Before you start: this is Lesson 78. It uses only sounds already taught in Lessons 1–77. 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.
“Meg and Mom get home before dark.”
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. Why could Meg not get corn at the store?
The store had no more corn at all. Send them back to that line.
2. What did Meg and Mom run past on the short path?
Thorns. It is one line, and it is the line most kids skim.
3. How did Meg feel when the store had no more corn? Find the words that show you.
Sad — line four says it. Then she thinks of the farm, and the story turns around.
Checked word by word: all 89 words in this story use only sounds taught by Lesson 78, plus heart words already learned. Nothing here needs guessing.
The story is on the next page →
Meg wants to make corn for Gran. She runs to the store before it shuts. The store has no more corn at all. Meg is sad. What can she make then? Then Meg thinks of Gran's corn at the farm. Mom and Meg run a short path past thorns. The corn stands tall next to the big barn. Meg picks the best corn she can spot. She fills a bag and they run back. Meg and Mom get home before dark. Gran grins and helps Meg cut the corn.
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.