The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-06-16

so we have used the sentence method
combined with the system OF phonics.
The results have been very satisfactory,
as the little folks have acquired the pow
or OF comprehending ~ sentence at a.
glance and giving good oral expression to
the same. The First grade completed
their render some time ago and are now
using the Interstate First Reader as
supplementary work. The II Division
have not used the reader but haveagoOd
foundation for next years work as they
have become acquainted With about one
hundred md seventy words. The {
Division have learned about fifty words.
WRITING. Special attention has been
given To this subject. The states are
ruled TO serve Ms o guide for the size oil
the letters. A lew directions are given In
regard to position and the holding Of the
pencil, but not enough 20 detract the
pupil from the thought he IL endeavorine
10 express. by this method some OF the
little folks have become very good writers
aud are able 10 give written expression
OF their thoughts.
LANGUAGE. The direct aim 81 these
lessons IL to lead the pupil to talk. This
can he done only by interesting him IN
objects he gees around him and directing
his attention to their relation 90 others.
Every lesson should be a language lesson.
In each exercise we lead the pupils togive
.,,.,,,.t ,,.aI a. ,,,aa,it,,, A.. il,ai, fhnuohta
by requiring complete sentence in an
swer 10 every question. The pupils are
drilled in hecorrect.use OF the following:
il. as, has, had, was, were, see, saw, ].
you, they, etc. Also they are required
to give in their own language the sub
stance Of their reading lessons aud To re-
produce simple stories which have been
read or told them.
SPELLING. In this grade no place Is
giving 10 distinctive spelling The pupils
bscome inmilar with the form OF the
written word 10y having the word contln.
ually before them and 10y reproducing
the same ON their states. The system of
phonics ~ used SO that in short time
the pupils can 1--WE the pronounciationoi
new words, when properly marked, with
out the aid Of the teacher.
NUMBERS. Work in this branch during
the first part of the year is done entirely
with objects BY the constant use al
kindergarten mnterinl the child nncon-
sciously gnins IA knowledge 81 numbers.
A lesson in piper folding affords excel
lent opportunities for number work. In
folding the upper edge TO the lower edge
the child may bo led TO see the halves IN
his piper and by other folds he can he
led To sec nearly all the fractional parts
81 unit.
The First Grade have finished nll the
combinations 81 the numbers from one
To ten using the 81 and -;
Roman notation Co ten; count aud
unite numbers Co thirty aud have be-
come acquainted with the following
fractional parts; ono-hnlf, one-third,
one.iourth, one-tfth, etc. b Division
have used objects with all their combi-
nations and have finished the number
seven. c Division are working with the
number five.
KINpFGGARTES. Have used Kinder
gnrten methods and devices whenever
convenient to illustrate any lesson.
With the first gift we have had memory,
Language and number exercises; noticed
form and color Of Sumo aud have used
the following occupations which accom-
pany the gift Asserting culors, making
chains. sewed surface and outline Of
balls. modelled clay beads, marbles,
fruits, etc, also developed the secondary
colors by crnyoning. The second gift
consists Of shpcre, cube and cylinder.
We have noticed the various qualities OF
above gift and made comparison with
the balls 81 the first gift.
Hive also used the following occupa.
tions OF the kindergarten paper folding,
sewing mat Weaving, tablet and stick
laying. in nll the above work cspccinl
attention has been given to neainess.
accuracy, order and prumptncss, thereby
forming habits which will he Of untold
value in future work.
MISCELLANEOUS. Our "Opening Exer-
ciscs" have been enjoyed throughout the
year. II has been our plan to take M
some subject 81 interest To the children
and dwell upon the same until quite
familiar To all. Choice quotations,
poems aud songs have been learned in
connection with subject under discussion.
Pupils have learned quotations from the
cary Poems" and selections from
'lliawntha's Childhood" Each Holt
day has been celebrated by appropriate
exercises consisting Of songs and rccita-
tions.
Happy u the Child who has the priv.
lsVc 81 attending good kindergarten
There his threeiold nature Is daily f,st-
cred aud and allowed 90 grow His
character il being 40 built up that he is
learning 10 find happiness in right doing