McGuffey's Fourth Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson LXXXVII · Part 9: History, seasons and home

91. The Best Capital, by Louisa M. Alcott

Goal: Your child reads a passage from "Little Men" and explains why simple goodness is called the best capital.

⏱ About 30 minutes · 7 steps

Open it at the Internet Archive ↗

You'll need

  • The book, open to this lesson
  • A notebook or lined paper and a pencil

What's in the book

From "Little Men": after Uncle John Brooke's funeral, the boys of Plumfield wonder why so many people honored a man who was not rich or famous. Uncle Fritz and Grandpa explain what kind of man he was. A note about the author and Definitions are included.

The lesson, step by step

  1. Words and meanings

    The new words are at the end of the lesson, under Definitions. The small number in front of each word is the paragraph or verse where it is used. Read them together before the lesson. A few of them:

    Eulogy, a speech or writing in praise of the character of a person.

    Conscientious, governed by a strict regard to the rules of right and wrong.

    Legacy, a gift by will, a bequest.

    Capital, stock employed in any business.

    Ask your child to find two of these words in the lesson and read the sentence each one is in.

  2. About the author

    The book's note says Louisa May Alcott was born at Germantown, Pa., and wrote many beautiful stories for children. During the Civil War she was a hospital nurse at Washington. The selection is adapted from "Little Men."

  3. Read it aloud

    Your child reads it aloud. Here is what Emil said about the uncles:

    Uncle Fritz is the wisest, and Uncle Laurie the jolliest, but Uncle John was the best;

  4. Talk about it

    SayWho came to Uncle John's funeral?

    SayWhy was Jack disappointed at first?

    SayWhat did Uncle John do when an employer wanted him to help cheat?

    SayWhat kind of son, friend, worker and father was he?

    Let your child look back at the page to find answers.

  5. Tell it back

    Close the book. Your child explains, in their own words, what "the best capital" is and why.

  6. Copywork

    Your child copies this from the book, slowly and neatly, minding every capital letter and mark of punctuation:

    Yes! simple, genuine goodness is the best capital to found the business of this life upon.

  7. Words to learn

    Learn: eulogy, cherished, appreciated, conscientious, subdued, independent, legacy, capital. Spell each aloud, then write it with its meaning.

Afterwards

If your child enjoys this, "Little Men" and "Little Women" make good family read-alouds.

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