Spelling Demons
Spelling demons have been described as words which give trouble and need to be attacked as the knights of old attacked and overcame dragons and demons that brought trouble to mankind.
In Lessons 64 to 75 the hundred words described by Dr. Jones as the Hundred Demons of the English Language are given. Each of these words has been previously taught, some of them as early as the second grade. It is very probable, therefore, that for some children only a few of the words are “demons,” for a demon conquered is a demon no longer.
These lessons, therefore, should be used as a test to find out which children need further drill or new presentations of these difficult words. These words should have been fixed in previous grades, but if any pupil has not mastered the word now is the time to attempt to master it. However, it is individual work, not class work, which is needed.
On page 42 have been collected 132 of the 1,000 commonest words as selected by Ayres. This list should be used in a similar way. All of these words have been taught. The method to follow, then, is to test first to see what words, if any, need to be taught again to the class, and then what words should be emphasized with individuals.