HISTORY IN GRAMMAR GRADES 



and bitter struggle between the patricians and the plebeians 

 by a few of the most stirring tales of those days. There are 

 pictures and descriptions of the temples, theaters, aqueducts ; 

 the military roads are admired by the pupils, who receive 

 through them some idea of the necessity of marching armies 

 quickly from one part of the Empire to the other. Greek 

 influence is noted in the artistic life of the people. Chariot 

 racing is made more vivid by reading the chariot race in 

 " Ben Hur." The war with Carthage is intensely interest- 

 ing, and keen sympathy is aroused for the conquered city. 

 Augustus Caesar is presented as one of the best emperors. 

 Nero is selected as a contrasting type, with his cruel perse- 

 cutions of the Christians. For many centuries the power of 

 Rome weakened. The children read with interest stories of 

 the barbarians who swept down upon Rome from the north, 

 terrifying the Empire, and finally subverting the conditions 

 of Roman life. 



This is but a meagre outline of the work given. Every- 

 where it is presented through stories, whose meanings are 

 often seen by the children without help. Connecting links 

 between periods must be supplied by the teacher, but these 

 are given in a few words that are made more comprehensible 

 by keeping the trend of events in every period before the 

 minds of the pupils. 



A large map of the country being studied is drawn upon 

 the board, and important places are located as they come up 

 in the recitations. This map is made per- 

 manent for the term by being outlined in 

 thin white paint. The places are located temporarily in 

 chalk, so that the day's lesson may be erased if desired with- 

 out destroying the outline. In a short time the principal 

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