17. What the Minutes Say

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   Set a timer for one minute and sit quietly together until it rings.

   SayThat was one minute. How much can you do in one minute?

2. Words and meanings

   There is no word list today. Talk about track (a path) and wings before reading.

3. Read it aloud

   Your child reads. The minutes are talking, so read in a quick, light voice, like something flying past.

   Here are two of its lines:

   We are but minutes--little things!

   Each one furnished with sixty wings,

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

4. Talk about it

   SayWhy does each minute have sixty wings?

   SayWhat happens to a minute once it is gone?

   SayWhat do the last two lines mean?

   Then talk about the lesson of the reading:

   "Who uses minutes, has hours to use; Who loses minutes, whole years must lose."

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

5. Tell it back

   SayIn your own words, what do the minutes want us to know?

6. Copywork

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

   Who uses minutes, has hours to use;

   Who loses minutes, whole years must lose.

   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: minutes, wings, track, hours.

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