57. Which Loved Best?

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   SayHow can you tell someone loves you, without them saying it?

2. Words and meanings

   Before reading, find the three children's names in the poem: John, Nell and Fan.

3. Read it aloud

   Your child reads. Read each child's "I love you, mother" in a different voice.

   Here is a line from it:

   "I love you, mother," said little John;

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

4. Talk about it

   SayWhat did John do after he said he loved mother?

   SayWhat did Nell do?

   SayWhat did Fan do all day? Which child loved mother best?

   Then talk about the lesson of the reading:

   Love shows in what we do, not only in what we say.

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

5. Tell it back or write it

   Close the book.

   SayTell me what each of the three children did, and how mother guessed.

   An older child can write two or three sentences instead.

6. Copywork

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

   Busy and happy all day was she,

   Helpful and cheerful as child could be.

   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: mother, busy, happy, helpful, cheerful.

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