53. The Owl (concluded)

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

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

   "Where did you get that owl, Harry?"

   Praise smooth reading and help with any word that sticks.

2. New words

   Point to the new words at the top of the lesson:

   while bones scarcely mouser mice rolled surprised swallows winking comical ducklings capture

   Say each word and have your child say it after you. Clap the parts of long words. Then point to words in any order and let your child read them.

3. Read it aloud

   Look at the picture together first, if there is one. Then your child reads the lesson aloud, one paragraph at a time. Help with any word by pointing to it in the word list.

   Here are a few lines from it:

   "What are you going to do with him, Harry?"

   "Let him go."

   Read it a second time, more smoothly.

4. Talk about it

   SayWhy does Harry want to let the owl go?

   SayWhat does Harry's father say an owl is good at?

   SayHow does an owl eat a mouse?

   SayDo you agree with Harry's choice?

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

5. Tell it back

   Close the book.

   SayTell me what Harry decided to do with the owl, and why.

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

6. Copywork

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

   He doesn't like this cage half so well as his old oak tree.

   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: mice, bones, while, rolled.

   Check together and fix any mistakes right away.