15. Harry and Annie

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   SayWhy do you think grown-ups warn children to keep off ice in the spring?

2. Words and meanings

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

   least bade thaw sliding plunged scatter pretend exploring disobedient

   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 thaw is to melt; bade means told; disobedient means not doing what you were told.

3. Read it aloud

   Your child reads. Read Annie's "But you promised mother" with feeling to show the worry in her voice.

   Here is a line from it:

   "Do n't go across the pond to-day, children," she said,

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

4. Talk about it

   SayWhat did their mother tell them, and why?

   SayWho wanted to cross the ice, and who did not want to?

   SayWhat happened on the ice, and how were they saved?

   Then talk about the lesson of the reading:

   The children learn, the hard way, why they should obey their mother.

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

5. Tell it back

   Close the book.

   SayTell me the story of Harry and Annie and the pond.

6. Copywork

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

   "But you promised mother," said Annie.

   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: thaw, sliding, plunged, pretend, least.

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