4. (_a_) Have the children list the words from sentences or short
stories in alphabetical order, as those in “The Golden Eggs,” page 17.
(_b_) After the list has been made (see _a_ above) have the pupils read
through the sentences again to make sure that every word in them has
been listed. The exercise emphasizes the value of alphabetical
arrangement. Example: Teacher says, “If you wish to make sure that you
have the word _the_ on your list, how can you find out easily and
quickly?” Pupil answers, “I will look near the end of my list among the
words beginning with _t_.”
(_c_) _Adding to an Alphabetical List of Words._ Teacher says, “I would
like to have the word _do_ added to the list. (See (_a_) above.) Where
should it be written?” Pupil answers, “Put it with _day_ because it
begins with _d_.” The teacher says, “There is no word beginning with _i_
in the list; if I wish to add the word _into_, where shall I place it?”
Pupil answers, “Place it after the words beginning with _h_ (or before
the words beginning with _j_) because that is the place of _i_ in the
alphabet.”
5. Have the pupils arrange themselves in a line in alphabetical order,
considering first the initial letter of their first names. Have the
pupils take their places as the teacher calls the letters. Thus, the
teacher calls _a_, and Alice, Andrew, and Anna step into line. At once
the question arises as to who shall stand first—all names begin with
_a_. Teacher writes the names on the board and says, “Look at the second
letter in each name.” The pupils study the second letter with the
teacher, and decide that as _l_, the second letter in Alice, comes
before _n_, the second letter in Anna and Andrew, Alice should have
first place. To fix the place of Andrew and Anna the third letters of
each name must be considered.
6. On page 29 is a lesson on arranging by the second letter. Following
this have the pupils arrange other lists of words in alphabetical order,
(_a_) considering the first two letters of the word; (_b_) considering
the first three letters.
7. Have the children give all the reasons that they can think of to
prove that the alphabetical arrangement of a list of words is a good
one.