McGuffey's Eclectic Primer, Revised Edition · Lesson III · Part 1: First words: a cat, a rat
3. Ann and Nat
Goal: Your child reads Nat, hat, can and fan, and reads the lines about Ann and Nat.
You'll need
- The book, open to the lesson
- A slate, small whiteboard or paper and pencil
What's in the book
New words Nat, hat, can and fan with pictures, then short lines about Ann, Nat, a fan and a hat.
The lesson, step by step
Warm up
Turn back to Lesson II. Point to the new words at the top and have your child read them:
the ran Ann has
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.
Nat hat can fan
For short words, sound them out together, slowly, then fast. 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:
Ann and Nat.
Ann has a fan.
Then read the whole page once more, a little smoother.
Talk about the picture
SayLook at the picture together. What do you see?
SayWho has the fan?
Slate work
Your child copies a few of the new words onto the slate: hat, fan, can. 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: hat, fan, can. 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
Nat, hat, can, fan, cat, rat, ran: line them up on the slate. Your child will see the same -a- sound in every one.