In explaining the memory tape technique that I use, I've had many people ask me to be extremely specific, and "spell out" entire scripts. So I will post several examples here from tapes I have made for my own children.
While the math facts example given in my memory tapes article is exactly as NACD evaluators told me to do it, the following examples are not. These examples show how I have modified the technique for use with my own family. NACD might say to do it differently, but this works for us. Adapt these ideas as you find works best for your own children.
Example: Bible verses
 | Read the entire verse onto the tape. Read it two more times. |
| Divide the verse into phrases. Have the child repeat each phrase after you (leave a space on the tape) three times. |
| Have the child recite the verse with you on the tape, again three times. |
| Speak slowly, clearly, and with interesting inflections. Avoid monotones. |
Example: John 3:16
| "Let's learn John 3:16 together. Listen. |
| (speak slowly and distinctly) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotton Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16." |
| (brief pause) |
| "Listen again: John 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16." |
| (brief pause) |
| "Listen one more time: John 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16." |
| (brief pause) |
| "Now repeat after me: John 3:16. For God so loved the world..." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "For God so loved the world..." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "For God so loved the world..." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "...that He gave His only begotten Son..." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "...that He gave His only begotten Son..." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "...that He gave His only begotten Son..." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "...that whosoever believeth in Him..." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "...that whosoever believeth in Him..." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "...that whosoever believeth in Him..." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "...should not perish..." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "...should not perish..." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "...should not perish..." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "...but have everlasting life." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "...but have everlasting life." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "...but have everlasting life." |
| (leave blank space on the tape for child to repeat) |
| "Good! Now let's say the whole verse together. Ready? (speak clearly) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16." |
| (brief pause) |
| "Let's say it together again. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16." |
| (brief pause) |
| "One last time. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16." |
| (end tape) |
Example: Books of the Old Testament
Week 1:
| "Let's learn the books of the Old Testament. We will divide them into sections so that they will be easier to learn. Ready? Let's start. |
| (brief pause) |
| There are five books of LAW. Listen: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. |
| (brief pause) |
| Listen again to the five books of LAW: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. |
| (brief pause) |
| One last time. The five books of LAW: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy." |
| (brief pause) |
| Now let's say them together. Ready? The
five books of LAW: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. |
| (brief pause) |
| Again: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. |
| (brief pause) |
| One last time: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. |
| (brief pause) |
| Excellent! Now let's go on. |
| Next are the nine books of HISTORY. Listen (to
make it easier for your child, group these books by threes with your
voice): Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. |
| (brief pause) |
| Listen again: Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. |
| (brief pause) |
| One last time: Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. |
| (brief pause) |
| Now let's say them together. Ready? Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. |
| (brief pause) |
| Let's say them again: Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. |
| (brief pause) |
| One last time: Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. |
| (brief pause) |
| Good -- you've learned the five books of the law and
the nine books of history. Let's say them all together
now. Ready? Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. |
| (brief pause) |
| Let's say them all again: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. |
| (brief pause) |
| One last time: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. |
| (brief pause) |
| Excellent! Next week we'll learn the five books of poetry! |
| (end tape) |
Week 2:
| Last week we learned the five books of law and the nine books of
history. Let's say them together: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. |
| Great! Now let's learn the five books of
poetry. Listen: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. |
| (brief pause) |
| Listen again: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. |
| (brief pause) |
| One last time: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. |
| (brief pause) |
| Now you say them with me. Ready? Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. |
| (brief pause) |
| Again: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. |
| (brief pause) |
| One last time: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. |
| (brief pause) |
| Excellent! Now let's put together all the books
we've learned so far. Say them with me, starting with Genesis: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. |
| Great! Let's say them again! Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. |
| Wonderful! One last time: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings, 1st & 2nd Chronicles. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. |
| Now let's learn the five major prophets. Listen: |
And so on and so on, et cetera, et cetera, yada yada yada.
