6. If the story is a difficult one, do not ask for its reproduction until it is thoroughly understood. Make its meaning clear by skilful questioning, which with the answers makes an extremely valuable conversation lesson.
7. Encourage the use of beautiful expressions, of fine figures of speech. Do it by using such expressions yourself and by pointing them out in the story or poem you are using.
8. Beware of spoiling a beautiful poem or an elegant prose selection by poor reproduction. After the story has been related and the meaning made clear have the original read several times exactly as it is written and encourage the children to commit it to memory.
There are in Journeys Through Bookland many selections suitable for these oral lessons. For the little folks there are some of the Nursery Rhymes, of Volume I, like the following:
- Little Boy Blue, Page 33.
- Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, Page 30.
- Ladybird, Ladybird, Page 12.
- Little Bo-Peep, Page 9.
- Jack and Jill, Page 27.
- Poor Robin, Page 16.
- There Was a Jolly Miller, Page 47.
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Page 44.
In the same class may be included those beautiful poems by Stevenson and Field, poems that every child loves and will be delighted to talk about. For instance, the following from the same volume:
- The Swing, Page 67.
- Singing, Page 83.
- The Rock-a-by Lady, Page 94.
- My Bed is a Boat, Page 126.
- Foreign Lands, Page 130.
- Little Blue Pigeon, Page 133.
- The Land of Counterpane, Page 144.
- Norse Lullaby, Page 246.
- Where Go the Boats? Page 256.
- Wynken, Blynken and Nod, Page 262.
- Keepsake Mill, Page 349.
- The Duel, Page 384.
The last list, however, includes many of those poems which must not be spoiled by childish re-telling. Use them for conversation subjects and then for reading or recitation.
The fables will be found to provide excellent material, and there need be no fear of ruining their effect as literature:
- The Lion and the Mouse, Volume I, page 75.
- The Wolf and the Crane, I, 96.
- The Lark and Her Young Ones, I, 131.
- The Cat and the Chestnuts, I, 142.
- The Sparrow and the Eagle, Volume II, 8.