21. Humming-Birds

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   SayWhy do you think a humming-bird is called a humming-bird?

   If you can, look at a picture or watch a short video of one.

2. Words and meanings

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

   West Indies sugar-plum necessary adorn action approach motion object rapid instinct brilliant fibers attached defending severely

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

   Explain a few: brilliant means very bright; rapid means fast; fibers are thin threads.

3. Read it aloud

   Your child reads. Model the hard place names and long words first.

   Here is a line from it:

   The most beautiful humming birds are found in the West Indies and South America.

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

4. Talk about it

   SayWhere are the most beautiful humming-birds found?

   SayWhat was the tiny nest made of?

   SayWhat will a mother humming-bird do if you come near her nest?

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

5. Tell it back

   Close the book.

   SayTell me three things you learned about humming-birds.

   An older child can write them as three sentences.

6. Copywork

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

   The most beautiful humming birds are found in the West Indies and South America.

   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: rapid, motion, object, action, fibers.

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