This activity has two purposes:

– Learn story details

– Provide criteria for what it means to “know the story”

Note: Some creative person develop this activity into a board game.

Materials Needed

Score Card (the paper with the keys chart on it)

Some way to display the game sheet at the table

Pencil for checking off keys that were included

How to Play the Game

1. Say: We are going to play a game called “10 Keys to the Story.”
2. Pass out Score Card, note the story title and text reference, ask children to fill in their names and the date, then collect the papers.
3. Say: The words and phrases listed are 10 keys to knowing this story by heart. The goal is to include as many as possible when you tell it. We’ll do 3 rounds of storytelling so that each person will have 3 chances to tell the story. You earn a point for each key you include in your telling. You earn bonus points for saying the story title and where to find it in the Bible.
4. Say: Who wants to go first for Round 1? Pick someone if there’s no volunteer.
5. Say: Great, now tell us as much as you can remember of the story.
6. After child tells story, congratulate them; in fact, everybody could applaud.
7. Display the child’s Score Card and check off all the keys he or she remembered. Count them up with the children’s help and put the total at the bottom.

   (Note: The teacher is the judge of which “keys” were included, but you can enlist others to help remember with you. Also, if it takes too long, just do two rounds.)

8. Make a star in Bonus box if they can say the title and scripture reference printed at top of Score Card. In subsequent rounds, you might cover that up so they can’t read it.
9. After every child has a turn in Round 1, tell the story to them for a refresher.
10. Play Round 1 and Round 2 the same way and affirm improvement.