FIRST YEAR
FIRST WEEK
Monday
Talk about the new year. What is this month called? What was last month? What is the name of the new year? What was the name of the last year? How many days has January? What season is this? What are the months of the winter season? What season comes after winter?
Tuesday
Write the word January; also the date.
Wednesday
To be taught to the children:
Sixty seconds make a minute,
Something sure you can learn in it;
Sixty minutes make an hour,
Work with all your might and power;
Twenty-four hours make a day,
Time enough for work and play.
Seven days a week will make;
You will learn, if pains you take.—Selected
Thursday
Practise learning the rhyme of the day before.
Friday
Write: Seven days make a week.
SECOND WEEK
Monday
Write:
On Monday, when the weather is fair,
I always wash the clothes.
Tuesday
Write:
On Tuesday I can iron them,
Even if it rains and snows.
Wednesday
Write:
On Wednesday I do all the mending,
I like the mending too.
Thursday
Write:
On Thursday I receive my friends;
I have nothing else to do.
Friday
Write:
Friday is the time to sweep,
To dust, and set things right.
The teacher may recite the following to the children, then have the entire poem of the week played as a game, with appropriate actions:
On Saturday I always cook,
Then put all work from sight.
And Sunday is the day of rest;
I go to church dressed in my best.
—Selected
THIRD WEEK
Monday
Learn the names of the months, by having a procession of children representing the various months, led by the New Year. The little folks will enjoy the game, and will learn the names of the twelve months, in their order, without realizing that they are doing anything but play.
Tuesday
Story poem, to be recited (or read, if needs must) to the children, by the teacher:
A MYSTERY
I put my coat and furs and mittens on, to go
With my cunning Christmas sled, out to see the pretty snow.
I made some little balls, and they looked as white and nice—
I tried how one would taste, but it was just as cold as ice.
I took some to the kitchen then, because I thought, you see,
I’d bake them just like apples—they’d be good with cream and tea.
I didn’t say a single word about it to the cook,
When I put them in the oven, but when she gave a look,
She stared, and held her hands up, and said: “For pity’s sake!
Who put this water in here, and spoiled my ginger cake?”
I couldn’t tell. It wasn’t I; but I would like to know,
Where did my pretty apples, that I was baking, go?
—Selected
After reciting the poem, ask the children what became of the snow apples.
Wednesday
Talk about snow; snowballs; sliding on the snow; sleighing; a snow man.
Thursday
Write: I can make a snowball.
Friday
To be told; for the children to guess:
WHAT AM I?
I live in a hole just above somebody’s chin. I have to stay there, for I am fastened in.
It is because of me that boys and girls like good things to eat. To please me, they eat candy and fruit.
It is because of me that boys and girls are often kept after school. They forget, and use me when they ought not to.
I am always wanting to taste, taste, taste. I am always wanting to talk, talk, talk.
Who can guess what I am?
FOURTH WEEK
Monday
Children write the words necessary to complete the following:
Jack and ——
Went up the ——,
To get a —— of water.
—— fell down
And —— his crown,
And —— came tumbling after.
Tuesday
Have the children give all the words they can that rhyme with hat. Write the list on the blackboard, and use it for drill in phonics.
Wednesday
To be taught to the children:
If you can’t be the big sun, with his cheery smile,
You can be the cheerful sunbeam for a little while.
Thursday
Play “I am thinking of something,” using objects in the school-room.
Friday
Have the children mention as many objects as they can think of that are blue; green; yellow; white.