McGuffey's Third Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson LXII · Part 7: Honest hearts

62. The Insolent Boy

Goal: Your child reads a longer story and explains how James Selton was cured of his rudeness.

⏱ About 25 minutes · 7 steps

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You'll need

  • The book, open to this lesson
  • A notebook or lined paper and a pencil

What's in the book

A long story about James Selton, who mocked people for their clothes, until he threw stones at a stranger who turned out to be his own uncle. Definitions at the end.

The lesson, step by step

  1. Warm up

    SayIs it fair to judge people by their clothes? Why not?

  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:

    Insolent, rude, insulting.

    Rarely, hardly ever.

    Rowdy, a low fellow, who engages in fights.

    Skulked, went in a sneaking manner.

    Tavern, a small hotel.

    Then find each word in the lesson.

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

  3. Read it aloud

    This is a long lesson. Take turns by paragraph, and split it over two days if needed.

    Here is a line from it:

    One afternoon, just as the school was dismissed, a stranger passed through the village.

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

  4. Talk about it

    SayHow did James treat people in plain or old clothes?

    SayWhat did James do to the stranger?

    SayWho was the stranger, and how did James feel when he found out?

    Then talk about the lesson of the reading:

    "It cured him entirely of his low and insolent manners."

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

  5. Tell it back or write it

    Close the book.

    SayTell me the story of James and the stranger.

    An older child can write two or three sentences about how the story ends.

  6. Dictation

    Show your child this sentence. Let them study it for a minute: the capitals, the commas, any hard words.

    He never forgot this lesson so long as he lived.

    Then close the book and read it aloud slowly while your child writes it. Open the book and check together.

  7. Spelling

    Say each word, use it in a sentence, and have your child spell it aloud, then write it: insolent, uncle, tavern, injury, entirely.

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

Afterwards

Reread the lesson aloud tomorrow before starting the next one, and review any missed spelling words.

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