57. Two syllables ending in -al: formal, central, dental, mortal

The lesson, step by step

1. The pattern

   Two beats, first strong, and the light ending -al. Say "CEN-tral", not "cen-TRAL". The a in -al is barely heard, so spell it by syllables.

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:

   fiscal, offal, formal, dismal

   charcoal, moral, central, vassal

   dental, mental, mortal

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.

   Sayc, e, n, cen; t, r, a, l, tral; central.

   Saym, o, r, mor; t, a, l, tal; mortal.

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

4. 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:

   Good children will submit to the will of their parents.

   Never quarrel with your playmates.

   A squirrel will climb a tree quicker than a boy.

5. Dictation

   Say each word, use it in a short sentence of your own, and say it again. Your child writes it. Try these: formal, dismal, moral, central, dental, mortal.

   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.