PrimaryLanguage

Lessonsby Emma Serl

A Beginning Guide to Grammar and Usage for the Early Elementary Student

PrimaryLaNGUaGE LESSONS

byEmma Serl

Teacher, Normal Training School, Kansas City, MO.Author of Intermediate Language Lessons

Originally published in 1914.

edited and arranged bySheila D. Carroll,

Nancy Kelly & Bobbie Dailey

L i v i n g B o o k s P r e s sM o u n t P L e a sa n t , M i c h i ga n

•h i g h q ua L i t y L i t e r at u r e

w w w . L i v i n g B o o k s P r e s s . c o M

Primary LaNGUaGE LESSONS

Copyright ©2010 by James L. and Sheila D. Carroll, dba Living Books Presstext edit by Sheila D. Carroll, Nancy Kelly, and Bobbie Daileyphoto edit by Carrousel GraphicsAll rights reserved.

Permission is granted, upon purchase, to print or photocopy this workbook for use byimmediate family members only. Others must receive express permission in writing from Living Books Press. All inquires should be sent to:

Living Books Press5497 S. Gilmore RoadMt. Pleasant, MI 48858

www.livingbookspress.comemail: lbcinfo@livingbookscurriculum.com

ISBN-13: 978-0-9818093-4-2

Cover photo: Miroslava Kopecka

Printed in U.S.A.

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Publisher’s NoteWelcome to the Living Books Press edition of Primary Language Lessons, a helpful

guide to speaking and writing English well. This edition grew from requests for a lay-flat version that permitted writing directly into it. Nancy Kelly of Minnesota and Bobbie Dailey of Wyoming edited and designed it. Nancy is a home educator of six, who uses Charlotte Mason’s methods with her children. Bobbie is a former teacher and a graphic designer who had the vision for how Emma Serl’s book could be more accessible.

In these pages you will find stories, poems, and pictures of fine art. Each lesson introduces principles of grammar and word use through question and answer, composition, memorization, oral presentation, and dictation. Serl recommended that Primary Language Lessons be used for the second half of grade 2 and grade 3, or ages 6 through 8.

One of Primary Language Lessons’ outstanding characteristics is the use of high-quality literature and art to teach language and grammar. Serl’s use of this method parallels the work of British eudcational reformer Charlotte Mason (1842-1923) who advocated the use of high-quality literature as a pathway to learning. Miss Mason taught that children relish well-written, well-told books and model them in their speech and writing. By following this example, our children’s teachers become, then, great authors and artists rather than dry textbooks. What could be better?

Another of Primary Language Lessons’ characteristics is the frequent use of oral expression. Most grammar handbooks require reading and writing to accomplish the assigned work, neglecting the other language arts of speaking and listening. All four arts—speaking, listening, reading, and writing—should be employed for understanding, fluency, and quick recall.

Improvements to the 1914 edition include enhancing the quality of the photographs and art prints, as well as updating and editing some text for clarity. Added are symbols to help direct the student to the type of task given (see page xii), as well as lined pages for writing and space for drawing. Biographies of most of the artists and authors are included in a special section at the back of the workbook. We hope you enjoy this exploration into language with your children.

Sheila CarrollLiving Books Press

2010

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1911 PrefaceThe object of this little volume is to lead children of the second and third grades into

the habit of speaking and writing the English language correctly. To accomplish this, the author has prepared a drill book which emphasizes the reproduction of many of the short stories current in our literature, and also introduces practice exercises to familiarize the pupils with correct forms. Beginning with simple, graduated exercises, they are continued till a general principle is inductively reached.

It is assumed that the child will learn to speak and write correctly, by imitation, if the proper forms are presented to him. Accordingly much attention is given in this book to expressions frequently misused, as for example, troublesome verb forms. The lessons are designed, as well, to awaken and sustain children’s interest in natural objects, and to put them in sympathetic relations with living things.

The author has written from the standpoint of the child, and in language that the child can readily comprehend. The book, too, is so unconventional that the Suggestions to Teacher, which follow, are all that is necessary to guide the novice in the successful use of it.

James Mickleborough GreenwoodSuperintendent of Schools, Kansas City, Mo.1

1 Mr Greenwood was born near Springfield, Ill. Educated in country schools and at Canton, Mo. Received A. M. and LL.D. from Missouri State University.

He taught first in State Normal School at Kirksville, Mo., 1867 - 1874. He was elected in 1874 Superintendent of public schools of Kansas City. In 1874 there were 49 teachers in the public schools of Kansas City; now there are nearly 900.

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Suggestions to Teachers and ParentsThis book is intended for use with pupils of the second and third grades.

Assignment of lessons—It is not intended that each lesson shall represent one day’s work. The intelligent teacher, knowing the capabilities of her pupils, can best determine the amount of work that should be done. Some of the lessons will doubtless require part of the recitation periods of many days.

Dictation exercises—In giving a dictation exercise, the teacher should read each sentence once. The sentences in the exercises have been made short so that they can be retained easily in the pupil’s memory. The results of the pupil’s work should be carefully noted by the teacher, attention being called to mistakes in spelling, capitalization, and punctuation, or in the failure to reproduce the exact words dictated.

Careful work in these dictated exercises and frequent drills on the lists containing “troublesome words” are sure to produce good results in written composition.

Selections to be memorized—These selections should be read to the pupils and discussed with them before being memorized. The November poem, The Brown Thrush (Lesson 46), and The Bluebird (Lesson 119) should be taught at appropriate seasons of the year.

Drawing—Several exercises are given in drawing. The purpose is not to obtain finely finished pictures, but to secure the representation of ideas. Let the pupils select the central theme of the pictures to be drawn, and then decide on a fitting background and surroundings.

Pictures—Most of the pictures used in this book are copies of the works of great artists. A few suggestive questions are given with each picture, but the teacher should supplement these with many others.

Nature and observation lessons—These lessons should be introduced by oral discussions covering the points indicated by the questions or directions. After the discussion, a pupil should read the question silently, and then give the answer aloud as a complete sentence. As the class progresses, these answers may be written, but they should always be preceded by the oral discussion.

Lessons on troublesome forms—These lessons should be repeated many times, not at a single period or at succeeding ones, necessarily, but at different times during the year. A little quick work on preceding lessons fixes important forms as no single treatment can do.

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Dictation—For your convenience, the teacher will find tear-out pages for dictation exercises on pages 253-258. The student may write his dictation directly into the book while covering the passage. The teacher will have the tear-out pages from which to read the passage.

Lesson 86 should be repeated many times until the expressions, “It is I” and “It is he,” no longer seem strange. This exercise may be read by two pupils, and the answers given from memory.

Variety may be given to this line of work by having pupils occupy different positions about the room, the teacher asking questions that will require the use of these forms in the answer; as, “Who is at the blackboard?” “It is I,” “It is she,” or “It is he”.

This book in the hands of the pupils makes possible much review work that cannot be given when each lesson must be written on the board by the teacher.

The teacher should keep a record of the most common errors committed by the pupils, and should give frequent drills on sentences containing the correct forms.

The best results in the use of good English come from continued practice on correct forms rather than from the learning of many rules.

Every lesson should be a language lesson. No mistake in grammar, pronunciation, or in the use of a word should pass uncorrected.

Sheila CarrollLiving Books Press

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Suggestions to Teachers and Parents ...................................................................... vSymbols Used in This Book ........................................................................................xiiThe Artists and The Authors ................................................................................ 236Historical Information: Columbia, The Gem of the Ocean ............................ 235Index ........................................................................................................................... 249Dictation Tear-out Sheets ..................................................................................... 253 1. A Picture Lesson – Piper and Nutcrackers ..................................................... 1 2. For Copying and Dictation ................................................................................. 3 3. Is – Are .................................................................................................................... 4 4. Selection to be Memorized – If I Knew ............................................................ 5 5. Observation Lesson – Frost ................................................................................ 6 6. For Dictation ........................................................................................................ 7 7. Selection to be Memorized – A Secret ............................................................ 8 8. Copying Sentences ................................................................................................ 9 9. For Dictation – The Clouds ............................................................................. 1010. Reproduction – Oral – The Dog in the Manger ........................................... 1111. A Picture Lesson – Proud Mother .............................................................12, 1312. Observation Lesson – A Cat ............................................................................. 1413. Composition ......................................................................................................... 1514. Conversation Lesson – The Care of Pets ....................................................... 1615-16. Copying and Dictation – Use of To – Too – Two ...................................17, 1917. Reproduction – Oral – The Lion and the Fox ............................................... 2018. Selection to be Memorized – Lady Moon ...................................................... 2119-20. Correct Use of Was – Were ......................................................................22, 2421. For Dictation and Oral Reproduction – Wheat .......................................... 2522. Observation Lesson – Trees .............................................................................. 2623. A Picture Lesson – Saved .................................................................................. 2824-25. Correct Use of A – An...............................................................................29, 3026. Days of The Week ................................................................................................ 3127. Composition – Oral or Written ...................................................................... 3228. Selection to be Memorized – The Swing ....................................................... 3329. Sentences Illustrating “When” ....................................................................... 3430. Composition ......................................................................................................... 3531. A Picture Lesson – An Interesting Family ................................................... 3632. For Dictation – There – Their .......................................................................... 3833. Use of There – Their in Sentences ................................................................... 39

ContentsPrimary Language Lessons

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34-35. For Dictation – The Cat and the Mice ....................................................... 4136. Sentences Illustrating “Where?” ................................................................... 4337. Use of Has – Have in Sentences – Oral and Written ................................. 4538. A Picture Lesson – The Escaped Cow ............................................................. 4739. Observation Lesson – The Cow ........................................................................ 4840. Composition – Description ............................................................................... 4941. Composition – Sentences................................................................................... 5042. The Seasons and Months of the Year – Dictation ......................................... 5143. Sentences Illustrating “What Month?” .......................................................... 5244. Sentences Illustrating “What Season?” ........................................................... 5345. Use of See – Saw – Seen in Sentences ................................................................ 5446. Selection to be Memorized – The Brown Thrush ........................................... 5647. Composition – Reproduction .............................................................................. 5848. Composition – Sentences Illustrating “How?” ................................................ 5949-50. Letter Writing ..........................................................................................62, 6451. Addressing Envelopes .......................................................................................... 6552. Conversation Lesson – Preparation for Winter ............................................ 6853. A Picture Lesson – Shoeing the Horse ........................................................69, 7054-55. For Dictation – Erito, the Eskimo Boy ..................................................71, 7256. Sentences Illustrating “Why?” ........................................................................... 7457. Selection to be Memorized – Dutch Lullaby ................................................ 7558. The Comma ............................................................................................................ 7759. Observation Lesson – Seeds ................................................................................ 7860. Reproduction – The Greedy Dog ..................................................................79, 8061. Capital Letters – Names of Persons and Places ............................................ 8262. Observation Lesson – Materials ........................................................................ 8463. Initials .................................................................................................................... 8564. Selection to be Read and Studied – The Journey ........................................... 8865. Observation Lesson – What Color? ................................................................... 9166-67. Letter Writing ..........................................................................................93, 9468. Selection to be Memorized – My Shadow ........................................................ 9769. Reproduction – Oral – The Wind and the Sun ............................................... 9870. Abbreviations ........................................................................................................ 9971. A Picture Lesson – Lions at Home ...........................................................101, 10272. For Dictation ...................................................................................................... 10273. Composition – A Story ....................................................................................... 10374. Composition – A Story ....................................................................................... 10475. Dates ..................................................................................................................... 10776. Observation Lesson – Parts .............................................................................. 10877. Use of Eat – Ate – Eaten in Sentences ........................................................... 10978. Selection to be Memorized – One, Two, Three .............................................. 11179. For Dictation – The Wind ................................................................................. 11280. One and More than One ................................................................................... 113

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81. Reproduction – Oral and Written – The Fox and the Crow ..................... 11582. One and More than One ................................................................................... 11783. Reproduction – Oral and Written – Silk ...................................................... 11984. Letter Writing – Original Letter ................................................................. 12085. One and More than One ................................................................................... 12186. Reading Lesson – Dialogue – Forms of Pronouns ......................................... 12387. Choice of Words – Sentences ........................................................................... 12488. “Whose?” – Possessive Form ................................................................................ 12589. Use of Possessive Form in Sentences ............................................................... 12690. Composition – Sentences Illustrating “Whose?” .......................................... 12891. Selection to be Memorized – The Wonderful World ................................. 12992. Use of Go – Went – Gone in Sentences .......................................................... 13093. Reproduction – Oral – The Lion and the Mouse.......................................... 13294. Composition – The Lion and the Mouse ......................................................... 13395. Conversation Lesson .......................................................................................... 13496. Contractions ....................................................................................................... 13597. Words Opposite in Meaning ............................................................................. 13798. Composition – Use of Opposite Words in Sentences .................................... 13999. Composition – Autobiography .......................................................................... 140100. Reproduction – The Humming Bird and the Butterfly ............................ 142101. Composition – Conversation .......................................................................... 142102. A Picture Lesson – Two Mothers ...........................................................144, 145103. Observation Lessons – Tools ........................................................................... 146104. Selection to be Memorized – November ....................................................... 147105. Choice of Words in Sentences ........................................................................ 149106. Reproduction – Oral and Written – An Acorn .......................................... 150107. Correct Use of Most – Almost in Sentences .............................................. 152108. Observation Lesson – Directions................................................................... 154109. For Dictation – Insects ................................................................................... 155110. Reproduction – Oral – The Fox and the Grapes – Paragraphs ................ 156111. A Picture Lesson – “You’re no Chicken” ................................................158, 159112. Observation Lesson – Oral – Spiders ............................................................ 160113. Conversation and Reproduction – The Ostrich ......................................... 161114. Selection to be Memorized – He Prayeth Best .......................................... 162115. Reproduction – Oral and Written – Moth and Butterfly ..................... 163116-117. Letter Writing ...................................................................................164, 166118. Exclamation Point ........................................................................................... 167119. Selection to be Memorized – The Bluebird ................................................ 169120. Composition – A Robin’s Story ....................................................................... 170121. Quotations and Quotation Marks ................................................................ 171122-123. For Dictation – The Hare and the Tortoise .................................172, 173124. Reproduction – Oral and Written – An Indian Myth: The Origin of the Birds ........................................... 175

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125. Selection for Study – Who Made the Stars? – Capitals ........................... 177126. A Picture Lesson – Soap Bubbles .............................................................178, 179127. Composition – Wool ......................................................................................... 180128. An Answer to a Note of Invitation .............................................................. 182129. Observation Lesson – Tell ............................................................................... 183130. Reproduction – Oral and Written – The Fox and The Stork .................. 183131. Selection to be Memorized – Discontent ................................................... 185132. Sentence – Statement – Question ................................................................. 187133. Composition – How Arthur Helped .............................................................. 189134. Reproduction – Oral and Written – Saint Valentine .............................. 190135. Observation Lesson – Arrangement of Sequence ....................................... 192136. This – That – These – Those ............................................................................. 193137. Use of Words in Sentences .............................................................................. 195138. Letter Writing – Original Letter ............................................................... 196139. Selection for Memorizing – The Violet ....................................................... 198140. A Picture Lesson – Feeding Her Birds ...................................................200, 201141. Reproduction – The Greek Myth of Narcissus ........................................... 202142. Choice of Words................................................................................................ 203143. Observation Lesson – Foods ............................................................................ 205144-145. Letter Writing – Original Letter ................................................206, 207146. Conversation Lesson ........................................................................................ 208147. Selection for Memorizing – A Boy’s Song ................................................... 209148. Information Lesson – Bees .............................................................................. 210149. Choice of Words................................................................................................ 211150. Reproduction – The Golden Touch ............................................................... 212151. Letter Writing – An Original Note of Invitation................................... 214152. Use of Words in Sentences .............................................................................. 215153. Conversation Lesson – Animals ..................................................................... 218154. Letter Writing – Original Letter ............................................................... 219155. Conversation Lesson – How Homes are Lighted ....................................... 220156. Reproduction – The Myth of the Sunflower .............................................. 221157. Selection to be Memorized – The Sandman ................................................. 223158. Use of Hasn’t and Haven’t in Sentences....................................................... 225159. Conversation Lesson – Birds .......................................................................... 226160. Letter Writing – Model Letter ................................................................... 227161. A Picture Lesson – Anxiety .....................................................................229, 230162. Maxims and Proverbs ....................................................................................... 231163. Composition ....................................................................................................... 233164. Selection to be Memorized – Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean ............. 234

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Picture Lessons

Piper and Nutcrackers ................................................................................................ 1Proud Mother ............................................................................................................. 12Saved ............................................................................................................................. 28An Interesting Family .............................................................................................. 36The Escaped Cow .......................................................................................................... 4Shoeing the Horse ..................................................................................................... 69Lions at Home ........................................................................................................... 101Two Mothers ............................................................................................................. 144“You’re no Chicken” ................................................................................................. 158Soap Bubbles .............................................................................................................. 178Feeding Her Birds .................................................................................................... 200Anxiety ....................................................................................................................... 229

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Symbols Used in This Workbook

Read the selection

Write—either composition or from dictation

Memorize part or all of the selection

Copy

Tell, narrate, and/or debate

Study

Additional Picture Study ResourcesThe pictures for study in this workbook are reproduced in black and white. Many of

the selections for study are considered classic masterpieces and are available to see in color on the Internet.

The search can be an excellent exercise for a student to learn Internet research methods using the artist’s name or the name of the painting in the search engine. Additionally, most large art museums, such as the Getty Museum, the Art Insitute of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, have online galleries. Other sites to find paintings are Wikipedia, ArtCyclopedia, and Web Gallery of Art.

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The Piper and the Nutcrackers

From the painting The Piper and a Pair of Nutcrackers, by Edwin Landseer

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Lesson 1

A Picture Lesson

The Piper and the Nutcrackers,from the painting The PiPer and a Pair of nuTcrackersEdwin Landseer

What do you see in the picture?

Where are the squirrels?

What are they doing?

What season of the year is it?

What is the bird doing?

Tell about some squirrels that you have seen.

Where did they live?

How did they prepare for winter?

What is the name of the picture?

What is the name of the artist who painted the picture from which this was copied?

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Lesson 2

For Copying and Dictation

Copy the following:

Two squirrels lived in a hollow tree. They had a pleasant home. The leaves shaded them. Sometimes the birds sang to them.

In the fall the frost came. The nuts fell to the ground. The leaves became red and yellow, and the days grew colder.

Then the squirrels gathered nuts and seeds and put them away for winter.

Cover the top of this page and write the first paragraph from dictation.

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Lesson 3

Is – Are

Fill in each blank with is or are:

1. Two squirrels in the tree.

2. A little bird singing to them.

3. There green leaves around them.

4. The blue sky above them.

5. Nuts ripe and the squirrels happy.

Copy from a book you are reading two sentences that contain the word is.

Copy from a book you are reading two sentences that contain the word are.

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Lesson 4

Selection to be Memorizedif i knew

If I knew a box where the smiles are kept, No matter how large the keyOr strong the bolt, I would try so hard ‘Twould open, I know, for me;Then over the land and the sea broadcast, I’d scatter the smiles to play,That the children’s faces might hold them fast For many and many a day.

If I knew a box that was large enough To hold all the frowns I meet,I would like to gather them every one, From nursery, school, and street;Then folding and holding, I’d pack them in, And turning the monster key,I’d hire a giant to drop the box To the depths of the deep, deep sea.

—Maud Wyman

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Lesson 5

Observation LessonFrost

When does the frost come?

What does the frost do to plants?

What plants are killed first by the frost?

Which plants last the longest in the fall?

What plants and trees cannot grow where you live, on account of the frost?

What does the frost do to nut burs?

What effect has it upon the air?