That stories have helped in other branches of the curriculum outside of
spelling is a well-known fact. Up to the present, spelling has been so
stereotyped, so humdrum, that stories have had little or no place in the
spelling lesson. Spelling, however, is the result of forming right
habits and these right habits can be stimulated and encouraged by the
right kind of stories. At the beginning of the work of the third grade
is told the story of “The King’s Rules.” This story should be told to
the children along with other stories of the grade, dramatized, and
every means used to fix the point of the story. During the year constant
reference should be made to “The King’s Rules.” For example, in teaching
Lesson 91 reference should be made to the king’s second rule. In Lessons
92 and 94 reference should be made to the king’s third rule. Whenever a
pupil mispronounces a word his attention should be directed to the first
two rules. Care should be exercised in referring to these three rules
that the interest is quickened and not deadened by the constant
repetition and reference to the same story.