2/8 METHODS IN TEACHING 



The following are some of the results out of the experi- 

 ence of a third grade teacher 1 : 



The first oral reproduction is often started out by ques- 

 tions and answers. Narratives are based upon headings 

 given orally by the teacher or written upon the board before 

 the children. One device, frequently employed, is to ask 

 the pupils for word pictures of people or events. The pupils 

 are first asked to imagine the picture clearly to themselves, 

 then to tell it aloud. Sometimes the whole is built up by 

 several children. 



The first stories for the year are written in class, the 



teacher at the board writing the sentences that, after careful 



deliberation, the pupils consider the best 



Writing presentation of a thought, and that the 



teacher considers acceptable. The pupils at 



their seats copy ; sometimes the copying is done later, as busy 



work. Very short stories are written by the pupils without 



outlines and unaided by questions. Short and frequent 



papers are more satisfactory from all points of view than 



long and occasional ones. 



Illustration with this grade is very interesting and is pro- 

 ductive of many good results. Pictures, relics, are kept 



before the class. Characteristic ways of 

 Illustrative . . , r 



Material dressing, houses occupied, and other facts 



are collected by the pupils. Perry pictures 

 are used to adorn the papers, and the production that is to 

 be thus embellished receives the utmost care in preparation. 

 Sometimes these penny pictures are given by the teacher as 

 a mark of recognition for an especially meritorious paper, 

 or the children purchase them for themselves. The pupils 



l Miss Elizabeth Perry. 



