To instil in the hearts of boys and girls a love for good literature is to give them a never ending source of happiness throughout life. Children can be interested in books by hearing stories read, by retelling them, and by reading them. The story of the author's life may add interest to the author's work. Much can be done in morning exercises to start children on the road to good reading. The more work children do themselves the more interested they will be. Following are suggestive literary programs:
Robert Louis Stevenson
Bible Reading by pupils—Philippians IV, 4-8
Stevenson's Prayer for a Day's Work, Recitation by pupil
Short story of Stevenson's life, Pupil
My Shadow, Pupil
The Land of Story Books, Pupil
God Speed the Right, Sung by School
The Flag Salute, School
Hans Christian Andersen
Psalm 100, Pupil
Lord's Prayer, School
A Poor Boy Who Became Famous, Retold by pupil
The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Retold by pupil
The Little Tin Soldier, Song by School
The Flag Salute, School
Henry W. Longfellow
The Arrow and the Song, Song by School
Bible Reading and Lord's Prayer
Scenes from Hiawatha, Dramatization by pupils
The Village Blacksmith, Recitation by pupil
DRAMATIC EXERCISES
When children are truly interested in reading, the natural outlet for the emotions aroused is dramatic action. Let different classes be responsible for dramatizing stories from their history or reading lessons and present the results in the morning exercises. The educative and socializing value to the class presenting the exercise is almost invaluable. Dramatizing the story makes an interesting incentive for a number of language lessons; rehearsing the play provides for much practice in oral expression; and producing the play before an audience gives valuable training in leadership, self confidence and poise.