Memorizing can help students absorb and retain the factual in- formation on which understanding and critical thought are based. Memorizing simplifies the process of recalling information and allows its use to become automatic. Teachers can encourage students to develop memory skills by teaching highly structured and carefully sequenced lessons, with frequent reinforcement for correct answers. Young students, slow students, and students who lack background knowledge can benefit from such instruction.
Mnemonics helps students remember more information faster and retain it longer.
Comprehension and retention are even greater when teachers and students connect the new information being memorized with previous knowledge. An Experimental Study of Effective Teaching in First-grade Reading Groups. The Elementary School Journal, Vol. Review of Educational Research, Vol. 51, No. 2, pp. Carlson, R. F., et al.