Suggestive Drill in Language for Third Grade
By Vina M. Sherwood
NOTICING the repeated calls for suggestions in the Educational department of the REVIEW, I make bold to offer a few upon English drill. I find the story form does not grow so monotonous; for the children are interested in watching the story develop. One writer, in speaking of this method, says, “It is really the game of English to be learned like the multiplication table.” The drill has given good results thus far. I find that after children have had incorrect forms drilled into their minds from babyhood at home, nothing but a drill in correct forms will ever counterbalance. Sometimes objects are used; as to-day, in our class each child held and used a pair of scissors, while the words “has” and “have” were used. At first the incorrect forms, “It is me who has the scissors,” or, “It is I who has the scissors,” were given by several. In many localities during the month of March the robin returns. Have the children watching for him. When he is first discovered, give this drill:— “SAW” AND “SEEN,” TO AVOID “SAWN” AND “I SEEN”
I saw the first robin to-day. In March I saw the first robin. Class: We have seen other robins on posts. One Pupil: I have seen other robins on posts. Ask the class to give oral sentences, the teacher writing them on the board. Have the pupils pass to the board and write these verb forms in sentences; the teacher giving suggestive words, as, Write a sentence containing the words “we” and “robin.” Allow them to exchange places and correct. THE WORDS “AMONG” AND “BETWEEN”
The robin is up among the branches. Between the forks of a limb she will build her nest. God helped her to choose the place between the forks. The tree is between the house and the barn. We are between the tree and the house. Jane is hiding among the tall weeds near the tree. The robin is tugging at a rag between the tree and the barnyard fence. Now Jane is in the barnyard among the gentle cows. Robin flies away among the trees in the orchard. Now we may pass between the tree and the fence to the barnyard gate. Between Dan and Jane is a white calf. Between him and her stands the old cow. There are two cows between Jane and me. Here comes Rover among the cattle. Rover tries to run between Dan and the white calf. Now there is no white calf between Dan and her (Jane). The old cow stands between her calf and him (the dog). Call Rover between you and me. There, Rover has gone between you and her again. We will all run out from among the cows. I hear birds singing sweetly. I heard the birds sing at daybreak. I hear mother calling us to dinner. “Come, Jane and Dan, you heard mother calling. When we hear her call, we should obey promptly.