McGuffey's Eclectic Primer, Revised Edition · Lesson XI · Part 3: Hens, ducks and kind hands
11. The fat hen
Goal: Your child reads hen, nest, box and she, and reads four sentences about a hen and her eggs.
You'll need
- The book, open to the lesson
- A slate, small whiteboard or paper and pencil
What's in the book
New words including hen, nest, box and she (with the letter x shown), and four sentences about a fat hen, her nest and a cat.
The lesson, step by step
Warm up
Turn back to Lesson X, the review page. Your child reads two or three sentences from it, any ones they like.
Meet the new words
Point to each new word at the top of the page. Say it clearly, then your child says it back. The words at the top include hen, nest, box and she.
Sound out the short words together. Then mix up the order and ask your child to point to each word as you say it.
Read the sentences
Your child reads the sentences aloud, pointing to each word. Help by sounding out, not by telling, when you can. For example:
This is a fat hen.
The hen has a nest in the box.
She has eggs in the nest.
Then read the whole page once more, a little smoother.
Talk about the picture
SayLook at the picture together. What do you see?
SayWhere is the hen's nest? What might the cat do?
Slate work
Your child copies a few of the new words onto the slate: hen, box, nest. If there is a line in script (handwriting) on the page, read it aloud together and copy it instead.
Spell aloud
Close the book. Say each word and your child spells it aloud: hen, box, nest. Then open the book and check.
Wrap up
Your child reads the whole lesson one last time, or just the favorite sentence. Stop while it is still fun.
Afterwards
Reread this lesson for a day or two, until the new words come without help. Then go on.
Tip
The x in box says ks. Say it slowly together: b-o-ks.