Memorization is not only a grammar school skill, nor is repetition limited to grammar jingles and chants. Upper school students need to hide things in their heart as much as younger students, and just as there are a variety of things students need to memorize, their are various modes for memorization. Unfortunately, too often upper school memorization follows a “binge and purge” mode. This workshop focuses on two alternative modes of memorization that have direct application in literature and rhetoric classes, but have analogous application to other studies (language, logic, mathematics, science, etc.). The first mode involves the mode of classroom catechism (not just “what” goes into a catechism, but “how” it can be used). The second mode is recitation of literature and speeches for presentation (again, the “what” and the “how”).

Joshua Butcher has been involved in Classical Christian Education since 2010. He has been a teacher, academic administrator, headmaster, ex officio board member, and parent within a variety of Classical Christian institutions: 5-day K-12 individual grades model; 4-day multi-age-form model; and online. He currently teaches full-time for Veritas Scholars Academy online and part-time as a teacher and academic dean at Ordo Amoris Classical Academy in Fairhope, AL. Joshua is married to Hannah and they have six children (five boys and one girl) spanning from newly born (March 2025) to 18 years old.