Synopsis
McGuffey's First Reader begins with the alphabet, then quickly moves to spelling, reading, and writing short words, sentences, stories, and poems. Lessons are brief and easy to use with Charlotte Mason-style copywork and recitation. Focus: Reading and Spelling Grade level: Pre-K-1 or as needed Content: 57 lessons, 102 pages This charming little first reader begins with the alphabet, presented in upper- and lower-case formats. Carefully chosen engravings (pictures) provide memorable clues to letter sounds, making the illustrated alphabet useful for quick reference. Beginning with the very first lesson, students practice spelling short words, then reading the resulting sentences. These simple first sentences begin by using two-letter words to form questions and answers, allowing the student to learn in context right from the beginning. As a result, they begin to see how word order can change meaning. Before the first lesson is a Pronouncing Exercise, a simple list of the words to be studied. In each lesson where new words are introduced, a similar list is provided. This makes it easy to present new letters, sounds, and words, or to use the words in a spelling quiz. At the beginning of the lesson, McGuffey instructs the teacher to “Let the child spell each word in the line, then read the line.” Each lesson will be practiced this way, unless different instructions are provided or you choose to approach the lessons differently. An introduction has been added with instructions for using Charlotte Mason's methods of copywork, recitation, and narration with the readers. Instructions for each of these methods is found in the new 18-page introduction that has been added to this edition. Like Miss Mason, Mr. McGuffey believed in short lessons, learned well, so the readers provide a convenient source for material to use with Miss Mason’s methods.
About the Author
William Holmes McGuffey (1800-1873) McGuffey was an American theologian and Professor of Moral Philosophy, Greek, and Latin who believed that education should include spiritual and moral training. He was mindful of the practical and budgetary issues of teaching in the one-room schoolhouses of the American frontier, and his goal was to create a curriculum that even untrained teachers could use to provide practical instruction in communication skills through memorable stories and poems. His Readers were often the only books that children had access to, and according to an article in the History and Culture newsletter of the National Park Service, "Most prominent post-Civil War and turn-of-the-century American figures credited their initial success in learning to the Readers" (NPS).
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