The Educator (Volume 45) - IAMPETH

Our Lesson in Manuscript Writing
By MISS FANNIE STOUT
Sellersburg, Indiana
Teaching the word "Indian"
Show the children how to find words they may wish to write in the word list at the back of this book.
After writing the sentence, "We
play Indian" the children discover
that they have not had the word
"Indian" or the letter "I".
Secure some good Indian pictures
to show the class. Encourage oral
discussion, finding out what the class
knows about Indians. Tell them a
good Indian story such as "Frances
Slocum" or the "Childhood of Hiawatha."
By this time the class should be
anxious to learn to wi-ite about Indians
and should be ready to write
the word Indian.
The teacher now steps to the blackboard
and shows the class how to
print the word, calling attention to
the "I". Show that it is tall and
straight as an Indian. Compare its
height with some other capital which
they have had.
Position of the right arm showing
how to make the down strokes.
(Based on Print to Script, page 12)
Send as many students as possible
to the blackboard to print the word.
The board should previously have
been ruled with lines five inches
apart. The word should be printed
aljove each child's working space and
chalk and erasers in place.
]7
Encourage them to criticise their
own work, and allow them to make
corrections. This group of students
then passes to their seats where they
print the word large on paper ruled
the long way, and another group
goes to the board. The teacher
passes around giving help wherever
needed.
Hectograph copies of an Indian
head in war feathers can be given to
each child to color with crayolas.
Finally, he can print the word "Indian"
below the drawing.
After learning to print the word
"Indian" the children should print the
entire sentence, "We play Indian."
The students will also want to
woik on other names of Indian origin.
Position at the board. Position of the arms and paper.