How to Help Students Memorize Formulas in Chemistry
Many students struggle with memorizing formulas in chemistry class. This task isn't easy, but it does not have to be so arduous. Spend some time helping your students memorize them so they have the basic knowledge to succeed.
Instructions
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Require students to write the formula down. While it is often tempting to provide handouts containing the formulas to ensure that students don't accidentally transpose the information, the practice of actually writing it down is highly beneficial. The process of writing requires them to actually take the information into their head.
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Create mnemonic devices. Mnemonic devices are rhymes or acronyms that help individuals remember information. For example, "Roy G. Biv" is used to represent the order of the colors in the color spectrum, and "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" is for the order of operations in math. Encourage the students to incorporate words that hold particular relevance to them into the phrases.
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Compose formula songs. Allow your students to step out of their comfort zone and create and perform songs that contain chemistry formulas. As the classic Saturday morning cartoon "Schoolhouse Rock" has shown, students can easily commit songs to memory. Divide students into groups and assign each group a formula or set of related formulas. Encourage them to use a melody of a popular or classic song and compose a humorous or catchy ditty that incorporates their formula. Allow them to perform these songs in front of the class. They can even dress up in costumes to really drive the message home and make their performance a memorable one.
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Create formula posters. When students stare off into space in class, as they are prone to do, give them something educational to stare at. Have each student create a colorful and attention-getting poster that contains a formula or set of formulas. Encourage them to draw pictures that are related to their formula for a concrete visual connection to an abstract formula. Display the posters around the room. They make great decorations. Just be sure to take them down or cover them up before test day.
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