Lesson 36: Teacher Answer Key & Guide
TEACHER KEY
Classical Dictation Method
Charlotte Mason Dictation Protocol: Dictation tests visual habituation and auditory processing. Have the child inspect Section 1 for 2–3 minutes, identifying troublesome words (young, beautiful, mane). Cover the model, dictate each sentence once with distinct enunciation, and expect immediate transcription.
1. There are birds on that tree.
Analysis: Expletive introductory There (capitalized). Demonstrative adjective that modifying tree.
2. See them feed their young.
Analysis: Imperative sentence beginning with verb See. Possessive determiner their modifying the substantive adjective young. Notice phonics: feed (ee) and young (ou).
3. Mary and Annie live there.
Analysis: Compound proper subject requiring capitalization on both Mary and Annie. Adverb of place there modifying live.
4. Their pony has a beautiful mane.
Analysis: Capitalized possessive Their. Vocabulary check: mane (long hair on horse's neck) vs. homophone main. Tricky spelling: beautiful.
• Homophone Confusion: If the child writes *"They're pony"* or *"There pony"*, have them underline the noun pony and ask: *"Who owns the pony? What spelling means belonging to them?"* (T-H-E-I-R).
• Proper Nouns: Ensure Mary and Annie both start with majestic capitals.
| Evaluation Focus |
Exemplary (Proficient) |
Developing (Needs Support) |
| Spelling Accuracy |
100% correct spelling of all words, including there, their, young, beautiful, mane. |
1–2 errors in homophones or irregular phonics words (e.g. *"thier"*, *"main"*). |
| Mechanics & Capitalization |
Initial capitals on all 4 sentences; capitals on Mary and Annie; periods at all 4 ends. |
Omitted capital on proper names or missing end periods. |
| Penmanship & Neatness |
Letters resting squarely on baseline; clean spacing between words; no scribbling or messy erasures. |
Crowded word spacing or floating letters above guidelines. |