Night Elf Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Dd is taking a psychology class and they are talking about memory. She had to list as many US Presidents as she remembered. So I found a quiz online to let me do the same thing. I'm terrible! I have an awful memory! I only got 37%. How about you? US Presidents Quiz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I can name a good many, but I can sing ALL of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 All, in order. I can rattle off most of the vps too. What can I say? I was that child who read the entire history textbook by the end of the first two weeks of school and then sat rereading it for funsies all year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I got 65%. I thought I'd do better. I play a lot of Aliens vs. Presidents on the iPad. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 All of them, but I learned a song during our Classical Conversations years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamakelly Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I used to know them all from the CC memory work, LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I got 72% but I didn't realize it was timed at first. I would have gotten several more if I'd taken it like a timed test. Not bad, since it's been 35 years since I learned them .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeriJ Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 All of them....because of the song. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I'll have to try it, but just wanted to say that my middle dd knows them all and by number too. She enjoyed that Yo Millard Fillmore book. We have streets named after presidents in our town, and as we were turning onto Monroe one time I asked her which president it was named for, just expecting her to say James Monroe. She said, "The fifth one." Ask her any number and she'll tell you who the president was (like, "Who was the 26th president?"). She's not quite as good at pinpointing them in time ("Who was the president in 1923?"). Love her memory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I got about half right. I totally blanked on a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt. Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Ummm... Maybe 4? Were there two Bush-es? Does that count double? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Ivy Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 100% - We sang the song every day in elementary I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I got 53%. I probably could have done better but my 4 year old kept interrupting me. We worked on those names last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Yo, Millard Fillmore :) http://www.amazon.com/Yo-Millard-Fillmore-those-Presidents/dp/1935212419 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I got 38. I could have gotten more, but at first, I thought I had to remember them in order so was going backward through time which was slower. Then realized it would fill them in as soon as I typed a name, nor order necessary. I was typing McKinley when time expired. So 88% but with another 20 seconds I probably could have made 100%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 What is the magical song you all know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 In order? No, can't do it. I didn't take the quiz. I can sit and think and end up naming all of them. Most would be in the correct order, a few would not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SebastianCat Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I got 74%. Now I'm going to go find the song. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 This Brit got 42% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbelle Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I got 56%. My kids did two years of CC so they know the song and can do them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 About 70%. I had to look up the spellings of two of them, and doing that gave me hints to others, so. Also, the program cheats slightly - if you type in "Johnson" or "Roosevelt" or "Bush" it fills in all presidents with that name, so you can get counted twice even if you only knew one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 In my defense, I didn't grow up in this country. In my not-so defense......I have taught US History (against my will) in the PS system...... I got 91%. I don't remember any president named Arthur.....did he do anything important? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 With my kids' help I got all of them except I couldn't spell McKinley. We learned a song last year for memory work, but they remember it better than I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_A._Arthur Let's just refer to Mark Twain's commentary on the man: "t would be hard indeed to better President Arthur's administration." So yeah, I guess he did, but don't worry, hardly anybody else has ever heard of him either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 We just sing the last names to the tune of Yankee Doodle, maybe we found it on youtube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieSong Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 In order? No, can't do it. I didn't take the quiz. I can sit and think and end up naming all of them. Most would be in the correct order, a few would not. The quiz doesn't require you to name them in order. I got all but two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 The quiz doesn't require you to name them in order. I got all but two. Oh, okay. I took a quick look and saw blank spaces next to dates, so I thought you had to list when each man was in office. I was just browsing and didn't actually read the instructions. I might go back later then, and give it a whirl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 100%. Thank you Animaniacs! ETA: the Stack the States app had a mini game where you place them in order too. My brother and I had a competition two years ago to see who could do it the quickest. I ended up winning around 42sec. It was quite competitive, though. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt. Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Hey, Americans: why do you do this? Is it actually considered valuable information to know these names? Is it an expression of patriotism/loyalty in some form? Is it a memory exercise, because it's good to have memory skills, and so this is a not-pointless list to memorize? (We don't memorize Prime Ministers, so I'm curious about the education aspect of the phenomenon.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFG Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 In my defense, I didn't grow up in this country. In my not-so defense......I have taught US History (against my will) in the PS system...... I got 91%. I don't remember any president named Arthur.....did he do anything important? Arthur may not have done much that was memorable, but he did have impressive sideburns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted December 16, 2014 Author Share Posted December 16, 2014 Hey, Americans: why do you do this? Is it actually considered valuable information to know these names? Is it an expression of patriotism/loyalty in some form? Is it a memory exercise, because it's good to have memory skills, and so this is a not-pointless list to memorize? (We don't memorize Prime Ministers, so I'm curious about the education aspect of the phenomenon.) Well for me, it's on the same level of being able to name all 50 states. I can't do that either. And I certainly can't look at a map and place many states. I have never been a history and geography person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Hey, Americans: why do you do this? Is it actually considered valuable information to know these names? Is it an expression of patriotism/loyalty in some form? Is it a memory exercise, because it's good to have memory skills, and so this is a not-pointless list to memorize? (We don't memorize Prime Ministers, so I'm curious about the education aspect of the phenomenon.) I have no idea, but I suspect it's probably why so many people hate history. They were forced to memorize rather than learn. I had history teachers who obviously loved their subject and loved passing along information about what happened (both in World and American History), and that's possibly why I love history. I'm not sure, but I think the teaching of history has moved away from rote memorization of dates, wars, and people. Some parents of school kids have a fit when such changes are made, but it's really better to learn history that way. Being able to name all the presidents is a useless skill (even though I admit I could do it). Being able to understand what was happening in the rest of the world while, say Rutherford B. Hayes was in office, helps one to see the big picture. When we know where we've been we can understand why we're where we are, and have a better idea of where we're going. Knowing and being able to recite a list of names and dates is just a handy party trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Tick Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Hey, it's history, man! Those guys were in charge when stuff happened. Of course, there is a reason why most of us know a few and have vague recollections of the others. To know them all is a point of pride, not patriotism so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFG Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I have no idea, but I suspect it's probably why so many people hate history. They were forced to memorize rather than learn. I had history teachers who obviously loved their subject and loved passing along information about what happened (both in World and American History), and that's possibly why I love history. I'm not sure, but I think the teaching of history has moved away from rote memorization of dates, wars, and people. Some parents of school kids have a fit when such changes are made, but it's really better to learn history that way. Being able to name all the presidents is a useless skill (even though I admit I could do it). Being able to understand what was happening in the rest of the world while, say Rutherford B. Hayes was in office, helps one to see the big picture. When we know where we've been we can understand why we're where we are, and have a better idea of where we're going. Knowing and being able to recite a list of names and dates is just a handy party trick. This is wonderful. I have never understood the appeal of the mere memorization of random facts list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loowit Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I got 64% which is better than expected. I never learned them in school and most of what I know if from studying history as an adult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Hey, Americans: why do you do this? Is it actually considered valuable information to know these names? Is it an expression of patriotism/loyalty in some form? Is it a memory exercise, because it's good to have memory skills, and so this is a not-pointless list to memorize? (We don't memorize Prime Ministers, so I'm curious about the education aspect of the phenomenon.) I can't do Prime Ministers, but I can probably have a decent stab at Kings/Queens of England from 1485 onwards. Knowing the list (in order) does give shape to eras. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Hey, Americans: why do you do this? Is it actually considered valuable information to know these names? Is it an expression of patriotism/loyalty in some form? Is it a memory exercise, because it's good to have memory skills, and so this is a not-pointless list to memorize? (We don't memorize Prime Ministers, so I'm curious about the education aspect of the phenomenon.) If you memorize them in order it gives you pegs to attach historical events to. Presidents are often mentioned in conjunction the the events of their time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Hey, Americans: why do you do this? Is it actually considered valuable information to know these names? Is it an expression of patriotism/loyalty in some form? Is it a memory exercise, because it's good to have memory skills, and so this is a not-pointless list to memorize? (We don't memorize Prime Ministers, so I'm curious about the education aspect of the phenomenon.) I don't think most people do try to memorize them. I sure didn't. I just know them because I read a lot of history. I can generally tell you the key election issues, a bit (or a lot) about their history and about what they did post presidency. But then again I am the child who preread and reread history books for fun and also pored over this massive volume about the details of the deaths of each president. I must have been about 10. I still read political histories and biographies for fun. Most wouldn't mistake me for especially patriotic. I do not claim to be exciting or quite normal, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 74% but I didn't realize it was timed and I was texting with DH about dinner while I took it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherry in OH Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I can't do Prime Ministers, but I can probably have a decent stab at Kings/Queens of England from 1485 onwards. Knowing the list (in order) does give shape to eras. L I know some of the kings and queens of England from the song on the Beethoven’s Wig CDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I got 58% and I'm surprised I got that many. I've never memorized them or learned a song about them. I CAN say the alphabet backwards, though, so I feel my education wasn't a complete waste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Ummm... Maybe 4? Were there two Bush-es? Does that count double? Yeah me too. I am not good at remembering names. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Hey, Americans: why do you do this? Is it actually considered valuable information to know these names? Is it an expression of patriotism/loyalty in some form? Is it a memory exercise, because it's good to have memory skills, and so this is a not-pointless list to memorize? (We don't memorize Prime Ministers, so I'm curious about the education aspect of the phenomenon.) I don't do it. I don't consider it valuable information. Maybe I'm a bad American. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 I can't do Prime Ministers, but I can probably have a decent stab at Kings/Queens of England from 1485 onwards. Knowing the list (in order) does give shape to eras. L Yes, that's the primary benefit, I think. I don't think many people set out specifically to memorize them, but one generally knows the last several just from life experience and conversation with one's family. And one learns the first few in school, plus a few big ones sprinkled through. And then with only 43 presidents total (and fewer than that when I was in school!), the filled in spots start out-numbering the gaps, and it becomes easier to fill the gaps. Also it helps in trivia games. My family all dominate me in strategic games, so I have to keep my edge in trivia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperstone Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Ummm... Maybe 4? Were there two Bush-es? Does that count double? Lol, I only did slightly better with 9. They weren't in order though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperstone Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 Thanks to Horrible Histories, we can also have a decent stab at English royalty...a bit less relevant to us though :) I can think of 7 Presidents. Also of no relevance to me :) I don't even bother to think about Australian PM's. I can name more American Presidents, than Australia's Prime Ministers, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 93% My poor spelling was my undoing, I think if had been untimed I would have gotten them all. Of course, I had to memorize them in high school and the kids and I play a game with them now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 All but three. I think I would have got them too, but time ran out. My memory was all Swiss cheese though. I need a rhyme like I have for the kings of England. I can do those cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ailaena Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 100%. Thank you Animaniacs! Animaniacs also taught my daughter the states and capitals when she was, maybe 4 or 5. And the parts of the brain. And the nations of the world (c. 199x). And I vaguely remember ingredients in ice cream. All of those songs have stuck with us both through the years, which I find hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I do find it helpful for pinning chunks of information in my head. Some of these presidents had some rather key decisions made during their terms. I think it is more difficult than the English Monarchy as most of them were on the throne more than four to eight years. We go through presidents rather rapidly, LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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