72. Five syllables ending in -ory: explanatory, preparatory

The lesson, step by step

1. The pattern

   Five beats, the second strong: "ex-PLAN-a-to-ry", "pre-PAR-a-to-ry". The last three syllables are light and quick.

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:

   extemporary, declamatory, exclamatory

   inflammatory, explanatory, preparatory

   conservatory, incendiary

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, x, ex; p, l, a, n, plan; a, a; t, o, to; r, y, ry; explanatory.

   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:

   Major signifies more or greater; minor means less.

   Hereditary property is that which descends from ancestors.

   An observatory is a place for observing the heavenly bodies with telescopes.

5. Dictation

   Say each word, use it in a short sentence of your own, and say it again. Your child writes it. Try these: explanatory, preparatory, exclamatory, conservatory.

   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.