It is exceedingly important that the teacher should see that these written exercises are not made distasteful to the pupil. They are very valuable if they are not considered irksome. The object is not so much to give skill in composition as to create a taste for wide and excellent reading. It would be better to allow this written reproduction to drop rather than to associate the pleasures of literature with something disagreeable. CHAPTER III ILLUSTRATIVE LESSONS In the lessons that follow, the answers given to questions are those which pupils may be expected to give after corrections and additions have been made by themselves and the teacher. Professor Alexander has said: It is impossible to exemplify on paper actual teaching. Actual teaching, as all other practical matters, is in large measure determined by circumstances and conditions which are never twice the same. A large part of a teacher's skill lies in the sympathetic perception of these conditions and in the power of adapting himself to them on the spur of the moment. The teacher should have a definite aim in view, and a general conception of the proper method to be followed; but these will be modified by the character of the pupils before him, of the answers given, of the manifestation of interest, and the comprehension of the various points brought forward. A question quite proper in one case will be quite out of place in another. What knowledge should be imparted by the instructor, what elicited from the pupils themselves, what matters dwelt upon, what lightly passed over--these things can only be determined by the actual circumstances. PANTOMIME LITTLE MISS MUFFET (Primer, page 75) Little Miss Muffet sits on a low chair eating from an imaginary dish. The spider comes creeping softly behind her. When he reaches her side, he sits quietly down. Then she sees him and, in a great fright, jumps up and runs away. DRAMATIZATION LITTLE BOY BLUE (Primer, page 68) The senior division of the primary class had read the story of Little Boy Blue. Norman asked: "May we play it? May I be Little Boy Blue?" Allan said: "I'd like to be the farmer". Dorothy wished to be the farmer's wife. Clara asked if the pupils of the highest class might be the cows and the sheep. As Norman was enthusiastic and eager to express himself, he was permitted to direct the movements of the different characters. The farmer selected a horse and prepared to take him to market, while Little Boy Blue could be seen tramping along the road (the front part of the room). The cows and sheep were grazing quietly near by. As Little Boy Blue approached the farmer, he removed his cap and said: "Good morning, sir, do you want a boy?" _Farmer_: "Yes, I want one to watch the cows and the sheep." _Little Boy Blue_: "I can do that, sir."