Before you start: this is Lesson 62. It uses only sounds already taught in Lessons 1–61. If they have not done those yet it will feel too hard — ask their teacher where to start.
1. Say the practice words on the words page, then the heart words. A heart word has one part that cannot be sounded out — the little heart marks the bit to just remember.
2. Read the story on the next page. If they get stuck, don’t say the word. Point under the letters and say: “Say each sound, then say them fast” — “mmm – aaa – p … map!”
3. Read it three times — they color a circle each time.
4. They draw what happened, on the top half of the next page. No picture to copy — their drawing is how you see what they understood.
5. They write one sentence, on the lines under their drawing. The sentence to read aloud is in the box below.
“Pete gets a fine log to sit on.”
Once at normal speed, once slowly, and have them say it back before they write. If they get stuck on a word, say its sounds together — don’t spell it letter by letter.
Practice, not a test — don’t mark it wrong. If a word is misspelled, read it back exactly as they wrote it and let them hear the difference.
A wrong word, or a guess? Don’t say “no” — point at the word: “Try that one again — say each sound.” Fixing it themselves is the win.
Sounded it out twice, still stuck? Tell them the word and carry on. A few told words do no harm.
Stuck on nearly every line, or fed up? Stop — that is fine. Try an easier lesson, or this one tomorrow. Five happy minutes beat twenty cross ones.
1. What did Pete get to sit on?
A fine log. Line three says it. If your child is stuck, let them reread that line.
2. Why did Jane and Dad cut a hole in the log?
Because the log kept slipping off the rope, and the rope could go through the hole. Lines four to eight carry it.
3. When have you been on a swing? What was that like?
Any answer. The log swing is finished in line eight. This one just ties the story to them.
Checked word by word: all 85 words in this story use only sounds taught by Lesson 62, plus heart words already learned. Nothing here needs guessing.
The story is on the next page →
Jane and Pete want a swing at home. Dad hangs a long rope on a big pine. Pete gets a fine log to sit on. He sets it on the rope. It slips off. Pete holds the log on. It still slips off. "Cut a hole in it," said Jane. Jane and Dad cut a hole in the log. The rope goes in the hole and holds it. Pete gets on and Jane pulls him back. "The best swing!" said Pete with a big smile.
Read it again if you need to. Then draw what happened.
Your grown-up will say one sentence from the story. Say it back, then write it.