Art and I always have fun with the Super Quiz in the Star Advertiser.
When we got to the question of something that projects upward from the floor of a limestone cave I knew the answer right away.
Ever since we visited a cave (maybe the Carlsbad?) and were given the mnemonic that stalagmites MIGHT reach the ceiling and stalactites hang TIGHT to the top of the cave, I have not confused the two words.
What are mnemonics?
This is from the Google dictionary:
"A mnemonic (/nəˈmɒnɪk/, the first "m" is silent) device, or memory device, is any learning technique that aids information retention or retrieval (remembering) in the human memory."
I'm sure everybody knows the mnemonic that reminds us how to tell principle and principal apart. Just remember that the principal of a school is always your pal.
Then there's dessert and desert. Which has one s and which has two? I remember that one because I always want two desserts, but only one desert.
Do you know any others?
Maybe we can start with something to help you spell mnemonics.
Ever since we visited a cave (maybe the Carlsbad?) and were given the mnemonic that stalagmites MIGHT reach the ceiling and stalactites hang TIGHT to the top of the cave, I have not confused the two words.
What are mnemonics?
This is from the Google dictionary:
"A mnemonic (/nəˈmɒnɪk/, the first "m" is silent) device, or memory device, is any learning technique that aids information retention or retrieval (remembering) in the human memory."
I'm sure everybody knows the mnemonic that reminds us how to tell principle and principal apart. Just remember that the principal of a school is always your pal.
Then there's dessert and desert. Which has one s and which has two? I remember that one because I always want two desserts, but only one desert.
Do you know any others?
Maybe we can start with something to help you spell mnemonics.
I smiled when I read this because this is exactly the way we were taught dessert and desert and principle and principal,,
ReplyDeletecapital and capitol - the latter is the building because the o is also in dome which most capitols have.
ReplyDeleteI remember that there were a couple of kids in my class who did not think of the principal in such friendly terms.
ReplyDeleteThose terms have always been confusing to me since they sound the same but are completely different.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of any right off the top of my head. But it sure is nice to have you back in my life, Kay. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt helps when you met new people like paul and carol smith. I say to myself PC as a way of remembering their names the next time I see them...fun to have you back blogging-you were misssed.
ReplyDeleteI knew it was stalagmite.
ReplyDeleteI have the ones I use the most on a post it stuck to the front of my monitor. :)
ReplyDeleteThe way we learned is that stalaGmites come from the Ground, an stalaCtites come from the Ceiling. Never got them confused ever since that time!
ReplyDeleteSame as Lorna.
ReplyDeleteI seem to have more spelling problems as I age and I used to teach English, so I have no excuse except fried brain syndrome. I do remember those!
ReplyDeleteThanks for finally clearing up stalagmites and stalactites. Now if I can just remember that.
ReplyDeleteSounds great
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I did a post years ago when I talked about this:
ReplyDelete30 days hath September, April June and November
All the rest have 31 except February alone (28 but 29 on leap year)
Learned that as a kid but believe it or not, I often have to tell folks this when the month is at the end!
I love mnemonics!
I never heard that one about cave projections, so I could never remember which was which. Now if I can only remember the mnemonic!
ReplyDeletefun comments you precipitated, Kay
ReplyDeleteI knew most of those
ReplyDeleteI am terrible with mnemonics. I don't use them. The only one I remember is strawberry shortcake and so we have 2 esses in dessert.
ReplyDeleteDaughters of Southern Michigan (DSM)
ReplyDeleteDextrose, Sucrose, Maltose (DSM-the sugars produced in photosynthesis)
I still remember from studying for the Botany final in college.
StalagMite M for Mounds which go from ground up. So obviously stalactites are the other.
Mnemomics are forever.
And mnemonics last from here to eternity.
DeleteI used to teach this to my students. They liked making them up. The most frequent was the order of the provinces here in Canada.!
ReplyDeleteI can't think of one at the moment!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan