The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-02-01

ulluSA SIdnu tle Terms IN winch the prln-
ciples of Grammar are expressed. This
can best be done in Garrett County by
the system have chosen to call ''Me-
chanical Devices" If an interest canbe
awakened in the student, inspiration to
greater efforts on his part will follow.
And these, if they are aided by the Me
chanical Devices and are directed by an
criminal and REsoURCEFUL teacher, will
cause the student to be fired with an
ambitious zeal which shall bring him
out victorious over the difficulties, over
the intricacies of English Grammar.
F. f. RATHBUN.
From a psychical standpoint, so
much may be said upon the subject of
grammar that have decided to give
only the practical rules of procedure in
my method of presenting grammar to
pupils in the schools of our county.
. Spencer says ''As grammar was made
after language, it ought to be taught af-
ter language" and l believe teachers
in general will agree that the teaching
Of technical grammar is a comparatively
easy task when the pupils have had
thorough training in language.
This training should begin in the first
year in school, The early written work
may consist Of sentence-copying, SEN
tence making, the names and addresses
of the pupils, their parents and their
school and tiny letters.
/ Oral lessons consist of correction of
common errors, vulgarism and province
aisms in use among the pupils, without
reference to grammar Great tact
must be used in these corrections, lest
the little one be early discouraged and
instead Of eager expression we meet
sullen retention of thought
At this stage the eye is the most used
avenue Of new ideas and for this reas-
on the young child should never see a
sentence that does not begin with cap
ital letter and end with the proper
mark ST punctuation.
To the second grade pupils may be
given the rules for placing capitals at
the beginning of sentences and names
Of persons and places. These have
been stated in the first year work, but
are now to be impressed upon the mind
as necessary.
Copying short paragraphs, making
sentences using new words in reading
lessons and simple lessons in letter writ
ing provide good busy work and prepare
the chid's mind for the work of after
years.
Third grade pupils may be given long
err paragraphs to copy as well as stanzas
of their school songs and selected poems.
Usually great interest is taken in the
construction of stories suggested by
simple pictures orally and in written
work. Short stories for reproduction
strengthen the recollective powers and
may be given frequently. Letter-writ-
ing should be part of each week s
program for this grade, the theme be-
ing sometimes suggested by the teacher
but more often allow original ideas.
For the fourth grade pupils more
practice and thought in letter writing
may be required and to the work a closer
look for faults be given. Copying short
conversations will fix in the mind an ex-
PLANTATION Of the use of quotation marks
EXactness should be required in all copy
work, but in criticising.original work,
one had better err on the side of mercy
than once discourage expression Cor
relate with history and geography by
requiring written questions and answers
upon these lessons, and with spelling by
sentences using words whose definitions
have been found and by the introduc-
ton Of synonyms.
In the fifth grade thorough review
of all former work in language is need
ed to prove the pupils fitness for open
ing lessons in grammar. Now may be
given letter-writing in polite and bus
mess forms, reproduction Of history and
geography lessons, narration Of anec-
dotes and current events, and ocasion-
ally compositions on common articles.
With written spelling lessons give prac-
tee in use Of synonyms and antonyms as
well as new words whose meanings
have been made clear In these exer-
cises may be found opportunity for ex-
planning the four kinds OF sentence. de
clarative, int5rrogative, imperative and
explanatory with abundant practice in
each form
Up to this period we give but the fol
lowing rules, their time of presentation
depending upon the facility with which
the class assimilates ideas The rules
are:
For the period regarding END Of SEN
tence, initials and authorizations; for
capitals regarding beginning of senten-
ce; poetry; names of persons, places,
months and the days Of the week; in
itials, titles of respect, direct quotations,
titles of publications and compositions.
! the pronoun | and interjection O; for