Pick a sentence in the story that is significant or difficult. Help children learn it by lots of repetition in these five ways.

Volume: Say the sentence really, really softly; then just a little louder, increasing the volume each time you say it until everyone is more or less screaming; then work your way back down again.

Chant: Repeat the line several time in a rhythmic manner, establishing the rhythm by patting your lap (encourage children to follow suit).

Drum: After establishing the chant, repeat using a drum with children taking turns being the drummer-leader.

Sing: Compose a melody that works with the line and sing it through several times. Simple children’s songs often work well and are familiar; sometimes a hymn tune or popular song will come to mind.

Remove-a-Word: Write words of the sentence on index cards—one word per card. Put words of the sentence in order in a pocket chart (available at school supply stores). Read through the sentence. Then invite a child to come up and pick out a word to remove; everyone repeats the sentence. Next child to come up takes two words away; everyone repeats the sentence. Continue until most of the words are gone. Then say the whole sentence together.