49. My dear puss

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

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

   James asks warm town then drives been show

   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 she'll, puss, harm, don't, fur and deeds.

   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 poem

   Read the poem aloud to your child first, with feeling. Then your child reads it with you, line by line, pointing to each word. It begins:

   I love my dear puss,

   Her fur is so warm;

4. Talk about the picture

   SayLook at the picture together. What do you see?

   SayWhat will puss do if we are kind to her?

5. Slate work

   Your child copies a few of the new words onto the slate: fur, puss. 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: fur, puss. 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.