Memory Work Puzzles

Last year, I  listed the lines of Hamlet's soliloquy on different-colored strips of construction paper, along with some pictures to make the words more memory-grabbing. I then asked my son to put them in the right order as a puzzle. We added the new lyrics each week, and it helped cement the poem in his mind. It's great for visual learners! We did it with our Scripture memory, too.

So with that in mind, here are the words to our American Heritage memory work. Instead of writing them onto construction paper, you can just paste them in a Word document in a large font size and cut them into strips of memory work-sized chunks. Add each strip to your envelope week after week, as they're added to the memory work. As you progress and the first part of the memory work gets easier through review, you can cut the phrases into smaller chunks.

There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

You can also copy the lyrics to "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" here.