PLANNING A PARAGRAPH

177

which we should speak the kind of English that we should like to be judged by all the time You who have not already begun to use good English should begin during this week. The sooner you begin the better, for a person is judged not only by what he knows but by how he says it. Bear this in mind, and resolve to speak your native language correctly, not only in "Good English Week" but all through the year.

The boys of the Franklin School who are up in their studies are out for football. Nearly every afternoon they have been practicing. When our team plays against other teams, if there is only a small crowd to watch them they feel like saying, "We don't care whether Franklin wins or not; nobody else seems to care." The pupils of the Franklin School should have enough pride in their school to go out and see the boys play. It encourages the players to see their schoolmates; for then they believe that we do care, and they can play better.

Planning a Paragraph

Plan a paragraph on one of the following topic sentences, and give your paragraph orally in class. Be careful not to run your sentences together with and

or so.

1. It takes much labor to produce a bushel of corn. 2. Our baby is very cunning.

3. Football makes boys strong and manly.

4. Smoking injures young people.

5. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

6. The pupils of our school intend to make the school grounds attractive.

Correct Usage Some Troublesome

Verbs: Drink, Take, Eat

Learn the principal parts of drink,

Select the correct form in each of the following sen

tences:

1. The child (drank, drunk) the milk.

2. I have (drank, drunk) a quart of water.
3. Father (took, taken) me to the circus.

4. Have you (took, taken) your medicine?
5. We have (ate, eaten) our supper.

6. The children (ate, eaten) too much candy.

Imagining Stories

Do you not often imagine what you might do if you were different from what you are? You may

say,

"If I were an Indian, I should sleep in a wigwam," etc. You tell yourself the adventures you might have as an Indian. Think out a story in which you are some person or something different from what you are. Tell how you would live, what you would wear and eat, and what difficulties you would have. The following "starters" may suggest a story

to you:

USING VERBS

1. If I were a Chinese boy (or girl)
2. If I were a lion

3. If I were an eagle

4. If I were a Swiss boy (or girl)
5. If I were rich

6. If I were a policeman

7. If I were a mother (or a father)

179

After you have planned your story carefully, tell it Stand straight and

'to the class.

Speak distinctly.

look at the pupils while you are speaking.

Correct Usage — If I Were, If He Were

It is correct to say "if I were" or "if he were" when you are supposing something that is not true. For example, you should say, "If I were you, I should not do that," or "If he were here, he would help me."

A Written Paragraph

Write a paragraph on one of the topic sentences given on page 177. When you have finished your paragraph, read it carefully for mistakes in sentences and punctuation. Consult the dictionary for words you do not know how to spell.

In days long ago, when few people could read and before there were many books, the priests taught the people the stories of the Bible and of the saints' lives by having them acted out. These stories were acted either in the church or on movable stages in the streets. The actors were dressed to represent the characters, and they told the stories partly by gestures and partly by conversation. These representations of Bible stories were the early pageants.

In later times pageants have been used to illustrate historical stories, such as the landing and settling of the Pilgrims, the settlement of the Mississippi Valley, the discovery of gold in California and the settlement of this region, etc. Many communities have given local

These

pageants to show their history and growth. local pageants are very interesting. They lead people to take an interest in their own community, and to learn more about it. Such a pageant may be given by your school.

Collecting Material

Where can you find out about the early life of your town or county? What books contribute anything to its story? Where can you find old magazines or newspapers that will throw light on these early days? What old people in your community can tell you interesting facts about its earlier history? Who have old furniture, old guns or swords, or other relics that belong to an earlier period? What historical buildings or forts are there in your community? Where can you find out about them? What people of your community have done anything for which they are noted?

Give a short talk to the class on one of these topics.

Letters

Write letters to various members of your community who can help you gain information about its early history. Write a letter asking for the loan of a book or newspapers.

Write a letter asking permission to visit the home of some one who has interesting old furniture or relics.

Write a letter asking some one who knows about the early history of the community to come to your school and give a talk.