47. Three syllables, accented on the last: intervene, overreach

The lesson, step by step

1. The pattern

   Now the strong beat is at the end: "in-ter-VENE", "dis-ap-PROVE", "o-ver-REACH". The first syllable gets a lighter beat too. Most of these are a short word with a beginning added: over + reach, dis + approve, mis + inform.

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:

   appertain, preconceive, disaffect

   overwhelm, intervene, disapprove

   misinform, overreach, counteract

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.

   Sayi, n, in; t, e, r, ter; v, e, n, e, vene; intervene.

   Saym, i, s, mis; i, n, in; f, o, r, m, form; misinform.

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

4. Read the sentences

   The sentences at the top of this page belong with No. 75. Read them first:

   A tribunal is a court for deciding causes.

   Illegal is the same as unlawful.

5. Dictation

   Say each word, use it in a short sentence of your own, and say it again. Your child writes it. Try these: overwhelm, intervene, disapprove, misinform, overreach.

   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.