The Second Department is for the entertainment of children both young and old. Its lessons are taken from God's Word. While the children are learning to read from the "Easy Lesson" department, let the parents and older brothers and sisters read to them the Bible stories which follow, showing and explaining to them the beautiful pictures which accompany them. Lessons taught in this manner will never be forgotten.

To Teachers and Parents.

God speaks to us through His Word, by His Spirit, and through nature. By interesting children in nature, which is all about them, it is hoped they will find pleasure in studying God's open book, and thus be led to love and study His written Word.

Blackboard Teaching.—The crayon and the blackboard are very essential in the work with children. Let the first lessons be given in script from the blackboard. The simple sentences may be drawn from the child by questioning. Then tell the child that you will write what he has said. Then ask, "Now can you read it?" The lesson should be about some thing which the child can see, and in which he is interested.

For a review lesson, if the idiom, "I see," has been learned, many sentences may be made by drawing the objects, as "I see a *" (here draw a leaf or some other object). Use the idioms, "I have," "This is," etc., in the same way. The earlier lessons in this book should be largely supplemented from the blackboard in this way, or by variation of the different sentences.

From the first let the children write on the board, where there can be free movement of the arm. Original work should be aimed at from the start. The child soon learns to write the idiom, "I see;" then he is prepared to do original work on the board or on paper. The blackboard work on page 33 is suggestive of what may be done in original work.

Sentence Reading.—The words of a sentence should not be read separately. At first the sentences are short, and the words are soon easily known at sight. Until the thought is known, the sentence should not be read aloud. Hence silent reading should always precede oral reading with children. "Read as you talk," is a good rule.

Writing.—The script capitals and small letters on page 6 are for reference. The letters are not to be written separately, but to be used in words. For practice in writing, use the simple sentences found in the lessons. If written many times, the words will be memorized, and can be used in original work.

Drawing.—Allow free hand drawing. Use outline drawings of objects, as on pages 13 and 49. Lay sticks, then draw them. Provide children with sticks of different lengths. The kindergarten colored sticks are best. They are inexpensive, and can be used in many ways.

Encourage picture illustrations of simple stories. Also the illustration of Bible lessons. Many or all of them may be crude, but thoughts are expressed, and the lesson more deeply impressed.

Reviews.—Observe the suggestion about silent reading first. If the thought is not easily gotten, the words are not familiar—not well learned. The child should use the words many times. As reiteration is the only way in which words are learned through the ear, so it is the only way they are learned through the eye. The use of the blackboard is an invaluable help in making impressions through the eye.