Grade 0 • Lesson 1: Objects • Teacher Guide & Key

Comprehensive Instructional Companion • First Book in Language by C. C. Long (Lesson I, pp. 11–12)

Teacher Key

Author's Pedagogical Note • To the Teacher (Original 1889 Edition, p. 11)

To the Teacher.—

  1. (1) Have the words written neatly in columns.
  2. (2) Call them name-words (or, if you prefer, nouns).
  3. (3) The words should be spelled correctly, but without separating into syllables.
  4. (4) Each word should be used in a complete sentence. Thus, if the red, round objects are an apple and a cherry, the sentences might be: “An apple is red and round”; “A cherry is red and round”; or “Apples and cherries are red and round.”
Part 1.1 (Read and discuss) & Part 1.2 (Memorize):
• Sensory Object Exploration: Guide the child to look around the room and touch desks, chairs, books, and tables to prove they are objects because they can be seen or touched.
• Home Objects: bed, clock, lamp, spoon, plate, shoe, mirror.
• Auditory & Nature Riddles: What barks? → dog. What catches mice? → cat. What makes honey? → bee.
Part 2.1 (Write the names of) & Part 2.2 (Telling) • Answer Key & Models
# Prompt (Textbook p. 11–12) Expected Name-Words Complete Sentence Model
1 Two objects that are red and round. apple, cherry, tomato, ball “An apple is red and round.” / “Apples and cherries are red and round.”
2 Two objects that grow in the ground. carrot, potato, turnip, radish, onion “Carrots and potatoes grow in the ground.”
3 Two objects that you use in play. ball, doll, kite, hoop, top, drum “I use a ball and a kite in play.”
4 Two objects that you ate to-day. bread, apple, egg, rice, meat, soup “I ate bread and fruit to-day.”
5 Four trees that bear fruit good to eat. apple tree, peach tree, pear tree, cherry tree, orange tree “Apple and peach trees bear fruit good to eat.”
6 Four animals that have four feet. dog, cat, horse, cow, sheep, rabbit “A dog, a cat, a horse, and a cow have four feet.”
7 Two objects that on two feet walk. boy, girl, man, woman, bird, duck “A boy and a bird walk on two feet.”
8 Two objects that can run and talk. boy, girl, brother, sister, child, friend “Boys and girls can run and talk.”

Charlotte Mason Pedagogical Guidance

  • Oral Habit Before Writing: Always lead the child into active verbal discussion before picking up the pencil.
  • Neatness over Quantity: Insist on proper pencil grip and steady formation on ruled lines.
  • Living Sentence Practice: Conclude by having the child say: “Tell something about each of the objects whose names you have written.”

Assessment Rubric (Primer ELA)

4 • Advanced Identifies 16+ accurate name-words; clear letter formation; fluent full sentences.
3 • Proficient Identifies valid objects; legible handwriting; forms complete oral sentences.
2 • Developing Needs hints to categorize objects; occasional spelling or penmanship errors.
1 • Beginning Requires teacher guidance to identify objects versus action verbs.