McGuffey's Eclectic Primer, Revised Edition · Lesson XIX · Part 4: Dolls, birds and the old cow
19. The old cow in the pond
Goal: Your child reads drink, grass and milk, and reads a little talk between two children about a cow.
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 drink, grass and milk, and a short talk between Kate and John about a cow standing in the pond.
The lesson, step by step
Warm up
Turn back to Lesson XVIII. Your child reads the new words at the top, then one sentence. Any that are slow go in tomorrow's warm-up too.
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 drink, grass and milk.
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:
See how still she stands!
The dear old cow gives us sweet milk to drink.
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 cow? What does the cow give us?
Slate work
Your child copies a few of the new words onto the slate: milk, still. 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: milk, still. 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
This is the first lesson where two people talk. Read it once yourself, with two voices, before your child tries.