Aunt Mary's Primer · Chapter 3A Few Words to the Teacher
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When Little Mary (or any other little girl or boy) knows all the letters perfectly, let the teacher turn over a page and pronounce one of the mono-syllables. Do not say a, m, am—but say am at once, and point to the word. When the child knows that word, then point to the next, and say as, and be sure to follow the same plan throughout the book. Spelling lessons may be taught at a more advanced age; but it will be found that a young child will learn to read much more quickly if they be dispensed with in the Primer. In words of more than one syllable, it is best to pronounce each syllable separately, car, pet,—po, ker,—and so on. In the lesson on "Things in the Room," point out each thing as the child reads the word, and indeed, wherever you can, try to associate the word with its actual meaning. Show a child the word coach as a coach goes past, and she will recollect that word again for ever. In the "Lesson on the Senses," make the child understand how to feel cold and heat, by touching a piece of cold iron or marble, and by holding the hand to the fire,—how to smell, to hear, to see, and to taste. In the "Lesson on Colours," be sure to show each colour as it is read; and endeavour to make every Lesson as interesting as you can. Never weary a child with long lessons. The little poem at the end is intended to be read to the child frequently, that she may gradually learn it by heart.
J.C.
A a B b C c D d E e F f G g H h I i J j K k L l M m N n O o P p Q q R r S s T t U u V v W w X x Y y Z z
F N W B E H A P R Y S V Z C K D X O J U G I L Q M T
q o f m e g v p a h n y x b i w c j l s u d k t r z
Am I to go out for a walk?
Yes, you are to go out for a walk.
Will you go with me?
No, I can not go with you.
Will Jane go for a walk with me?
Yes, Jane and the dog will go with you.
Snow is white, and soft, and cold. Do you feel cold?
The fire is red and is very hot. Do you feel hot?
This is a pretty book. Do you see the pictures?
Roses, Violets, and Pinks smell very sweetly.
The Coach makes a noise as it goes. Did you hear it?
Plum-cake is very nice. Would not you like to taste it?
Ask Mama for a sheet of paper and a pencil.
Make a line like this I.
What letter is it like? It is like the letter I.
Now put another line across the top T.
What letter is that like? It is like T.
Now draw two lines thus L.
Now another two lines, thus V, and thus X.
Now three lines, thus N, now thus H, now F,
Now like this K, now A, now Y, now Z,
Now draw four lines, thus W, now M, now E,
Now make a ring O—like Mama's ring,
Now make a line I, add half a ring to it D.
Now make this P, now this B, now this R,
Now C, now G, now Q, now S, now U.
Here are all the large letters of the Alphabet.
How many stars are here * * *
How many here * * * * * * * *
There are twenty-four hours in a day.
There are seven days in a week.
There are four weeks in a month.
There are twelve months in a year.
These are the seven days,—Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
These are the twelve months,—January, when it is often very cold; February, when it is dull and dirty; March, when the winds blow; April, when the flowers begin to come; May, when the trees are in bloom; June, when the hay is made: July, when it is so hot; August, when it is harvest time; September, when apples are ripe; October, when the farmers brew their best beer; November, when London is covered with fog; and December, when Christmas comes.
(See the Frontispiece.)
Do you see the man Angling. He is trying to catch fish with a hook and a line.
That man is shooting partridges. The dog finds them for him in the fields.
Oh, what fun! two boys riding a race on Donkeys to see which will get home first.
The poor hare runs away from the dogs. I fear they will catch her.
Here are some boys and girls at play. The man is smoking his pipe at the door.
What a pleasant ride they will have in the Park on those Donkeys.