
Want to download some FREE Scripture memory cards for your homeschool? We memorized I John 1:5-10 (ESV) using daily repetition and you can too!
You might also be interested in Luke 2 Scripture memory cards (KJV) to use in the Christmas season.
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