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A December Reading Lesson for Grade IV The Legend of the Christmas Tree

Bertha Toelle

WO little children were sitting by a fireside one cold winter night. Perhaps they were listening to stories their parents usually told them before going to bed, or maybe they were looking into the fire to see strange shapes, or perhaps they were playing before the fire with their blocks and toys. All at once they heard something. Some one was knocking at the door. One of the children, not the least bit frightened, ran to open the door.

There outside in the cold and darkness stood a little child with no shoes upon his feet, and clad in thin ragged garments. He was shivering with cold, and asked if he might be allowed to come in and warm himself by the bright fireplace. "You shall have our place by the fire. Come in!" said the children.

They drew the little stranger to their warm seats and shared their warm supper with him. The little stranger slept in their bed, while they slept on a hard bench. The little children went to bed very happy that night, for they had been kind to one of their poorer brothers. In the night they were awakened by strains of sweet music, and looking out they saw a band of children in shining garments approaching the house. They were playing golden harps, and the air was full of melody. The little stranger who had been with them was not to be seen.

Suddenly the stranger child stood before them: no longer cold and ragged, but clad in silver light. His soft voice said, "I was cold and you took me in, I was hungry and you fed me." I am the Christ Child wandering through the world to bring peace and happiness to all good children. As you have given to me, so may this tree, every year, give rich fruit to you."

So saying he broke a branch from the fir tree that grew near the door and planted it in the ground. Then he disappeared. But the branch grew into a great tree, and every year it bore wonderful golden fruit for the kind children.

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IV METHOD OF PROCEDURE

A Preparation

What holiday are we all thinking about now? What do we always have at Christmas? A tree. Have you ever heard why we always have a Christmas tree? To-day we will read a story about the Christmas tree. The teacher writes the title of the story on the board.

B Presentation

The children read the story silently to get the thought, as time, places, and characters.

At what season of the year does our story take place? What was the time of day? About how long ago did our story happen? What was to take place each year?

Where were some children sitting one cold winter night? Where did the fir tree grow? Mention the characters in our story. Why do you admire the character of the children? Why did the Christ Child come in disguise? Who were the children that came in the night?

Next analyze the story according to incidents. What happened first of all in our story? What happened next. Tell what occurred during the night. What did the Christ Child plant? How did he reward the children?

During silent study period the children shall make lists of unfamiliar words and phrases, which the teacher shall explain after the story has been analyzed. Before the story is read, the teacher will show the pictures which illustrate it.

The story is then read, and the following points criticised: position of book, pronunciation, articulation, phrasing and emphasis, and effective communication. C Summary

Let one pupil tell the story. Ask the class for any omissions or additions. Dramatize the story. Have the class sing "Gather around the Christmas Tree," or any other appropriate song.

D Assignment

Study the new lesson.

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Seat Work and Dictation Based on Andersen's Fairy Tales

Laura Rountree Smith

THE FIR TREE

The Story-Part I

A little Fir Tree grew in the heart of the deep woods. It was discontented because it wished to be tall like the Firs and Pines around it

Discontent clouded its mind, so it took no notice of the sunshine, the soft breezes, and the happy little children passing by. Even when the children called it "a happy little tree," it was not happy, though it grew taller every year. You could tell how old it was by its joints as it added a new one every year.

The Fir Tree said, "I wish I was tall, like my companions, so I could look over the wide world, I would safely shelter the birds and wave merrily in the wind!"

The discontented Tree took no pleasure in anything; even when a little hare jumped over it, it was not happy.

Three winters passed by and the little hare saw the tree so tall it could no longer jump over it.

Woodcutters came and took off many of its companion in wagons.

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The Fir Tree said, "Where are my companions going?' The swallows did not answer, but the Stork said, "I think they will make masts for ships that sail the seas.' "What is the sea? I wish I could go to the sea," said the Fir Tree.

As Christmas time came other trees were cut down, some of them smaller than the Fir Tree. They also were piled in wagons and taken off. "Where are they going?" asked the Fir Tree.

The sparrows said, "We can tell you, we have peeped into many houses and seen the trees with candles and gifts upon them."

"What happened finally to the trees?" asked the Fir Tree. The sparrows did not know, so they flew away. The Fir Tree longed for a change as the years passed, and people in passing by often remarked, "What a beautiful tree!"

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What did the Fir Tree wish?

What animal jumped over it?

What difference is there between a hare and a rabbit?
Why did the hare have to skip around it?
Draw or cut the tree and hare.

FOURTH DAY Illustrate the paragraph. "Woodcutters came and took off many of its companions in wagons."

FIFTH DAY Make a study of forest trees and fruit trees. Describe or illustrate the way the branches appear on a Norway Spruce, a Scotch Fir, a Screw Pine, a White Pine. Draw or describe a Cocoa Tree, a Banana Tree, a Papaw Tree, a Plantain Tree. Draw a Poplar Tree. Poplar Tree. What myth can you find about it? (Cook's "Nature Myths.")

Second Week Seat Work

FIRST DAY Where did the stork think the woodcutters were taking the trees? Write and illustrate a paragraph about the sea.

SECOND DAY Draw the window through which the sparrows peeped. Draw the Christmas tree inside loaded with presents. Cut and paste the frame of the window, the tree and presents, or write a paragraph describing a Christmas tree.

THIRD DAY Write the story so far given, in your own words. FOURTH DAY Write a paragraph about obtaining a tree from the woods for Christmas. Tell what kind of a tree it was, who got it, where it was going, how it was decorated, and what became of it in the end.

FIFTH DAY Study Christmas in other lands, tell how and when Christmas is celebrated.

The Story - Part II

Finally, just before Christmas one year the Fir Tree's turn came; the woodmen cut it down and it fell with a crash. When it was placed on the wagon it was sorry to leave its gay companions in the forest, the familiar bushes and flowers, the gentle breeze and the birds.

The tree did not enjoy its ride, or being unpacked by two grand-looking men in livery, or its journey into the beautiful house as much as it had hoped.

It was placed in a tub of sand and decorated with bright paper bags of candy and presents. Candles were placed upon it and fine dolls, and on the top a wonderful star. What a beautiful room the tree was now in! On the walls were pictures and near the stove stood tall vases.

The furniture was handsome and the children's books and playthings lay everywhere.

The children all cried, "We wish it were evening, the Tree will be beautiful this evening."

The Fir Tree wished evening would come, and said to itself, "I wonder who will come to see me? Will the sparrows peep in the window" Shall I carry these beautiful presents all the year?"

There was no one to answer these questions, but at last the candles were lighted, and in trooped the children and grown people to enjoy the Christmas Tree.

At last the lights burned out, and every one had received their presents and the children cried, "Tell us a story!" A little man told a new story about Humpty Dumpty who had a fall, but picked himself up and married a princess. "That is a fine story," thought the Fir Tree. "Perhaps I shall marry a princess yet, who can tell?"

It hoped for another happy evening, but in the morning the servants dragged it into the garret where rats and mice were its only companions.

"Old Fir Tree, can you tell us a story?" asked the mice. The Fir Tree replied, "I am not old, but I can tell the story of Humpty Dumpty," which it did, but the mice would much rather have heard a story about cheese, I am sure!

After a long, long time the Tree was dragged out of the old garret. It thought, "Now I ahall grow again! How I love the fresh air and sunshine!"

The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the tree still had the gilt star upon it.

The children said, "See the ugly old Fir Tree," and one of them pinned the gilt star upon him, and a boy came and chopped the Tree up and made a fire from it!

'Pop, pop, pop!" cried the Fir Tree as it burned under the kettle. It was trying to say, "I wish I had enjoyed myself before it was too late," but the children did not understand the Tree's language; all they could hear was, "Pop, pop, pop!"

Third Week Seat Work
FIRST DAY How did the Tree fall?
How did it feel to leave the forest?
What companions did it leave?
Was it glad to go?

Where did it go?

How was it decorated?

Was the Tree happy?

(Continued on page 666)

WHEN WILL YOU

PAY ME?

SAY THE BELLS OF
OLD BAILEY

(From "The Bells of London Town," illustrated by Gordon Browne. Published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)

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Plays for Very Little Players

Mother Goose and Her Friends

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Peter.

Peter Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater, etc.

Mother Goose I know what Peter wants for Christmas.

A nice big pumpkin, don't you Peter?

Peter Yes, indeed, the bigger the better.
Mother Goose This is Jack Horner.

Jack Horner Little Jack Horner, Sat in a corner, etc. Mother Goose Well, Jack, if you have a big pie, I'm sure you needn't ask Santa for anything else.

Jack Oh, yes, dear Mother Goose! I shall ask him for a bigger pie with more plums.

Mother Goose Goodness, Jack, I'm afraid you are a greedy boy. Here is Old Mother Hubbard.

Old Mother Hubbard Old Mother Hubbard, Went to the cupboard, etc.

Mother Goose Well, Mother Hubbard, what are you asking Santa for?

Old Mother Hubbard I shall ask him for a nice large. bone for my dog. I'm sure Santa will bring me that.

Mother Goose Of course he will. Santa likes folks who are good to animals. And who is this with the umbrella? Child with umbrella Rain, Rain, Go away, etc. Mother Goose What do you want Santa to bring? Child with umbrella I need a new umbrella. See mine

is full of holes.

Mother Goose Here is Boy Blue.

Boy Blue Little Boy Blue, etc.

Mother Goose Won't the sheep and cows go home, Boy Blue?

Boy Blue My horn is no good. But I am going to ask Santa for a new one and then perhaps they will follow me. Mother Goose Little Miss Muffet.

Miss Muffet Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet, etc, Mother Goose What would you like from Santa's pack, Miss Muffet?

Miss Muffet Oh, Mother Goose, do you think Santa has traps for spiders? I am so afraid of them!

Mother Goose I never heard of traps for spiders, but I'm sure Santa will do his best for you. Well, well, Bo Peep! what is wrong?

Bo Peep Little Bo Peep, etc. Dear Mother Goose, do you think Santa will bring me some more sheep?

Mother Goose Well, don't cry, Bo Peep, perhaps he will, if you are very good. Well, children, what can you sing? Children Ring a Round a Rosy, etc. (Children play and sing same.)

Mother Goose What a nice game!

Children Oh, Mother Goose, do you think Santa would bring us a new game? We are so tired of this one!

Mother Goose Well, my dears, I'm sure your wants are very few. Now let us ask our friends if they have seen Santa.

All Sing "Have you seen dear Santa Claus?" (Original song or any song children know.)

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