A pioneer school located in Harrisburg, Banner County, Nebraska

Orthography (Spelling)

Lesson time: 20 Minutes plus Spelling bee. 

OBJECTIVES:  In order to accommodate the lack of reading books and the small size of the actual Flowerfield log school, the students are divided into three groups.  One group will study spelling words, one group will go with the class room teacher to the log Flowerfield School for penmanship and the third group will be at the recitation bench for reading class.   The students rotate from one group to the next until they participate in all three classes.

Students  will practice spelling and writing words chosen to enrich their vocabulary in preparation for an old fashioned spelling bee.

Spelling words are written on a black board at the front of the room  the students  will copy the words on to their slates  and practice by writing them several times.  Many of the words are names of places in the immediate area and are known as landmarks.  Other words are typical of common items in 1888.

Later in the day the students will participate in a spelling bee.  A certificate is awarded to the best speller.  The spelling bee procedures are:

1.  The word is pronounced by the teacher and used in a sentence.

2.  The word is then repeated by the student.

3.  The student spells the word.  If mistake is made, student may upon making the mistake, ask for a second try (same rules on starting over).

4.  The student then repeats the word.  Once the word is repeated, his turn is complete.

5.  The student who misspells a word must sit down.