92 METHODS IN TEACHING 



the farthest-reaching in its effects, is for the teacher to pass 

 from desk to desk while the writing is in progress, calling 

 attention to mistakes as they are made, the pupils correcting 

 immediately. The force of the correction seems to be more 

 easily comprehended by both teacher and pupil. This plan 

 is most feasible in reproductions, where little interruption 

 to the thought is to be feared. 



In these days one mentions formal grammar almost with 

 an apology for the words ; but, no matter what the fads of 

 the day, a scholar always has a wholesome 

 Grammar respect for the essentials of English gram- 



mar. If every child could be brought up 

 where he heard only correct expressions, he might never 

 have to hesitate between right and wrong forms of speech ; 

 but, as such ideal conditions rarely exist, all pupils need 

 careful training in grammar and in its application. I think 

 that it was Holmes who said: "Grammar is the humble, 

 oft-despised, but truly loyal hand-maid of thought's best 

 expression." 



During this year, formal grammar takes a recognized 

 place in the curriculum, and a fairly thorough study is made 

 of the parts of speech with their forms and modifications. 

 When any part of speech is taken up its various uses in a 

 sentence are carefully dwelt upon, and illustrative sentences 

 are constructed. That is, the noun as subject of a verb; 

 object of a verb, participle, infinitive; a predicate noun; 

 object of a preposition; possessive modifier of a noun or an 

 infinitive; appositive modifier of the subject, object, predi- 

 cate noun; as an adverb. The other parts of speech are 

 treated in the same way, and the vocabularies of the pupils 

 grow visibly more flexible through the knowledge gained. 



