How to Memorize the 13 Colonies in Order

by Donnalyn Yates

I recently came up with an easy way to learn the 13 colonies in chronological order. Stories are a great memory technique because they follow a sequence. The brain stores information using a sequence or pattern, so this is why it works so well.

What children need to do, is visualize the story. As you read the story, draw simple little pictures. Use stick figures and have the children draw along at the same time. It makes the story memorable and it’s fun to do. Tell 5 other people the story to reinforce the memorized information.

Encourage the entire family to get involved and see who can remember all the colonies in order.

A  girl named Virginia went to Mass (Massachusetts) every Sunday.

Her family always ate a new ham (New Hampshire) after church.

Her sister Marilyn  (Maryland), was playing a “Connect-the-dots” game, (Connecticut) but stopped when her dad  said,

“Let’s hit the road for the island!” (Rhode Island).

He called to his wife, “Hurry up Della and get something to wear”. (Delaware).

While driving, they all sang Christmas Carols (North & South Carolina). 

Suddenly they saw a Jersey cow (New Jersey) 

It had a tag saying it was from New York in a big Pen (Pennsylvania) and the cow’s name was Georgia.  So they took it back to it’s home.

That’s the end of the story and now you can remember all 13 colonies in order! Tell someone else the story to lock it in your memory.

Use the “story” memory technique to help children remember any important facts. When you teach about Abraham Lincoln’s life, put it into story form with pictures. You will be surprised how easily it will be stored in the brain. Be creative!

I use stories and pictures to teach Multiplication/Division Facts and States and Capitals. Kids remember quickly and have fun doing it!

Memory Tip: The brain stores information in pictures, not words and remembers through associations.

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9 comments

1 Sarahi torres { 05.22.12 at 6:45 pm }

Cool way to memorize the 13 colonies

2 hpac { 08.27.12 at 1:43 pm }

so cool and cute!!

3 shelby { 09.24.12 at 7:25 pm }

Wat about north and south carolina

4 shelby { 09.24.12 at 7:26 pm }

But i love it

5 Jada Hill { 09.25.12 at 7:37 pm }

Hope u like that

6 13 Colonies { 09.26.12 at 1:11 pm }

Very Many Nice Men Came Running Down North Street, Not Needing Police Guards.
(Those are colonies 1st letters in the order they were founded)

7 Jessica Leyva { 10.11.12 at 3:51 pm }

So Helpful!! Thanks

8 "Glue on her fingers, dirt on her toes, she makes laughter wherever she goes!" » Blog Archive » MM#8 ~ US Colonies { 10.14.12 at 9:48 pm }

[...] How to Memorize the 13 Colonies in Order by Donnalyn Yates – cute mnemonic [...]

9 laira castro rodriguez { 10.18.12 at 3:59 pm }

what about georia!!!!!!