46 METHODS IN TEACHING 



ented authors. Companionship with great writers means 

 that a child's leisure may be valuably rilled, and that an in- 

 tangible, immeasurable influence may have begun to elevate 

 his life. No matter how many ends have been served by the 

 child's study of literature, surely, this is the highest. 



In literature, as in the other studies, a notebook is kept by 

 every pupil. Some of the papers it contains are original, 

 some are the result of class work, some are given in sub- 

 stance by the teacher; there are maps, drawings, illustra- 

 tions, suggestions from various sources. The result is often 

 a very pleasing whole, although failures and imperfections 

 mar this phase of the work as frequently as any other, for 

 the notebooks are as purely individual as any other part of 

 the year's work. 



EIGHTH YEAR GRADE 



During this last year of the grammar grades the works 

 read are principally from American authors, although Scott 



and Dickens are also represented. It is in- 

 Material 



tended to associate every American author 



read with the period of history in which he belongs, and to 

 present some of the formative influences of his times. Pe- 

 riod dates are to be kept in mind, but it is hoped to accom- 

 plish this by grouping events around a central date rather 

 than by sheer memory of many dates. 



Acquaintance with the author is broadened and deepened 

 by reading aloud to the class additional poems or extracts 

 from stories and essays, and in many ways the teacher tries 

 to keep the pupils interested, thoughtful readers. In their 

 pleasure will be found an incentive to read more; in their 



