Notes of Lessons: Reading, Class Ib

[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: Reading • Group: English • Class Ib • Time: 20 minutes

By Vera Bishop
The Parents’ Review, 1909, p. 712

Objects

I. To give an interest in reading.

II. To help them to read in an “understanding” way.

III. To gain accuracy and expression in reading.

IV. To help them to form the habit of clear and distinct enunciation.

V. To improve their spelling.

Lessons

Step I.—Give a few breathing exercises before beginning to read in order to exercise the respiratory organs.

Step II.—Let them read “The Fairies,” by W. Allingham, helping them with any difficult words.

Step III.—Let them look again at any words not known, until they know them perfectly.

Step IV.—Draw from the boys the rhythm and expression necessary for this poem, connecting it with a former “Picture Talk,” by mentioning that every poet wishes to convey a message just as the artist does, and that it is their duty to interpret the message.

Step V.—Let them read the whole poem through again fluently, and with just expression.

Step VI.—Let them study six words until they are certain that they know them.

Step VII.—Give them blackboards, and let them write, from dictation the words studied. Words—mountain, together, pancakes, journeys, feather, bridge.

Step VIII.—Draw from the boys their ideas as to how this poem might be made use of for an original illustration.