12. A Walk in the Garden

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   SayHave you ever visited a garden or a shop where you were asked not to touch anything? Was it hard?

2. Words and meanings

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

   shook gravel invited assure continued plants borders enjoyed middle admiring

   Read them together a few at a time. Clap the syllables of the long ones. The book prints these words without meanings.

   Explain in your own words: to assure someone is to promise them; admiring means looking at something with pleasure.

3. Read it aloud

   Your child reads. Model the gardener's and the mother's speeches if needed.

   Here is a line from it:

   I wish I might open the gate, and walk in.

   Then let your child reread a favorite part, more smoothly.

4. Talk about it

   SayWhat did Frank have to promise before he went into the garden?

   SayWhy was another boy not allowed in?

   SayHow did Frank feel at the end?

   Then talk about the lesson of the reading:

   The story says a boy is happier by not meddling with what does not belong to him.

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

5. Tell it back

   Close the book.

   SayTell me about Frank's walk in the garden.

6. Copywork

   Your child copies this from the book in their best handwriting:

   Frank saw and felt how much happier a boy may be by not meddling with what does not belong to him.

   This is a long sentence. Copy it in two parts if your child tires.

   Check capitals and marks together.

7. Spelling

   Say each word, use it in a sentence, and have your child spell it aloud, then write it: gravel, plants, middle, garden, invited.

   Check together and fix any mistakes right away. Keep missed words for tomorrow's warm-up.