Somewhere, in a nook forlorn, Suggestions for morning talks There is excellent material that will arouse little children to the festival spirit of Christmas, in Christmas in Olden Times, and in Many Lands, by Evelyn D. Walker (W. M. Welch & Co., Chicago). The second part is of great value to the primary teacher in awakening the interest of little children in the Christmas customs of Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, France, Italy, Germany, etc. Many of these pretty festivities could be represented by home-made devices, and by a few dolls dressed in the costumes illustrated in the volume named. Christmas makes us happy because it gives us the chance to make others happy. We should give gifts that bring happiness. Something that has cost loving, careful thought and work, even if it cost only a little money. Pleasant greetings and kind wishes. A little Christmas letter to friends that are far away. What is the Christmas spirit for receiving gifts? Always remember to thank every one who has given you the smallest gift. The smallest first grade child can write, "I thank you," at this time of year. Did you ever try to make an absent sick child happy by giving him a scrap book, where each scholar did something to make it beautiful? Make the birds happy by putting your Christmas tree out of doors, when you are through with it. Fasten on it some bones or suet, and place some bread or suet on a board. Poems and stories to read or tell to children "While Stars of Christmas Shine," Emilie Poulsson, Holiday Songs, etc. Milton Bradley Co. "An Old Christmas Carol," and "A Visit from St. Nicholas," Moore, in Three Years with the Poets, Hazard. Houghton Mifflin Co. "Purring When You're Pleased," Mrs. Alfred Gatty, Parables from Nature. Everyman's Library. When the King Came, George Hodges, chaps. I-IV. Houghton Mifflin Co. 66 Story of Christmas," in The Story Hour, Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora A. Smith. Houghton Mifflin Co. "Little Pine Tree," and "Little Fir Tree," Hans Christian Andersen. "The Little Friend," Abbie Farwell Brown, The Flower Princess. Houghton Mifflin Co. Bed-Time Stories, Louise Chandler Moulton. Little, Brown & Co. "The First Christmas Tree," "The Symbol and the Saint," and "The Coming of the Prince," Eugene Field, Little Book of Profitable Tales. Charles Scribner's Sons. "Bethlehem Town," and "Jest 'fore Christmas," Eugene Field, Poems. Charles Scribner's Sons. Old Carols, (1) "From far away we come to you," (2) "We three kings of Orient are," (3) "There came three kings at break of day.” "The Little Fir Tree," Sara Cone Bryant, Stories to Tell to Children. Houghton Mifflin Co. HILDA'S CHRISTMAS 1 MARTHA A. L. LANE Standing apart from the childish throng, She could not join in the happy song, "What can I do on Christmas day? I am so little and we are so poor." She said to herself in a dreary way "I wish there was never a Christmas more. "Mother is sick and father can't know How children talk of their gifts and their joy, Or he'd surely try, he loves me so, To get me just one single toy." "But Christmas is n't for what you get," She heard a small, sweet, tender voice, "It's for what you give," said wee Janet, And the words made Hilda's heart rejoice. "It is n't our birthday," went on the mite, "It is Christ's, you know; and I think he 'd say If he were to talk with us to-night That he'd wish us to keep it his own way.' A plan came into Hilda's head; It seemed to her she could hardly wait. "I can't give nice things," she bravely said, "But I'll do what I can to celebrate." "I can give the baby a day of fun; I can take my plant to the poor, lame boy; 1 By permission of the author. I can do mother's errands, - every one; "I can read to father and save his eyes; And grandma shall have a letter of love." Now when that busy day was done, And tired Hilda crept to bed, She forgot that she had no gift of her own. JANUARY: FAITHFULNESS For the Teacher: Whatever any one does or says, I must be good; just as if the gold, or the emerald, or the purple were always saying this, "Whatever any one else does, I must be emerald and keep my color."-MARCUS AURELIUS. Suggestions for morning talks Read to the children Phoebe Cary's poem, "A Leak in the Dike." Discuss with the class the character of little Peter: His obedience to his mother. His kindness to the old man. His courage in stopping with his arm the leak in the great dike. His faithfulness to his task through the long, dark, cold night. Why he is remembered and loved and honored. Peter is the boy whose deeds prove his faithfulness. How can we be faithful too? By coming to school every day on time: this is being faithful to one's school. By keeping a promise: this is being faithful to one's word. By trying to do one's work exactly right: this is being faithful to one's duty. By going straight home when school is done: not loitering by the way or going to play when forbidden, is being faithful to one's mother. How many other ways can you think of? Doing errands well without forgetting. Going to bed cheerfully and readily when bedtime comes. Telling the truth is being faithful to God. Poems and stories to read or tell to children "The Lost Doll," Charles Kingsley, in Three Years with the Poets, Hazard. Houghton Mifflin Co. "Robin Redbreast," William Allingham, Book of Famous Verse. Houghton Mifflin Co. "Twinkle, twinkle little Star," Jane Taylor, in Selections for Memorizing. Ginn & Co. "If I were a Sunbeam," Lucy Larcom, Childhood Songs. Houghton Mifflin Co. "Good-Night and Good-Morning," and "Lady Moon," Lord Houghton. R.L.S. Nos. 59 and 70. Houghton Mifflin Co. "A Child's Prayer," M. Betham Edwards, in Poems by Grades, Harris and Gilbert. Charles Scribner's Sons. "The Tempest," James T. Fields. R.L.S. No. X. Houghton Mifflin Co. 66 The Cock, the Mouse, and the Little Red Hen. |
