/ METHODS IN TEACHING 



uses. Verbs are conjugated in the indicative mode, the prin- 

 cipal parts of the common verbs are known. Descriptive 

 adjectives are compared and used. Many adverbs are used 

 with a fair degree of accuracy, and most of them can also 

 be compared and used in the forms thus presented. Sin- 

 gulars and plurals of nouns in ordinary use have been learned, 

 and their possessive cases, both singular and plural, are in 

 constant and generally correct use. The nominative and 

 objective forms of the personal pronouns are known and used 

 correctly by the majority of pupils who will pass out of the 

 grade at the end of the year. Several relative pronouns are 

 in use, although the pupils know but little about them tech- 

 nically, probably not even their name. There is also some 

 acquaintance with prepositions and conjunctions ; with the 

 former in connection with the work on pronouns ; and with 

 the latter through the efforts to improve sentence structures. 

 Adjective and adverbial clauses are in frequent use, with a 

 very clear idea that they belong to the noun or the verb 

 modified, but there is no technical knowledge whatever 

 about them. 



ILLUSTRATIVE FOURTH GRADE PAPERS 



I 



Comparison of Adjectives 



bad worse worst near nearer nearest 



good better best many more most 



late later latest sweet sweeter sweetest 



II 



Correction of Errors noticed by Pupils 

 " I saw a wagon full with men." I saw a wagon full 

 of men. 



