Story Lessons On Character-building, Morals And Manners (1900)

PREFACE. ALTHOUGH it is admitted by all teachers, in theory at least, that morals and manners are essential subjects in the curriculum of life, how very few give them an appointed place in the school routine. Every other subject has its special time allotted, but these-the most important subjects-are left to chance, or taken up, haphazard, at any time surely this is wrong. Incidents often occur in the school or home life which afford fitting opportunity for the inculcation of some special moral truth, but maybe the teacher or mother has no suitable illustration just at hand, and the occclsion is passed over with a reproof. It is hoped that where such want is felt this little book may supply the need. The stories may be either told or read to the children, and are as suitable for the home as the school. The Fairy Temple should be read as an introduction to the Story Lessons, for the teaching of the latter is based on this introductory fairy tale. If used at home the blackboard sketch may be written on a slate or slip of paper. The children will not weary if the stories are repeated again and again this at least was the writers experience, and they will be eager to pronounce what is the teaching of the tale. In this way the lessons are reiterated and enforced. The method is one which the writer found exceedingly effective during long years of experience. Picture-teaching is an ideal way of con veying truths to children, and these littIe stories are intended to be pictures in which the children may see and contrast the good with the bad, and learn to love the good. The faults of young children are almost invariably due either to thoughtlessness or went of knowledge, and t, he little onesare delihted to learn and put into practice the lessons taught in these stories, which teaching should be applied in the class or home as occasion arises. E. g., a, child is passing in front of another without any apology, the teacher says, immediately Itemember Minnie, you do not wish to be rude, like she was Story Lesson . Or if a child omits to say Thank you, he may be rcminded by asking Have you forgot, t, en Alec and the Fairies Story Lesson 95. The story lessons should be read to the children until they become perfectly familiar with them, so that each may be applied in the manner indicated. CONTENTS. CHAFTBR PAOE I. INTRODUCTORY STO Y-1. The Fairy Temple . . . l 11. OBEDIENCE--a. he TWO Voioes . . . 4 3. Why we Should Obey. The Pilot . . 6 4. Why we Should Oboy. The Dog that did not like to bo Washed . . 7 5. Ready Obedience. Robert a d tho Marbles . 9 6. Unready, Sulky Obedience. Jimrny and the Overcoat, . . . . 9 111. LOYALTY-7. Rowland and the Apple T a t . . 10 IV. TRUTEFULXEES- 8. Diroct Untruth. Luay and the Jug of Milk . 12 9. Untruth, by not Spoaking. Mebel and Fritz . 13 10. Untruth, by not Telling 811. A 3ame of Cricket 14 11. Untruth, by Stretching -Exaggeration. The Three Feathers . . 16 V. HONEITY-12. Lulu and the Pretty Coloured Wool . . . 17 13. Taking Little Things. Carl and the Lump of Sugar . . 19 14. Taking Little Things. Lilie end tho Scent . 19 15. Copying . . . . 20 16. On Finding Things . . 22 VI. KXNDNES-17. Squeaking Wheels . . . a9 16. Birds and Treoa . . . . 24 19. Flowers end Bees . . 25 - 9 Lu . lu a nd tho Bundle., . . . . 26- CONTENTS. OH APTER PAGE VII. THOUGHTFULNERS-21. Baby Elsie and the Stool, . . . a l 6 22. The Thoughtful Soldier . . . . 28 .VIXI. HELP ONE ANOTHER-23. The Cat and the Parrot ., . . . 29 24. The Two Monkeys . . . . 30 25. The Wounaed Bird . . . . . 31 X. ON BEING BRA-26. Brave in Danger...