Notes of Lessons: Plutarch’s Lives, Class II

[We have thought that it might be of use to our readers (in their own families) to publish from month to month during the current year, Notes of Lessons prepared by students of the House of Education for the pupils of the Practising School. We should like to say, however, that such a Lesson is never given as a tour de force, but is always an illustration or an expansion of some part of the children’s regular studies (in the Parents’ Review School), some passage in one or other of their school books.—Ed.]

Subject: Plutarch’s Lives • Class II • Time 20 minutes

By A. C. Edgar
The Parents’ Review, 1906, pp. 496-497

Objects

I. To help Gerry to form relations with the past.

II. To give him some further insight into the character of Pericles.

III. To increase his power of attention.

IV. To give him practice in narration.

Lesson

Step I.—Ask him to narrate what he has already learned of the war with the Samians.

Step II.—To find on a map the places which he has mentioned.

Step III.—Explain that the map is coloured so as to show distinctly the land belonging to three great Grecian tribes. Thus Gerry will be able to see that both the Athenians and the Samians were Ionians.

Step IV.—Read to him Pericles, p. 42. “Pericles . . . sea,” p. 43.

Step V.—Ask him if there is anything in the reading which he has not understood, and, if so, to explain to him his difficulties.

Step VI.—Ask him to narrate the passage read.

Step VII.—Draw his attention to some of the striking features of the scene at the rostrum, and ask him what qualities Pericles’ conduct there indicated.

Step VIII.—Read him the next paragraph, showing him on the map the places mentioned and explaining his difficulties.

Step IX.—Ask him to narrate what has been read.