oot prefixes, suffixes, homonyms, antonyms, synonyms, and
hyphens are taught, either as a part of composition or as a part of
dictionary exercises.

The value of teaching spelling rules is still somewhat a matter of
controversy, although the weight of experimental evidence seems to
indicate that children do not profit from a study of the rules in
spelling, as much as they profit from the same amount of time spent in
the direct study of the important words covered by these rules.
However, since some city and state courses of study require the
teaching of the rules, it seems advisable to put the more important
rules in this supplement.

An effort has been made to state these rules in the simplest manner
possible, within the limits of accuracy. Great care has been taken,
also, to tabulate, for each rule, the words frequently used in
correspondence, which are exceptions.

The teacher should understand clearly that it is not the intention of
the authors to have these rules take the place of the direct teaching
of any word. Rather they are to be regarded as supplementary
exercises. It is doubtful whether much attention should be given to
rules before grade seven.

DERIVATION OF WORDS

Often one word is built up from several words or syllables. The most
important part of such a built-up word is called the root, or base.
This root or base had an original meaning which is usually clear,
especially in purely English words, as in-side, happi-ness, etc. Many
built-up or derivative words are from other languages. A few examples
may help to illustrate:

1. international--Latin inter (between) plus nation (nation) plus
al (pertaining to)--between nations, pertaining to intercourse
between nations.

The root is "nation."

2. extraordinary--Latin extra (on the outside, out of) plus
ordinarius (ordinary)--out of the ordinary, unusual.

The root is "ordinar."

3. provide--Latin pro (before) plus vid (to look or see)--to look
before or ahead, to look out for in advance.

The root is "vid."

4. convention--Latin con (together) plus ven (to come) plus tion
(act of)--act of coming together--meeting.

The root is "ven."

Many roots or bases are taken directly from the English:

1. out-come--act of coming out--that which comes out of something
else--result.

2. in-side--inner side or surface.

3. cheer-ful--full of cheer.