70. Four syllables ending in -ous: anonymous, unanimous

The lesson, step by step

1. The pattern

   Four beats, second strong: "a-NON-y-mous", "u-NAN-i-mous". The ending -ous says "us". Remember it is spelled o-u-s.

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:

   adventurous, precipitous, anonymous

   synonymous, amphibious, magnanimous

   unanimous, intelligent, benevolent

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.

   Sayu, u; n, a, n, nan; i, i; m, o, u, s, mous; unanimous.

   Sayi, n, in; t, e, l, tel; l, i, li; g, e, n, t, gent; intelligent.

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

4. Read the sentences

   Read sentences from this page and the next. Some of them:

   A treatise is a written composition on some particular subject.

   An egg is nearly oval in shape.

   Synonymous words have the same signification.

5. Dictation

   Say each word, use it in a short sentence of your own, and say it again. Your child writes it. Try these: adventurous, anonymous, unanimous, intelligent, conspicuous.

   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.