63. Four syllables, accent on the third: entertainment, indecisive

The lesson, step by step

1. The pattern

   Two accents now: a strong one on the third syllable and a weaker one on the first: "en-ter-TAIN-ment", "dis-a-GREE-ment". Clap them: medium, soft, LOUD, soft.

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:

   antecedent, disagreement

   entertainment, incoherent, indecisive

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; t, e, r, ter; t, a, i, n, tain; m, e, n, t, ment; entertainment.

   Sayd, i, s, dis; a, a; g, r, e, e, gree; m, e, n, t, ment; disagreement.

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

4. Build the word

   Many are a short word with parts added: agree, disagree, disagreement; entertain, entertainment. Build two of them on the slate, one part at a time.

5. Dictation

   Say each word, use it in a short sentence of your own, and say it again. Your child writes it. Try these: disagreement, entertainment, indecisive, incoherent.

   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.