42. Three syllables, accented on the second: immortal, eternal

The lesson, step by step

1. The pattern

   Three beats, middle strong: "im-MOR-tal", "e-TER-nal". The ending -al is said lightly.

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:

   immortal, infernal, parental

   maternal, abandon, paternal

   enamel, eternal

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.

   Sayp, a, pa; r, e, n, ren; t, a, l, tal; parental.

   Saye, e; t, e, r, ter; n, a, l, nal; eternal.

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

4. Read the sentences

   Sentences come before the table and after it on the next page. Some of them:

   Food is necessary to animal life.

   The soul is immortal; it will never die.

   Utensils are tools to work with.

5. Dictation

   Say each word, use it in a short sentence of your own, and say it again. Your child writes it. Try these: immortal, parental, maternal, abandon, eternal.

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

6. Review

   Finish with the cards from earlier days: your child reads and spells each one. Put a card away after three right days in a row.