31. Mary's Letter

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   Have your child reread a few lines of Lesson XXX, for example:

   The boat was a large one, and could not easily be upset.

   Praise smooth reading and help with any word that sticks.

2. Reading script

   This lesson has no word list. The whole letter is printed in script (handwriting). Run your finger under the first line and read it together slowly. Point out letters that look different in script from print, then let your child try the next lines.

3. Read it aloud

   This lesson is printed in script (handwriting). Read the first lines aloud while your child follows with a finger, then your child reads the whole letter aloud. Help with any letter shapes that are new.

   Here are a few lines from it:

   My Dear Fanny:

   Had it not been for this, you would to-day have no cousin.

   Read it a second time, more smoothly.

4. Talk about it

   SayWho wrote this letter, and to whom?

   SayWhich story from the last lesson does Mary tell about?

   SayWhat did Ed do? Who picked everyone up?

   SayHow is a letter different from a story in the book?

   Let your child look back at the page to find answers.

5. Tell it back

   Close the book.

   SayPretend you are Mary. Tell me about the boat trip.

   Let your child talk without stopping them. Afterward, help with anything left out by asking "What happened next?"

6. Copywork

   Write this script lines for your child to copy, or let them copy it straight from the book:

   My Dear Fanny:

   A man in another boat which was near, picked us up.

   Check capital letters, commas and the mark at the end.

7. Spelling

   Say each word, use it in a short sentence, and have your child spell it aloud, then write it: boat, near, water, man.

   Check together and fix any mistakes right away.