The Mother Tongue, Book I: Lessons in Speaking, Reading and Writing English · Secs. 337–341 · Part 2: Part Second
96. Yes and no, and a noted person
Goal: Your child sets off yes and no with a comma and writes an account of a famous person from research.
You'll need
- The book, open to this lesson
- Paper and pencil (a notebook kept just for this book works well)
- A library book or encyclopedia article about a famous person
What's in the book
Section 337 explains that yes and no can stand for whole sentences. Sections 338 and 339 give the comma rule and ask for written replies and a dictation. Section 340 asks the child to learn about a noted person (Washington, Lincoln, Longfellow), talk about them following set questions, and write the answers. Section 341 asks for an account of a famous person without the name, for others to guess.
The lesson, step by step
Yes and no (Section 337)
Ask your child five yes-or-no questions. Talk about how "Yes" alone means a whole sentence.
"Yes" and "no," expressing assent or denial, are separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.
Your child writes three replies: "Yes, that is my ball."
Choose a person (Section 340)
Your child chooses a famous person they want to know about. The book suggests Washington, Lincoln or Longfellow; any person worth knowing is fine.
Read and talk
Read a short account together (a library book or encyclopedia). Then talk through the book's questions: When did he live? Where? For what is he noted? What was his character? What work made us remember him? What stories show his character?
Write the answers
Your child writes an account of 8 to 12 sentences answering the questions, in their own words, perhaps in two paragraphs.
Check it gently
Check facts against the source. Then read it aloud: does it sound like your child's own words, not copied? Fix one thing.
Guess who (Section 341)
Another day: your child writes a few sentences about a famous person without the name, and the family guesses.
What a good result looks like
Example (written for this guide, not from the book):
Yes, I finished my lesson.
No, the mail has not come yet.
Abraham Lincoln lived from 1809 to 1865. He grew up on the frontier in Kentucky and Indiana and taught himself by reading borrowed books. He is remembered as the President who led the country through the Civil War. People called him "Honest Abe" ...
Tip
The research may take two sessions. Let the reading happen one day and the writing the next.