Showing posts with label Memorization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Memorization. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

A Bit of Schooling Here and There



As I had mentioned before, we are trying to get back to doing homeschooling more regularly after the birth of my baby girl. While some days are pretty good and we get the work done, others are rather slow and we hardly accomplish what I'd like. In such cases, I like to get a little creative and spontaneous about choosing what to study, things not necessarily found within our basic curriculum at the time. Our basic curriculum consists of workbooks purchased from Christian Light. They are very practical and require very little lesson prep time in my opinion. The kids seem to do well working independently and can do the work, for the most part, without my help. I do however, enjoy sitting with them and going over different topics and subjects. I like to see them learning new things and taking interest in them. Last week, we brought out the old microscope and had a blast using it. The idea was to get them to learn how to use it while learning to identify its parts easily. To make things easier I used a small chalk board in which I drew and labeled a drawing of a microscope and then hung it near our kitchen table. Having it in the kitchen gave me the opportunity to work on preparing lunch as they worked on their schooling at the table. On other occasions our study/library works out better. Within a short time of having drawn the microscope, they had successfully memorized the parts, and were intrigued by the subject of exploration. I was lucky to find and buy a copy of the Scriptures, written in microscopic size, at our local market. I bought a couple for only a dime a piece, which was a deal hard to resist. The kids were amazed to see how such a small copy of the Scriptures could be printed. It was intriguing to all. This was one good day in our home school; and one they're likely to remember well.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Psalm 145 and Memorization

 We will be working on memorizing Psalm 145 as a family. I think it is such a good way to tune our hearts to Hashem and His Word. This Psalm is part of the Mincha prayers and one of my personal favorites.
I often think about how we sometimes without hesitation memorize all sorts of things that interest us like music lyrics for instance. But when it comes to the Word of G-d, we don't seem to have the same willingness; sometimes reasoning that it's too difficult.
Some time ago, I remember going to the library with my kids to supplement their reading. One of my kids decided to get a Ripley's Believe It or Not!  Book. After reading through it a while he shared with me with great amazement about a person that had memorized incredible amounts of books by heart. While I can't recall the name of the man who broke this record, I do remember one thing. The man was a Rabbi that had memorized the Torah along with several other works related to the Jewish faith. The love and dedication this Rabbi had are just amazing to me.
I hope we can learn a lesson from this. If we set our minds to it we could memorize more than we actually think we can. If we love His Word, than it should motivate us to learn it by heart. When I find myself having to make decisions in life, I often recall G-d's Word, and it guides my way. This brings to mind the Psalm 119 -"Oh how love I thy Law, it is my meditation all the day,". If His Word is in our hearts constantly than we'll be able to meditate on it throughout our days. 
     1. I shall exalt You, my G-d the King, and I shall bless Your name forever and ever.
2. Every day I shall bless you, and I shall praise Your name forever and ever.
3. The L-rd is great and very much praised, and His greatness cannot be searched.
4. Generation to generation will praise Your works, and they will recite Your mighty deeds.
5. Of the majesty of the glory of Your splendor and the words of Your wonders I shall speak.
6. And the strength of Your awesome deeds they will tell, and Your greatness I shall sing.
7. Of the remembrance of Your abundant goodness they will speak, and of Your righteousness they will sing.
8. The L-rd is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and of great kindness.
9. The L-rd is good to all, and His mercies are on all His works.
10.        All your works will thank You, O L-rd, and Your pious ones will bless You.
11.        They will tell the glory of Your kingdom, and they will speak of Your might.
12.        To make known to the children of men His mighty deeds and the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.
13.        Your kingdom is a kingdom of all times, and Your ruling is in every generation.
14.        The L-rd supports all those who fall and straightens all who are bent down.
15.        Everyone’s eyes look to You with hope, and You give them their food in its time.
16.        You open Your hand and satisfy every living thing [with] its desire.
17.        The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds
18.         The L-rd is near to all who call Him, to all who call Him with sincerity.
19.        He does the will of those who fear him, and He hears their cry and saves them.
20.        The L-rd guards all who love Him, and He destroys all the wicked.
21.        My mouth will speak the praise of the L-rd, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

Birkat Hamazon

Some time ago I took it upon myself to teach my kids the Birkat Hamazon. The Birkat Hamazon, is basically the blessing said after meals. This blessing is based on Deuteronomy 8:10 "When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He gave you". Even though this blessing can be read, it is customary to sing it aloud on Shabbat and other special occasions. Well, I had wanted nothing more than to learn to sing it since long ago, but didn't know the melody; until recently that I found a podcast with the blessing which I now have in my ipod. It's so convenient learning it this way because it gives me the freedom to listen at any time I choose. On Friday however, I found this video that I just loved. Here is a way that I think would be perfect for the kids to learn. I'm posting the video here should anyone want to learn it.