The Mother Tongue, Book I: Lessons in Speaking, Reading and Writing English · Secs. 214–217 · Part 1: Part First
64. Answering notes, and a fable for dictation
Goal: Your child writes a polite reply to an invitation and writes a short fable from dictation.
You'll need
- The book, open to this lesson
- Paper and pencil (a notebook kept just for this book works well)
What's in the book
Section 214 is a note from Uncle Jack in Philadelphia inviting his nephew to the Park and the Zoo; Section 215 is a note from cousin Elsie inviting Kate to tea; both ask for replies. Section 216 is "The Faint-Hearted Mouse", for dictation. Section 217 asks for Uncle Jack's note from dictation.
The lesson, step by step
Read the two notes
Read Uncle Jack's note and Elsie's note together.
We can start at one. Let me know where to meet you.
Ask: What does each writer want to know in the reply?
Write a reply (Section 214 or 215)
Your child chooses one and writes a reply of 3 to 5 sentences, answering what was asked (Uncle Jack needs to know where to meet you). Use all the parts of a note.
Check it gently
Ask: Does your reply answer the question? Is it polite and warm? Fix one thing.
Read the fable (Section 216)
Read "The Faint-Hearted Mouse" together.
"You have the heart of a mouse, and cannot be helped by wearing the body of a nobler animal."
Ask: What does the magician mean?
Dictation
Your child studies paragraphs 1 and 2, noting every mark. Then you read them aloud slowly and your child writes them. Your child checks against the book and fixes their own mistakes.
What a good result looks like
Example (written for this guide, not from the book):
Dear Uncle Jack,
Thank you! I would love to go to the Park and the Zoo with you. I will meet you at the gate of the Zoo at one o'clock.
Your loving nephew,
Jack.
Afterwards
Section 217: write Uncle Jack's note from dictation another day. Ask: why is the heading written on three lines? (Street, city, date.)