It is not necessary to copy each word more than once. The common part or family name—the combination of letters that requires special drill—is repeated in each word.
As pupils gain facility in written letter forms, they should copy their lessons once in script from the printed lesson in the book. For the first ten lessons, however, the teacher may well take the time to have the work copied from the board.
Dictating a Spelling Lesson
The teacher who truly means to make her children realize the importance of accurate spelling and neat writing will see that each child has a notebook in which to keep his spelling lessons. She will show him just how the work should be arranged in his book. (The child’s spelling book shows a good arrangement.) She will insist that he follow the arrangement and that his penmanship be neat. If the teacher cannot provide regular blank books for spelling, the children may make their own of regular writing paper, fastening the requisite number of sheets together with two Magill fasteners, or sewing them with thread or raffia.
In dictating, pronounce each word clearly and distinctly. Have the children repeat, then write the word. This habit of correct pronunciation of the words cannot be overemphasized. It has been said, and the saying is true, “A word correctly pronounced is half spelled.”
Marking and Correcting Papers
When a lesson is perfect, mark it. Mark it perfect. That is the mark primary children like best. Mark it in colored pencil. If the child has made a special effort in writing or in neatness, show your appreciation and observation by affixing a star or some other symbol to his paper. Encourage him, make him proud of his spelling, proud of his writing, proud of his book, proud of himself.
Give no spelling mark but the mark for perfect work.
When a child makes a mistake in spelling, call his attention to it. If it is only a careless mistake, he will spell the word orally. The teacher then erases the mistake, and the child corrects it. If, however, the child has not mastered the correct spelling, he should be referred to his book. When he can spell the word, the teacher erases the incorrectly spelled word, and the child writes it correctly.
The correcting of the lesson should follow as soon as possible the writing of the lesson. In order that this may be done in the same period, the lessons are kept very short. In order that there may be few mistakes the lessons are very simple. If the lessons are studied as suggested, there should be very few errors to correct. If the work is corrected as definitely as outlined, the pupils will soon learn what is required of them, and will take pride in having a perfect, attractive book. The arousing of such pride, and the cultivation of habits of correctness and neatness are of incalculable value.