If you are a history buff like I am, you can find lots of great cognitive exercising opportunities from history, utilizing some of the tools I’ve mentioned in the “Fossilized Data” blog entry. Today’s lesson plan: Hamilton! I am currently number 85,988 in the online sign-up today (tickets just went on sale; I started at 119,922.) Hamilton has so many memories attach to him the least of which is the modern day musical. Here’s how to have some fun with Hamilton for improving your memory:
Use visual timelines, mnemonics, quizzes and visual info sheets — especially for comparing and contrasting information such as the politics and accomplishments (or failures) of other presidents:
The first one is a studying mnemonic: BE FAT:
B = Band of US
E = Excise on Whiskey
F = Funding on Par
A = Assumption of State Debts
T = Tariffs
If you want to learn more goto: Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/19387647/mnemonics-hamiltons-financial-plan-be-fat-flash-cards/
2. Use a timeline ruler (think horizontal) + images:
This one is for the Hamilton – Burr Dual. It uses a year chronology chart: hard to remember like this but if you are wanting to prep for the story before going to the musical and don’t have time to read Ron Chernow’s book Hamilton, try attaching a visual image to it. Extra credit: be sure to have the pictures relate to each other for a story or an event that triggers the reminder for the next event. For example:
1801
Jefferson and Burr deadlock in the Electoral College.
Hamilton advises the Federalists to back Thomas Jefferson over Aaron Burr.
The House elects Jefferson the third President, and Burr Vice President.
Hamilton founds the New York Evening Post. His eldest son, Philip, is killed in a duel. 1802
The story of Jefferson and Sally Hemings is first published.1803
Louisiana Purchase1804
Hamilton argues People v. Croswell, defending the press against seditious libel.New England Federalists discuss secession with Vice President Aaron Burr.
Hamilton fights a duel with Aaron Burr, and is killed.
1807
Aaron Burr is tried for treason, and acquitted.
1809
James Madison is inaugurated as the fourth President.
1812
– 1815 War of 1812
1826
July 4: death of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
1836
Aaron Burr dies.
1854
Elizabeth Hamilton dies.
Taking a quiz infers you’ve already studied. Treat yourself, take yourself to a quiet spot at lunch and memorize a few facts. Quizzes have been proven to increase your long term memory (if you are using the “constellation of memory devices”<talked about earlier>.) If you ever have the option of grade or no grade, always take the grade, it will enhance your long-term memory 100-fold.
3. Perhaps you will want to start with a visual fact sheet first. When you contrast and compare, you remember more information:
Keep your fingers crossed for me and stay tuned, i’ll let you know tomorrow am if I got the tickets!!! It’s a toughie because once my spot in the queue is ready, I only have 12 minutes to complete the transaction. That’s hard with clients every hour. I am trying to create a predictive algorithm.
Remember me until next time, jenn bulka, Memory Specialist.
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