I went down into the cellar to look after the fire, fully expecting to see icicles on the furnace door. A cheerful fire was burning, however, and I decided to make it more cheerful. I seized the shaker and shook with a will. At once, the whole furnace seemed to start from its foundation. The biggest fuss and clatter imaginable came from below the grate. The contents of the ash-pit flew forth and hit me in the face. Clouds of dust and ashes arose, and out shot Mike, crazy, battle-scarred, and green-eyed!

19

ADDING TO THE STORY

-A Pupil.

What do you think Mike did when he came out of his

warm bed?

Where did he go?

Why did he go there?

Make up a new Mike story by adding to this one. Several of you may tell your stories.

Your classmates may decide by vote which story is the most interesting.

20

TELLING OTHER ANIMAL STORIES

What does your cat do in cold weather?

What does your dog do?

Has your cat or dog ever found a strange place for shelter during the cold weather?

On a hot summer day where does your dog or cat like to go?

Tell your classmates about the strange hiding place your cat or dog once found in summer or in winter.

If you have ever been on a farm or on a ranch, you may tell:

1. How the cows keep cool on a hot day.

2. How the sheep seek warmth when caught in a snowstorm.

If you have visited the zoological gardens you may tell:

1. How the polar bear enjoys himself in cold weather. 2. What the seals do on a cold day.

Perhaps you can tell a story about one of the following:

1. The squirrel's winter home.

2. How the bear spends the winter months.
3. The little bird that didn't go south.
4. What becomes of the frog in winter time.
5. The cricket that hides by the fireside.
6. The mouse's home in the wheat-stack.

21

REVIEWING WORD FORMS

DO, DID, HAVE DONE

Two of you may read to the class this conversation between Dick and his father, using the correct form of the word do wherever it has been omitted.

I

"Have you

"Yes, father, I

that errand for me, Dick?"

it this morning before school. one for Miss Harris, too, on my way home from

school. And this afternoon I
That makes five errands that I have

"You

three for mother.

to-day."

a good many errands, son, don't you?”

"Yes, father, I —; but it doesn't hurt me.”

Do and does show present time.

Did shows past time.

Done shows that the action is completed.

Remember that done must be helped by have, has, or had to show that the action is completed.

Remember, too, that did is never helped by any other

word.

If you really know these words you will never call on did or done to work for each other.

Write conversations like the one above, using the different forms of the word do. Read your conversations.

22

WRITING CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER WORD

FORMS

The class, working in pairs, will write conversations for the following word forms:

Two of you may read each of the conversations.

23

WRITING SENTENCES

Write in sentences the answers to the following

questions.

1. Who sang in the chorus of the morning concert? 2. Who sang a solo?

3. Why did Mike hide in the furnace?

4. Where did the gray cat stay during the cold weather?

5. How did the other cats feel about Mike's dis

appearance?

6. Where will the mouse live during the winter? 7. What can you do for Robin when the snow comes? 8. Where will the cricket keep warm in winter time? 9. How did you know that the little pup was lost? 10. What did the rabbit do when it saw Jip? 11. Why was Lincoln called "Honest Abe?"

24

USING THE VOICE

Every one owns a musical instrument by means of which he produces sounds, in speaking and singing. It is partly a wind instrument, like the flute, and partly a stringed instrument, like the violin, for our breath and our vocal cords are needed in both speaking and singing.

With our musical instrument, as with other musical instruments, we can make harsh sounds if we use it badly, or pleasing sounds if we learn to use it in the right way.

In learning to play the piano or violin, we must practice the notes over and over to make smooth, clear tones. We must also practice with the musical instrument in our throat in order to speak or sing in clear, smooth tones.

WH

Begin your practice with a breathing exercise.

1. Stand on the balls of your feet, your heels only lightly touching the floor, your chest forward and shoulders down.

2. Place your hands on your ribs at about the waist line, with fingers pointing forward and slanting downward, and thumbs back.

3. Breathe in gently through your nose, without lifting your shoulders.

Be sure that you feel your breathing where your finger-tips rest against your ribs.

Round your mouth as if for a whistle. Now blow out gently, without making a whistling sound. Repeat five times.

When you give out your deep breath in this way, you are making the wh in wheel.

4. Breathe in gently and deeply, keeping your fingers as before.

Blow out gently with rounded mouth, making wh

and adding at the end eel. What word have you pronounced?

5. Practice in the same way as in Exercise 4 the words where, when, what, and while.

Read the following sentences, speaking the wh words correctly.

1. When the wind whirls the autumn leaves about madly, winter is near.