THE CHILDREN'S FRIEND. VOL. II. ORGAN OF THE PRIMARY ASSOCIATIONS OF THE Edited and Published by the General Board. JANUARY, 1903. No. 1. THE NEW YEAR. A flower unblown, a book unread; Oh, may this flower unfold to you This path through fields of knowledge go; -Selected FIRST GRADE. LESSONS FOR MONTH. The lessons to be used in this grade for the year 1903 will be arranged somewhat similar to what is called "The Circle Work" in Kindergarten. It is not expected that officers in the Primary Associations who have never studied this system of education will be able to give the lessons as they might be given by an experienced Kindergartener, but, we trust that all, both teachers and children, will be assisted by and interested in the new plan. Whenever it is possible this grade should meet in a separate room, the addition of a piano or organ will greatly assist in this department. If, however, it is not possible to have either the teachers should be thoroughly familiar with the songs to be sung. We desire to emphasize again, the lessons must not be read, stories, songs, games, etc., must be thoroughly memorized before the lessons are given. Arrange the seats in your room so that your children are as close to you as possible, let them feel your personality, love and sympathy. Do not begin your lesson until all are seated quietly and in order. Speak in a moderate tone of voice. Children imitate their teachers; if they are orderly and quiet, speaking gently and kindly, the children are very apt to do the same. Children receive more benefit from lessons given if there is considerable repetition;they need to be told the same thing a great many times before they can remember it and so in these lessons for the little ones there will be considerable repetition; for instance, the same prayer and songs will be used at each lesson for a month. Two new stories and two new games will be given each month. After these stories and games have been related once, give the little children a choice by asking them which story and which game they prefer. When the children have taken their seats and all is quiet, ask them to bow their heads and close their eyes and repeat after you the hymn "Lord I would own Thy tender care," from the Sunday School Hymn Book, page 194. After the prayer, sing one verse from "The Children's Song Prayer," from the same book, page 72. These opening exercises will be the same for each meeting during this month, except, that as the children get more familiar with the words you may ask them before you pray some questions like these: What shall we thank God for today? Who gives us kind parents? Nice homes, etc., and more verses may be added to the song. A short talk will be given as suggested for each lesson. Then as children easily get tired, give a simple game or march, then the story will complete the lesson. The value of this work will depend on the preparation and interest taken in the lessons by the teacher. This plan needs more thought and care than previous lessons, but, both teachers and children will receive more benefit from them. For helps to lessons in First grade we suggest that you get a copy of Farrar's Life of Christ, Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lasses, and a set of pictures for use in connection with the talks suggested for the lesson. These books and pictures may be obtained from this office, prices as follows: Farrar's Life of Christ, 75c and $1.50. Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lassies, 35c. Pictures representing Life of Christ, small size, per set, of 52, 60c. Pictures representing Life of Christ, large size, $2.75. Suggestive Talk. 1. The happy time enjoyed during the Christmas. Emphasize what the children have done themselves to make others happy. Who was born a long time ago? It was a very happy time for all the world when that little baby was born. Every since, when the anniversary of His birth comes along love, kindness, and thought for others fills the world and everybody rejoices in the good that our Saviour brought to the earth. We have a new year. What are we going to do to make the world better because we are born? Suggest helping Father, Mother, each other, how many little household duties may we do to help, taking care of baby etc, coming to Primary and Sunday school, paying tithing, helping the poor, etc. 2. How many of you have babies at home? How big was baby when she first came? How big is she now? How old is your baby? Ask a number of children to tell about their babies, until there is much interest in little ones. If the children become excited and you find it necessary to use some means to gain order, sing a verse of some song that the children are all familiar with. Review the story of the birth of Jesus, how he grew to be a brave, strong boy; helping his father. Tell what Joseph did to earn the necessaries of life for his family. What do you think Jesus did to help his father? Carry wood, gather up shavings, hammering, sawing, ets. 3. How might Jesus have helped his mother when he was a boy? He was about twelve years old when he went with Joseph and Mary and some friends on a journey. Where did they_go? Have we any temples? Tell all you can about the journey, Jerusalem, the big crowds gathered there, how Mary and Joseph started for home and when they camped at night and missed Jesus; their grief and consternation; how they traveled back to Jerusalem and finally found Jesus in the Temple talking to the wise men. How He turned and went home with His mother. Jesus must have felt sorry when He found how worried His parents had been and how gently He said to His mother; "Whist ye not that I must be about my Father's business" which meant "Don't you know I must be getting ready to help people. 4. Today I will tell you of some little boys and girls-children like us and our brothers and sisters. They are gathered around some one who loves them very much. He has called them to Him and placed His arms around them. Can you guess who it is? Tell how busy Jesus was and how the disciples tried to turn away the mothers with their little ones, but Jesus said "Suffer the children to come unto Me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." Sing "I think when I read that sweet story of old." or "When many to the Savior's feet." GAMES. THE LITTLE NEW YEAR. Prepare a little crown made of silver or gold paper pasted on cardboard. Choose a child to take the part of the Little New Year, put the crown on head and if possible have some little bells to hang around the neck, and let the child trip around among the children scattering imaginary blessings on the little folks who hold out hands to receive gifts, and join in singing, “Oh, I am the little New Year, etc." as found on page 8. The teacher should learn this song so as to sing it without accompaniment and the children will soon learn it as it may be repeated as long as the game lasts. If you find the children enjoy it, choose another child and play a second time, but do not play more times than that so they will be ready to enjoy it at the next meeting. THE PROCESSION OF THE MONTHS. Prepare 12 hats made of colored paper, (any simple form wiil do) three of white, two of brown, two of light green, three of darker green, one of yellow and one of red, the color suggests the appearance of the earth during each month. Now choose twelve children. Who has a birthday in January? You shall be January then and wear a white hat. too." "Who has a birthday in February? You shall wear a white cap March will wear brown, April and May light green, June, July and August darker green, September, yellow, as the leaves begin to turn; October the brilliant red, November brown and December white. Play a lively tune or clap hands to keep time and let children representing months march around the room several times. A BIG TURKEY.. He was a bouncing big turkey; and they had hung him by the heels, so that his nose almost touched the walk just outside the butcher's shop. A little girl was standing there watching it. You could see that she was hungry; and, worse than that, she was cold too, for her shawl had to do for hood and almost everything else. No one was looking, and so she put out a little red hand, and gave the turkey a push; and he swung back and forth, almost making the great iron hook creak, he was so heavy. "What a splendid big turkey!" The poor little girl turned round, and there was another little girl looking at the turkey too. She was out walking with her dolls, and had on a cloak with real fur all around the edges; and she had a real muff, white and little black spots all over it. "Good morning, Miss," said the butcherman. You see he knew the little girl with the muff perfectly well. "That's a big turkey, Mr. Martin." "Yes," said the poor little girl, timidly; "he's the biggest 1 ever saw in my life. He must be splendid to eat." "Pooh! said the little girl with the muff," he isn't any bigger than the one my papa brought home for New Year's tomorrow, I know." "Could I have a leg, if I came for it tomorrow?" asked the poor little girl, softly. "What, haven't you a whole turkey?" "Never had one in my life," said the poor little girl. "Then you shall have this one," said the little lady with the muff. "Mr. Martin, I've got some money in my savings bank at home; and my papa said I could do just as I wanted to with it, and I'm going to buy the turkey for this little girl." The poor little girl's eyes grew so very large you wouldn't |