68. The Violet

The lesson, step by step

1. Warm up

   If you can, find a violet or another small flower and look at it closely.

   SayWhy might a flower grow where nobody sees it?

2. Words and meanings

   Find these words in the poem and talk about them: modest, bower, humility.

3. Read it aloud

   Your child reads. This is a quiet poem; read it softly.

   Here are two of its lines:

   Down in a green and shady bed,

   A modest violet grew;

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

4. Talk about it

   SayWhere did the violet grow?

   SayCould it have grown somewhere grander? Why does it stay hidden?

   SayWhat does the poet want to learn from it?

   Then talk about the lesson of the reading:

   The violet teaches humility: being good and lovely without showing off.

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

5. Tell it back or write it

   SayTell me about the violet in your own words.

   An older child can write two or three sentences instead.

6. Copywork

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

   Down in a green and shady bed,

   A modest violet grew;

   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: violet, modest, shady, flower.

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