Lesson:

1. 'Come and sit by my knee, Jane, and grandfather will tell you a strange story.


2. 'One bright Summer day, I was in a garden in a city, with a friend. We rested underneath a fig tree. The broad leaves were green and fresh.


3. 'We looked up at the ripe, purple figs. And what do you think came down through the branches of the fig tree over our heads?'


4. 'Oh, a bird, grandfather, a bird!' said little Jane, clapping her hands.


5. 'No, not a bird. It was a fish; a trout, my little girl.'


6. 'Not a fish, grandfather! A trout come through the branches of a tree in the city'! I am sure you must be in fun.'


7. 'No, Jane, I tell you the truth. My friend and I were very much surprised to see a fish falling from a fig tree.


8. 'But we ran from under the tree, and saw a fishhawk flying, and an eagle after him.


9. 'The hawk had caught the fish, and was carrying it home to his nest, when the eagle saw it and wanted it.


10. 'They fought for it. The fish was dropped, and they both lost it. So much for fighting!'

Teaching Guide:

Step 1: Study the New Words

  • Listen to the new words.
  • Recite each of the new words aloud.

Step 2: Examine the Lesson Image

Describe the image, its setting, and its characters.

Step 3: Read the Lesson Passage

  • Find each new word in the passage.
  • Practice reading the passage, both silently and aloud.
  • Upon mastering the passage, recite it aloud to your instructor.

Step 4: Complete Lesson Copywork, Narration, and Dictation

Complete the associated copywork, narration, and dictation for this lesson. Click the icon to access the page.   

Step 5: Discuss the Lesson

  • How did a fish fall from the sky in the story?
  • Does the phrase, 'raining cats and dogs' mean cats and dogs fall from the sky?