36 METHODS IN TEACHING 



is surprising. Memories thus trained hold on most tena- 

 ciously to what is read. 



The treatment of shorter poems is about the same as 

 that of divisions of long poems ; that is, mastery of a com- 

 plete thought; the connection of successive 

 Short Poems 



thoughts; a first reading for understanding 



the poem, for grasping its complete thought ; a second read- 

 ing for detailed study, for grasping and connecting the suc- 

 cessive thoughts ; separation of the purely interpretative and 

 the purely analytical ; oral reproductions or narratives based 

 on the thoughts of the poem; written reproductions; word 

 studies ; a final reading to leave in the mind the poem as a 

 whole, encasing its beautiful wordings and thoughts. A few 

 of the shorter poems by Whittier receive special geograph- 

 ical treatment, as " The Fishermen " and " The Lumber- 

 men." " The Poor Voter on Election Day " may be read 

 after a mock election. 



Illustrations of various sorts are used. There are Perry 

 pictures and selections from magazines and other publica- 

 tions ; the children make narrative drawings 

 Illustrations 



of incidents selected by themselves or sug- 

 gested by the teacher. This year Whittier's home on " that 

 bleak December day " was constructed by the children. The 

 house, the corncrib, the wellsweep, were made by the boys ; 

 cotton was used for the snow; the members of the family 

 were represented by tiny dolls dressed by the girls. The 

 miniature stage was set to show 



" Sweet doorway pictures of the girls," 



as the oxen and the drivers came plodding along down the 

 hillside. 



