91. Five syllables, accented on the third: ceremonial, testimonial

The lesson, step by step

1. The pattern

   Five beats, the third strong: "cer-e-MO-ni-al", "in-tro-DUC-to-ry", "si-mul-TA-ne-ous".

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:

   intermediate, ceremonial, testimonial

   immaterial, ministerial, immemorial

   introductory, miscellaneous, instantaneous

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, r, cer; e, e; m, o, mo; n, i, ni; a, l, al; ceremonial.

   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:

   A man who saves the fragments of time, will accomplish a great deal in the course of his life.

   The most refined education does not embellish the human character like piety.

   The bat is the intermediate link between quadrupeds and fowls.

5. Dictation

   Say each word, use it in a short sentence of your own, and say it again. Your child writes it. Try these: ceremonial, testimonial, introductory, instantaneous.

   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.