CHAPTER VII 

 WORD STUDY 



One charm in a ready speaker lies in his mastery of 

 words. Whether this power is natural or acquired it is the 



growth of years. Observation, accuracy. 

 Power Over 

 Words use, are the means by which it is built up. 



Observation of new words; accuracy of 

 meaning and pronunciation; frequent, familiar use in con- 

 versation and writing. Children begin their word studies 

 with phonics, which should be continued through three or 

 four years, until a thorough foundation has been laid for all 

 ordinary pronunciations and spellings. The dictionary and 

 analysis of words carries forward this systematic acquaint- 

 ance even into the high school, where language studies sup- 

 plement the work begun in the phonics of the first grade 

 Drills in phonics are daily exercises during the first three 

 years in school. The first thought is to secure distinct artic- 

 ulation and accurate pronunciation, and, by 

 Phonics 



providing a key to language, to prepare th< 



children for independent, self-reliant reading. Both the ear 

 and the eye must be trained. The ear must learn to recog- 

 nize sounds readily, through slow pronunciation, or sepa- 

 ration of a word into its sounds ; ear training should precede 

 sight training. The eye must learn to know instantly the 

 letter, syllable, or word presented to it. For this purpose 

 every primary room should be provided with cards, on 

 which are the letters, phonograms and sight words to be 



100 



