21. The owl

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   Turn back to Lesson XX. Point to the new words at the top and have your child read them:

   mamma arms both large as papa ride far barn Prince trot your

   Any that are slow go in tomorrow's warm-up too.

2. 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 what, owl, well, eyes, night, day, but, big and best.

   Sound out the short words together. Then mix up the order and ask your child to point to each word as you say it.

3. 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:

   What bird is this? It is an owl.

   The owl can see best at night.

   Then read the whole page once more, a little smoother.

4. Talk about the picture

   SayLook at the picture together. What do you see?

   SayLook at the owl's eyes. When does an owl see best?

5. Slate work

   Your child copies a few of the new words onto the slate: owl, big, day. If there is a line in script (handwriting) on the page, read it aloud together and copy it instead.

6. Spell aloud

   Close the book. Say each word and your child spells it aloud: owl, big, day. Then open the book and check.

7. Wrap up

   Your child reads the whole lesson one last time, or just the favorite sentence. Stop while it is still fun.