Memory Work

Beautiful Soup, so rich and green,
Waiting in a hot tureen!
Who for such dainties would not stoop?
Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!
Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!

Beau--ootiful Soo-oop! Beau--ootiful Soo-oop! Soo--oop of the e--e--evening,
Beautiful, beautiful Soup!

Beautiful Soup! Who cares for fish,
Game, or any other dish?
Who would not give all else for two
Pennyworth only of Beautiful Soup?
Pennyworth only of beautiful Soup?

Beau--ootiful Soo-oop! Beau--ootiful Soo-oop! Soo--oop of the e--e--evening,
Beautiful, beauti--FUL SOUP!

-- Lewis Carroll

For some good ol' family fun: Assign Carroll's "Beautiful Soup" as a memory poem to all school-aged family members. Tell them to make up a tune while they memorize it. A lovely lady or fine young gent may suggest that each person make up their own tune, a la the Hogwarts school song. ("And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song! Everyone pick their favorite tune and off we go!" ~Albus Dumbledore) Serve soup. A raucous chorus will ensue. Enjoy! (Or plug your ears.)