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AUGUST 2004

Audio Memory’s Learning Songs
by Mitchell Levine

The first thing you see when you log on to Audio Memory’s site is their slogan: “you never forget what you sing!” That’s not just a catchy branding line: solid research into neurological mechanisms used in learning all confirm that comprehension, retention, and decoding fluency are all beneficially impacted not only by auditory stimulation, but music as well. Of course, anyone like myself that needs to sing a familiar tune to recall what letter comes after “v” in the alphabet is already aware of this phenomenon, but it’s nice to know that there’s a foundation of undeniable scientific fact behind it.

With a potential age group conceivably up to young adult, but particularly for young learners, Audio Memory produces a line of tapes, CDs, and sing-along workbooks to help both classroom teachers and homeschooling parents take advantage of these effects. The products range in content area from grammar and history, to state capitals and the Bible, and consist of a series of songs, exercises, and written work, intended to, in the publisher’s words, “use all avenues of the brain” to create mastery. For example, the company’s flagship product, Grammar Songs, teaches students all parts of speech in English grammar, punctuation, and a large number of Greek and Latin root with sixteen songs and a 72-page workbook.

The music is professionally recorded and, while the songs may never chart on Billboard, they’re completely appropriate for both young learners and classroom instruction. While listening to the Geography Songs and State Capitals collections, I was reminded several times of the Schoolhouse Rock songs of 70’s Saturday morning television fame like “Conjunction Junction” and “I’m Only a Bill.” As a testament to the effectiveness of the medium, the reader should note that it may well be the case that many people in their 30s only know the difference between adjectives and adverbs because of the latter.

All in all, I can say that Audio Memory’s products are well-made, educational, and fun—a rare combination of factors that can only mean increased understanding for students, and an excellent change of pace for teachers and parents. Interested educators can find more information, as well as online audio samples, at the company’s site, www.audiomemory.com, or by dialing their toll-free number 1-877-365-SING.#

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