27. The New-Year

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   SayIf someone gave you some money as a present, what would you do with it?

2. Words and meanings

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

   Edward receive repeat language wretched shivering German thousand gratitude understood

   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: wretched means very unhappy and poor; gratitude means thankfulness.

3. Read it aloud

   Your child reads. Help with the conversation between Edward and his father.

   Here is a line from it:

   "I wish you a happy New Year," said Edward, as he was gayly passing on.

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

4. Talk about it

   SayWhat did Edward plan to do with his money?

   SayWho did he meet, and what did he do?

   SayHow did his father feel about it?

   Then talk about the lesson of the reading:

   Helping the poor and wretched can make every year a happy one.

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

5. Tell it back

   Close the book.

   SayTell me what Edward did on New Year's morning.

6. Copywork

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

   "I wish you a happy New Year," said Edward, as he was gayly passing on.

   Gayly is an old spelling. Today we write gaily.

   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: receive, repeat, thousand, language.

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