EAR TRAINING EXERCISES.
Directions.1. The purpose of ear training is to familiarize the child with the elementary sounds in the language, so that he may have accurate sound images before associating them with the corresponding symbols.
2. Give the sounds of the letters, not the names. Teach the letter-names later in the Phonic Lessons. Give the sounds softly but distinctly. A loud, harsh voice makes purity of sound impossible.
3. Cultivate the attentive ear in children. Teach them to hear, and then to image, the song of the birds, the patter of the rain, the sound of the wind, the hum of the bee, the puff of the locomotive and other familiar sounds.
4. The rhymes and poems are suggestive, not final. The teacher may choose others if they better meet her need. Those selected from song literature have a tone quality that will interest children and prove helpful in training the ear. Read the poems aloud in a well modulated voice, with clear articulation, that the children may become sensitive to the beauty of the human voice.
5. Ear training should precede the formal study of phonics for a few weeks. The exact time required cannot be arbitrarily named, because it depends not only upon the ability of the class but also upon the teaching power of the one in charge. From six to eight weeks, with daily periods ten or fifteen minutes in length, will accomplish good results.
I.
Consonant sounds are taught by phonic analysis of words, and not by any artificial device. Ear training exercises are helpful as a preparation for this work. Let the first sounding be doneby the teacherand have the children perform the actions as she slightly separates the sound elements. In this way the ear soon becomes accustomed to the formation of words from their phonic elements.
Ex.:
Caution.There should be no abruptness about such an exercise. The slight separation and the gentle prolonging are sufficient to keep the children listening and interested. Avoid giving to separate consonants, sounds which they do not possess.
II.
Slow Pronunciation of Names.Children are interested in their own names; if they pronounce these slowly they will begin to distinguish sounds. The teacher first pronounces her own name as the children watch, making prominent the initial sound. She then calls upon different children to pronounce their names.Ex.: A child named Mary says: "My name is M-ary," emphasizing the sound "M." Another says, "My name is R-obert," emphasizing the sound "R," etc.
III.
Singing Games.The old-fashioned singing games, such as "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush," "London Bridge," "Looby Loo," etc., will delight the children and are excellent exercises for ear training. (SeeFolk Songs and Gamesby Marie Ruef Hofer.)
IV.
Phonic Game.What is it?A child acts as leader and stands in the front of the room. The children in their seats question him until the supply of rhymes is exhausted.Ex.:
Leader: I'm thinking of something that rhymes withtop.Child: Is it chop?Leader: It is not chop.Child: Is it hop?Leader: It is hop.
Leader: I'm thinking of something that rhymes withtop.Child: Is it chop?Leader: It is not chop.Child: Is it hop?Leader: It is hop.
Object. Grouping of words with like phonograms and final consonants.
V.
Phonic Game.Guess.Ask a child to leave the room. Children in their seats choose a word. When the child returns he either acts out the word he has in mind or describes it.Ex.:
Action.
We are thinking of something that rhymes withbat.Is it this? (Child guessing puts on a hat.)No. It is not hat.Is it this? (Child guessing pats his head.)No. It is not pat.Is it this? (Child guessing saysMeow.)Yes. It is cat.Is it a pretty color?It is not red.Is it something we sleep in?It is not bed.Is it a boy's name?Yes. It is Ned.
We are thinking of something that rhymes withbat.Is it this? (Child guessing puts on a hat.)No. It is not hat.Is it this? (Child guessing pats his head.)No. It is not pat.Is it this? (Child guessing saysMeow.)Yes. It is cat.Is it a pretty color?It is not red.Is it something we sleep in?It is not bed.Is it a boy's name?Yes. It is Ned.
VI.
Phonic Game.Hide and Seek.Teacher gives the first rhyme. She then calls upon a child to give a rhyme using the same initial letter. This child then calls upon another child. Continue in this way until the rhymes are exhausted.Ex.:
I am inrun.I am not inSun.I am inrug.I am not inbug.I am inrose.I am not innose.
Object—Grouping of words with like initial consonants.
Caution—Be careful to articulate the initial and final consonants distinctly.