Kit found the traditional methods of teaching at the dame school to be gloomy and monotonous.  She decided to make learning more interesting to the schoolchildren by creating two line rhymes which were customized to each student.  Kit began telling stories to the children at the end of the school day, though "Mercy worried about this indulgence."  The story time was "a reward at the end of the day's work."  Kit told the stories with "zest and liveliness."  One day, Kit decided to tell the Biblical story of The Good Samaritan.  She had the idea to get the children involved by having them act out parts of the story.  Mercy was surprised and hesitant at this idea, but Kit went ahead with it, insisting that there was nothing wrong because it was a Biblical story.  

When Kit taught Prudence, she traced the letters into the sandy floor at Hannah's house.  When Prudence learned the letters, she rewarded her with blueberry cake.  Rewarding students for learning was unconventional in Connecticut in the late 1600s.

What teaching methods does Kit use in the schoolroom and with Prudence?

When Kit helps Mercy teach the local children in their dame school, she begins by using the primers, simple readers that the children read their lessons from. Although Mercy is patient with having the students repeat sounds and syllables as they look at the letters in their hornbooks, Kit longs for more exciting lessons. She remembers the fascinating books from her grandfather's library and wishes she could make reading and school as interesting for her students as it was for her. She knows the more interesting the lessons are, the more quickly and thoroughly the students will learn.

She starts incorporating more innovative teaching strategies in their classroom. First she creates rhymed couplets about each student for the student to read instead of the primer. Then she bribes them with stories; if they do good work, she'll tell them a story before they're dismissed for the day. Mercy has her doubts about the dramatic tales Kit tells, even though they are just from Pilgrim's Progress and the Bible. Kit goes too far when she gets the students involved in play-acting the story of the good Samaritan. The schoolmaster and reverend come in while the class is chaotic and reprimand the girls for their unorthodox approach.

Prudence is too old to attend the dame school, and at any rate, her mother would not have let her attend. Kit arranges to meet Prudence in the meadows for lessons, and after just three lessons, she begins to master her letters using the hornbook. Kit introduces Prudence to Hannah, and after that, Prudence more or less teaches herself to read using the hornbook, a primer, and eventually Hannah's Bible. Prudence responds to Kit's encouragement and is so motivated to learn to read that she doesn't need much direct instruction. Eventually, Kit brings quill, ink, and paper and teaches Prudence how to write as well as read.

Both in the dame school and with Prudence, Kit realizes the importance of a friendly environment and motivation in learning to read.