“In terms of education, this means that the best way to communicate morality is not thorough endless dry lists of what should and should not be done, but once again through the imagination — through stories , drama, and living examples capable of engaging the will and the emotions and thus inspiring us to be better people” (Caldecott, Beauty in the Word 87).
These “living examples” are found in scripture, hymns, poetry, and folk songs, written by men and reflecting on their experiences. We learn to be better humans by meditating on the words of those who have gone before us. The captured emotion and carefully chosen words convey ideas in such a way that they are easily brought to mind later.
Scripture: Hiding God’s word in your heart (and in your kids’ hearts) is a way to always have it with you
Poetry: A storehouse of beautiful words beautifully said makes a better reader and a better writer. This storehouse challenges what words sound good and challenges the owner to choose his words carefully when speaking or writing.
Hymns: Great hymns of the church, whether they are ancient or recent, tend to declare Biblical truths in a memorable and accessible way.
Folk Songs: Folk songs connect us to the past through music. These songs typically tell stories that are timeless and not to be forgotten, fleshing out entries on a timeline or stories in a history book into a retelling of real life.
Other things to consider memorizing:
- Classical Conversations Foundations memory work
- Speeches from famous leaders
- Multiplication facts
- Spelling and Punctuation Rules
- Foreign language vocabulary or grammar rules