ORAL AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE 93 



The time devoted to language and grammar is twenty- 

 five minutes daily. Compositions based upon other subjects 

 are written during the periods given to those branches. 

 " Evangeline's Search for Gabriel," "A Day at Ichabod's 

 School," belong to the literature period; "The Battle of 

 Lexington," " Our Flag," are history writing ; " The Story 

 of Belgium," "Eve of Waterloo," are geography papers; 

 but any of them may come into the language period for 

 correction and discussion as to treatment. 



Several seventh grade drills, taken from the notebooks of 

 pupils, are given below. 



USE OF MAY, CAN; MIGHT, COULD 



Statements to be remembered: May asks and gives per- 

 mission. Can implies ability to do something. 



Can I go ? means, Am I able to go ? 



You can go, means, You are able to go. 



May I go ? means, Have I permission to go ? 



You may go, means, You have permission to go. 



I, myself, know best whether or not I can do a thing. 

 Whether or not I may do a thing usually depends upon my 

 receiving permission to do so. 



I hope I can go, but I am not yet well. 



I hope I may go, but my father may not consent. 



You may go, Charles, and see whether you can unlock 

 that door. 



Mr. Brown told John he might stay over night. 



I wish you could get your lessons without help from 

 others. 



