Part 3 — BLACKBOARD LESSONS AND PRIMER. (Time, about twelve weeks.)
Reading edition
Directions. 1. There are seventeen rhymes and simple poems in the Primer. The vocabulary is based on the words found in these rhymes and poems. Have the children memorize each rhyme. Write it upon the blackboard and teach the elements as in previous exercises. (See page 43, Part II, Lesson XXVII.)
2. Continue the blackboard lessons along with the reading of the Primer. If necessary, precede a lesson in the book with one or more development lessons on the blackboard. (See page 39, Part II, Lesson XXI.)
3. The enjoyment of poetry must be recognized as a legitimate part of the child's development. To meet this need a Supplementary List of Poems is given to be read in connection with the Primer lessons. Wherever possible the poems have been chosen from books of selected poems, because these are usually more accessible.
Reading from the Primer. Page 31, Paragraph 1. Ask a child to read the words spoken by Robin Redbreast; ask another child to read the words spoken by Pussy Cat; ask a third child to read the descriptive portions of the lesson.
Paragraph 2. Have the children read the sentences silently and observe the picture on the opposite page. Answer the directions aloud.
Proceed in the same way with paragraph 2, on page 32.
Page 43. While reciting the second part of each stanza have the children imitate the action named. This may also be played as a "Singing Game." (See Songs, Games and Rhymes by Eudora Lucas Hailmann.)
Page 45. Paragraph 1—Read the questions silently and answer them aloud. Proceed in the same way with similar lessons throughout the Primer.
Paragraph 2. Observation Game: Place a nut or some other object in a box. Let the children observe this for an instant only. Use for a blackboard lesson as follows:
1. Teacher, write question upon the blackboard. 2. Children, read the question silently. 3. Children, answer the question aloud.
The following is a suggestive method for the reading lesson on Page 45, paragraph 2. Ask two children to read the lesson as a dialogue. Ex.:
First Child: "Is it a red ball?" Second Child: "No. It is not a red ball." Etc.
Page 48. Rhythmic movement may accompany this lesson. Have four children cross right hands to form a windmill. Turn in time while repeating the rhyme Blow, Wind! Blow! Another windmill motion may be taught as follows:
Two children stand back to back. Extend the arms and move them alternately up and down with a gentle fanning motion. Have the children in their seats recite the rhyme Blow, Wind! Blow!
Page 62. Tap rhythmically with the finger tips upon the desk in imitation of the rain while reciting the poem, Rain.
Page 72. Ask several children to pass around the room. Ask a little boy to lift his cap as he passes by his friends and to greet them by saying, "How do you do, Mary?" Ask a little girl to bow to a friend as she passes by and to say, "How do you do,——?" (See game "Going Walking" in Popular Folk Games and Dances by Marie Ruef Hofer.) Use the words, "Good morning," if this form of greeting is preferred. Explain to the children that the name is added as a mark of courtesy.
Page 80. The blackboard lessons may be extended by adding other animals. Ex.:
1. With a "Moo! Moo!" here, etc.——cows. 2. With a "Quack! Quack!" here, etc.——ducks. 3. With a "Bow-wow!" here, etc.——dogs.
LIST OF POEMS.
The teacher may read the following poems to the children in connection with the reading lessons in the Primer as indicated by the pages.
11 "Twenty Froggies," by George Cooper.
Book: "Pinafore Palace," (Selections) Wiggin & Smith (Eds.).
26 "When Little Baby Bye-bye Goes." (Author unknown.)
Book: "Pinafore Palace."
33 "The Secret." (Author unknown.)
Book: "Songs of the Tree-Top and Meadow," (Selections) McMurry & Cook (Eds.).
49 "The Wind," by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Book: "A Child's Garden of Verses."
57 "Alice's Supper," by Laura E. Richards.
Book: "St. Nicholas, Vol. V."
59 "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." (Author unknown.)
Book: "Songs of the Tree-Top and Meadow."
63 "Who Likes the Rain?" by Clara Doty Bates.
Book: "Pinafore Palace."
65 "The Elf and the Dormouse," by Oliver Herford.
Book: "The Posy Ring," (Selections) Wiggin & Smith (Eds.).
66 "Thank You, Pretty Cow," by Jane Taylor.
Book: "The Posy Ring."
71 "Little Gustava," by Celia Thaxter.
Book: "Poems for Children."
103 "Little Jack Frost." (Author unknown.)
Book: "Pinafore Palace."
104 "The Snow-Bird's Song," by F. C. Woodworth.
Book: "Pinafore Palace."
107 "Bye, Baby, Night is Come," by Mary Mapes Dodge.
Book: "Rhymes and Jingles."