38. Three syllables, accented on the second: amazement, adventure

The lesson, step by step

1. The pattern

   Three beats, the middle one strong: "a-MAZE-ment", "ad-VEN-ture", "how-EV-er". Many of these words are a shorter word with a beginning and ending added: amaze + ment, enjoy + ment.

2. Read the table aloud

   Read the table aloud together, a column at a time. You say a word, your child says it back while pointing to it. Then your child reads a column alone. Some of the words:

   abasement, excitement, amazement

   inquiry, surveyor, adventure

   deposit, however, enjoyment, employment

3. Spell aloud by syllables

   Spell each word a syllable at a time, the way Webster's pupils did: spell the first syllable and say it, spell the next and say it, then say the whole word.

   Saye, n, en; j, o, y, joy; m, e, n, t, ment; enjoyment.

   Sayh, o, w, how; e, v, ev; e, r, er; however.

   Do a column this way while looking, then cover it and spell a few from memory.

4. Find the small word

   Ask your child to find the word hiding inside: amazement (amaze), enjoyment (enjoy), excitement (excite), employment (employ).

5. Read the sentences

   Under the table are short reading lessons that use its words. Your child reads them aloud, pointing to each word. Help with any word not yet learned. Two of them:

   We look with amazement on the evils of strong drink.

   Merchants often deposit money in the bank for safe keeping.

6. Dictation

   Say each word, use it in a short sentence of your own, and say it again. Your child writes it. Try these: amazement, excitement, adventure, however, enjoyment, employment.

   Check together against the book. Any word that came out wrong goes on a card for tomorrow.