Memorization of most anything can be daunting for homeschoolers, especially younger homeschoolers. Here’s a way that you as their parent and teacher can make it fun and exciting.
By using just a chalkboard or marker board, first have your children sit on the floor in an area that is removed from their usual school area. A change of surroundings to another room is helpful here.
Write the verse you want them to memorize on the chalkboard. Make sure they’re in large enough letters so they can easily be seen from your homeschoolers’ vantage point. Also include the reference both at the beginning and at the end of the verse and include that when memorizing the verse. If they memorize the verse without the reference, it makes it almost impossible for them to find it in their Bibles later.
Read the verse to them and explain its significance in light of the lesson you want them to learn. The point is if they understand what it means, they’re better able to remember it. After teaching it’s implication, have them read it with you multiple times, along with the reference, both before and after the verse.
Now, randomly remove one word in the verse. Have the children collectively read/say the reference and verse aloud but also have them include the word you’ve erased. Once they have, remove another random word. Again, have them read/say the reference and verse out loud as a group; this time including both words you’ve erased.
As you continue having them recite the reference and verse, you’ll randomly erase a new word each time. Eventually, the chalkboard will be completely empty with no reference or verse remaining on it, and the children will have learned both the meaning of the verse, its reference, and the verse itself.
It’s at this point that you can have them say the verse to you, along with the reference, as you write it back onto the chalkboard. They’ll be happy to say it to you because they will have memorized it, and you’ll be happy to hear them recite it back to you.
Don’t forget to have them explain the meaning of the verse to you as well. After all, their understanding of it will also help them to apply it in their lives on a daily basis.
The following day, have them once again say the verse to you from memory as you write it on the chalkboard. It’s a wonderful way to remind them of what they learned earlier, and it helps to keep the memory verse from being forgotten.
Your homeschoolers will find out that memory work doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it can be great fun!