Teaching of Rules
In the text of the earlier grades, emphasis has been frequently directed toward the changes in words in forming plurals and adding suffixes and prefixes. Very little has been said when the only change has been the adding of “s.” This regular form causes no great trouble.
During the fifth year a few simple rules are presented. These have been frequently illustrated in earlier grades. The rules presented are those for which there is frequent use.
On pages 14, 17, and 19 the rule for writing derivatives of words ending in y preceded by a consonant is given with many illustrations. Throughout the year’s work, however, these words are occurring. Such words will be found in Lessons 20, 32, 34, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 50, 59, 91, 114, 115, 156. On page 28 the rule for writing the plurals of nouns ending in f or fe is given with illustrations. After these rules are taught the teacher should take every advantage offered for fixing the rules.