The mode of travelling is written beside the name of each familiar bird as the children make the discoveries, thus:—
| Robin | hops. runs. flies. | Crow | walks. flies. |
Questions arise during the recitation which the children will answer later from observation. That the children may not forget them they are placed high up on the board where they can be preserved. Frequent reference is made to them to see if the pupils are prepared to answer them. When a question is answered it is erased, making room for another.
THE READING RECITATION
For the early reading, Games, Literature, and Nature Study may form the basis.
(I) Games as a Basis for the Reading. The child enters school from a life of play. It is our purpose, so far as possible, to make use of this natural bent of the child to insure interest in his reading, as well as to give him the free exercise, which he needs, of his muscles. It may be urged as an argument against the use of the games, that they are too noisy and attract the attention of the children who are busy at their seats. Often it would be a good thing for these children to watch the younger ones at their games. It would rest them and put them into closer sympathy with the little ones. In a short time they will not care so much to watch them. The little children should be thoughtful of the older ones and move about as quietly as is possible.
The following are some of the games which we have used in our primary school. They are given in the way of suggestion only. They are played at first by following spoken directions. When the children are perfectly familiar with the oral direction, the written direction is gradually substituted. The children do not stay long enough on one game to become tired of it. Two or three or even more are played at a single recitation. It is not the plan to drill the pupils upon the written directions, but by frequent repetitions to familiarize them with them. The games are most suitable for the very earliest reading lessons. The plan for teaching one of them, the first one given here, will be written out quite fully. The others will be given with less detail.
THE RING GAME
Material.—Six celluloid rings, red, white, blue, yellow, green, and black. Surcingle rings can be painted the colors desired.