Dictation

So, I started a new curriculum that teaches the kids to write what I read.  The dictation sentences are only 1 or 2 sentences.  Sam actually enjoys it, but her sentences are shorter.  Zach could not get it.  I will admit the sentence he had to remember was long and cumbersome with old English vocabulary.  He just couldn't get it after 40 minutes of trying to repeat what I said.  I finally asked him why he could recite Bible verse, but not this.  He said to me "I could read those!  If I can see it I can remember it."  Now, the point of the lesson was for him NOT to read it, but to write what he hears.  However, I was curious about something and decided to showed him the sentence.  He read through it once and wrote the whole thing without a single hiccup!  To be honest, I'm not sure what to do about this.  Maybe, I will have to start him off on the same sentences that Sam is on.  I do think this is a skill that they both need to master.  I guess I will find out tomorrow how he does with Sam's curriculum.