52. The Lord is near

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   Turn back to Lesson LI. Your child reads the new words at the top, then one sentence. 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.

   Lord smile joys tear morn griefs woes stars say

   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.

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:

   When the stars, at set of sun,

   Watch you from on high;

4. Talk about the picture

   SayLook at the picture together. What do you see?

   SayWhat does the poem say about the stars?

5. Slate work

   Your child copies a few of the new words onto the slate: stars, say. 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: stars, say. 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.