SUGGESTIONS FOR SEVENTH YEAR
The Story
The work of each book begins with a story intended to impress the children with the importance of seeing the word exactly, hearing the word correctly, and pronouncing the word accurately. “The Efficient Guide” emphasizes these points together with the necessity of learning to spell the word correctly the first time. The right use of the story will help to impress upon the children the fact that in spelling, as in the industrial world, there is no second chance. A thing is right or it is wrong.
Roots and Derivatives
The Aldine Speller has emphasized throughout its text the importance of developing a “spelling consciousness.” A simple list of words is inadequate to accomplish this. The work of the seventh grade continues this development by emphasizing the importance of roots and derivatives. Teachers have been repeatedly urged to present all derivatives whenever the root word has been given. The formal study of roots and derivatives is a large part of the work of the seventh grade. Emphasis should always be given to the part which is already familiar, at the same time calling attention to any changes in the vowel or in the consonant through the formation of the derivative.
Troublesome Endings
On page 15 will be found a group of words ending in or, er, and ar. These should be taught in groups until they are thoroughly fixed. Mnemonics may help to establish the correct form. Remind the pupil of the spelling and pronunciation of authority and he will remember that author ends in or. Likewise factory, inventory, oratory, similarity, etc., help to show him the correct spelling of the shorter word. Following this drill review the entire page.
Synonyms
Much of the work of the seventh grade consists of a careful study of synonyms. Spelling is closely correlated with language and one of the results of good spelling teaching should be not only an ability to spell common words correctly, but a normal and continuous growth in the written and spoken vocabularies of the children. This growth can be increased very materially by the study of derivatives and synonyms. This study also furnishes the very best exercises in the use of the dictionary for which the pupils have been prepared in preceding grades.
Dictionary Work
Not only does the work in synonyms in this grade provide excellent dictionary work, but there are still other opportunities for the teacher to give the right kind of practice in the use of that book. No lessons on antonyms have been given, but it is an excellent practice to have pupils look up antonyms as well as synonyms. Many additional paragraphs may be dictated by the teacher and the pupils required to look up both synonyms and antonyms.
Nothing more wooden or deadening can be conceived than the practice of requiring the pupils to look up every word in the dictionary and to write a definition for each and every one. This monotonous practice should never be followed. Put life and interest into the lesson by variety, and let the children see that the building up of a vocabulary can be an exciting game.
The Teacher’s Opportunity
Perhaps with no class has the seventh grade teacher a greater opportunity for a fine and helpful influence than she has with the spelling class. Her pupils will be judged, in later years, by their speech. She may, by careful teaching, expand their vocabularies so that they have a broad range, and she may likewise secure an accuracy in enunciation which will reflect great credit on her teaching. However, this training must carry over into all other class work in the grade to attain its greatest effectiveness.
Reviews
A review of many troublesome words previously taught is given at the beginning. Many reviews should be given during the year. These should be determined by the teacher and should emphasize all words that have presented difficulty to the class or to individuals.
Proper Names
In the class work in Geography and History the pupil is confronted with a great many proper names. Fortunately most of these are spelled as they sound. For a pupil who has been properly taught such words present no difficulties. The important point is to see that they are correctly pronounced when first used. There are, however, many proper names that have spelling peculiarities. The great importance of impressing these upon the pupil’s mind is quite obvious. This should be done in connection with the regular class work as they have occasion to use the names. The seventh grade teacher should be especially vigilant and see that all proper names are correctly spelled, particularly with regard to the capital letter.
Vocabulary
The alphabetical vocabulary may be used for review lessons and for looking up words. Its use helps to encourage the dictionary habit.