and recitation and arranged in lists as lessons to be learned.

Dictation exercises are given in connection with these lists in order that the pupils may have practice in using the words in sentences. These exercises lead also to the correct use of capital letters, punctuation marks, and paragraphs. Diacritical marks have not been used, as they lead to confusion and have nothing to do with the spelling of a word. The pronunciation of words may be found in the glossary, where it properly belongs. Pupils should be taught to use the glossary for both pronunciation and definition.

The Speller is divided into two books, the first book containing two parts and the second three parts. Each part includes sufficient material for a year's work.

Attention is therefore especially called to the eye training and ear training lessons, which lead to the development of power; the lists, which exercise this power; the dictation exercises, which furnish abundant practice in the written use of words; and the careful grading of the whole from the known to the unknown, from easy to difficult, from simple to complex.

NOTE TO TEACHERS

Aim. This speller has been prepared with especial reference to developing in the pupils such power that they may be able to spell not only words which they have studied, but also words which they have never seen or have seen only occasionally. The eye training and ear training lessons have been arranged with this aim in view, and have been used very successfully in the schools. They should be used according to the following directions:

Eye Training. These lessons have been prepared to teach pupils to spell words which they have seen, but not studied. Pupils take their books and look thoughtfully at each word as it is pronounced distinctly by the teacher. Then books are closed and the words are written or spelled orally at dictation. At first give only a few words, and repeat in two or three days until the exercise is well done. Try to arouse interest and an earnest effort to succeed in this work. Children will acquire a habit of looking thoughtfully at words if they are required to do so. Dictate words from reading and other lessons occasionally to be spelled orally without study. Never allow guessing.

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Ear Training. Few of the words in the English language are spelled as they sound, but the ear and mind should be trained to hear and record all of the sounds and syllables in a spoken word. This training, if carefully conducted, will help the pupils in spelling words which they have never studied or even seen; and it will add greatly to their interest and furnish a stimulus to

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effort. The lessons given under this head should be dictated and spelled orally or written without study. Repeat exercises until they are well done.

Lists of Words. In order to exercise the power which is being developed by the lessons in eye and ear training, lists of words are given for study. They should be studied thoughtfully for a few minutes. There is little value in copying each word five or ten times. Children should examine each word, see if it is spelled as it is sounded, if it is composed of familiar syllables or words, or wherein lies its peculiarity or difficulty.

Dictation Exercises have been arranged so that the pupils may have practice in using their knowledge of words. They should be well written, and capital letters and punctuation marks should be correctly used. Dictate slowly and distinctly, do not repeat, and give a short lesson. Quality not quantity is the object of this work.

Paragraphs. As far as practicable the dictation exercises have been arranged in two or more paragraphs. Pupils should note this arrangement, select the key to each paragraph, and write their own exercises accordingly.

Reviews of both lists and dictation exercises are furnished at the end of each part. It is suggested that the lists be spelled orally. An occasional spelling match or a lesson in "spelling down" will add interest, but it should be short, sharp, and decisive.

Dictionary Practice will teach the use of words and the use of the dictionary. Each lesson may be repeated occasionally until the pupils are familiar with the

synonyms.

Glossary. Diacritical marks have not been used in the lists of words, as they lead to confusion and have nothing to do with the spelling of the words. The pronunciation and definition of words may be found in the glossary, which should be in constant use.

The land in the Western Hemisphere is divided into two continents, North America and South America. These continents are connected by the Isthmus of Panama.

The natives of North America were a race of red men, called Indians.

For about three hundred years people have been immigrating to this country from all parts of Europe, and the greater part of the population now consists of members of the white race.

The two countries which occupy the largest area in North America are the United States and the Dominion of Canada.

The eastern part of the United States was first settled by the English, and the thirteen original colonies were ruled by them for more than one hundred and fifty years. At length it became impossible for the colonists to obey the unjust commands of the king, and on the fourth day of July, 1776, they declared themselves free and independent.

The colonies afterward united to make a nation, and that nation is called the United States. It is governed by officers elected by the people, and is, therefore, a republic.