49. Deeds of Kindness

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   SayWhat is the smallest kind thing someone has ever done for you?

2. Words and meanings

   This lesson's definitions are printed at the end, after the reading. Read a few of them together before you start:

   Widow, a woman whose husband is dead.

   Trudged, walked.

   Gutter, the lower ground or channel along the side of a road.

   Occasions, chances, opportunities.

   Then find each word in the lesson.

   SayCan you use one of these words in a sentence of your own?

3. Read it aloud

   Your child reads. Model the boys' polite offer and the woman's thanks.

   Here is a line from it:

   One day, as two little boys were walking along the road, they overtook a woman carrying a large basket of apples.

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

4. Talk about it

   SayHow did the boys help the woman? Did they want to be paid?

   SayWhy did the little girl pick up the orange peel?

   SayWhy does the book say we should not wait to do great things?

   Then talk about the lesson of the reading:

   "We must begin with little labors of love."

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

5. Tell it back or write it

   Close the book.

   SayTell me about the two kind deeds in this lesson.

   An older child can write two or three sentences instead.

6. Copywork

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

   We must begin with little labors of love.

   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: trudged, gutter, tread, apples.

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