Memorization is Good for the Brain

I have heard some fellow teachers argue that rote memorization doesn’t teach our students anything but I disagree. I think it is an important part of our learning process and should be encouraged every year. We learned to memorize the alphabet, the spelling of our name, our address and lots of other useful information that is important to us. I have to memorize things all of the time but as I get older I notice that it is harder for me to remember things. I feel that by practicing memorization, we are actually exercising our brain and keeping certain paths or connections open for more information. I tell my students that exercising our brain is just like exercising our muscles in our arms and legs. If we don’t use it, we will lose it. I was even told that I couldn’t expect much from my special education students because they are disabled and can’t memorize things. That is totally condescending and insulting to my students. It is the self fulfilling prophesy and if you tell these kids they can’t enough times, they never will try. I have had my students practice multiplication tables and we do drills with them. I had my students memorize the national anthem, our school’s alma mater, and even the poem “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer (all of this was not done in one year though). Some of my students were able to memorize all of the things and others were not, but at least they tried. I could not do 100 pushups like some of my students but I could try. That is the whole object of this lesson.

I’m not saying that the only learning they should have is memorization but it is as important as other parts of learning. Sure, they will need to learn how to think critically and analyze and all of that other stuff but I hope teachers aren’t discounting how important memorization is as a step for other learning to happen. I think it is important from early childhood to the college level.

How do you feel about this? Do you agree or disagree?