The Open Door Language Series (set)

Zenos E. Scott, Randolph T. Congdon, Harriet E. Peet, and Laura Frazee

Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA, 1928

About this Item

These books were part of the State of Arizona State-Owned (Free) Textbook collection. They were available to ?check out? and had private library bookplates on the inside covers. These were used in the Phoenix area to teach English as a second language to Spanish-speaking children. As 8- to 11-year-olds use them, the books naturally and inevitably deteriorate from ordinary use and time ? rips, tears, scuffing, edge wear, discoloration, dings, missing pages, taped pages, and water stains. Additionally, these little gems survived an F4 tornado.

The Open Door Language Series is a vintage set of early 20th-century (c. 1926-1928) English language textbooks designed as a classroom guide covering grammar, composition, and oral expression. This set includes the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade volumes.

These antique textbooks were an innovative language course. According to the introduction, ?As the name of the series suggests, the book is an open door to self-development for each child, no matter what his native endowment may be. It endeavors to conserve ability in the use of language, which is frequently lost when adult standards are prematurely thrust upon pupils and when all pupils are expected to fit into the same mold. To be of value, a training in English must be considered inseparable from the training in thinking and in living. The lessons in the book are therefore based on interesting group activities that stimulate thought, develop personal initiative, and promote a spirit of cooperation."

Key Details of the Series:
Target Audience: Originally designed for elementary and middle school learners (e.g., First Book, Second Book, and by-grade courses).
Focus Areas: The series focuses on functional grammar, composition, punctuation, ?language games,? and storytelling to encourage correct language usage.
Structure: It emphasizes both oral composition (talking well) and written composition (paragraphing and proofreading).
Availability: These books are often found today as vintage collectibles, reprints, or digitized versions.

Seller Inventory # 01-001503

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Open Door Language Series (set)
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA
• Publication Date: 1928
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Fair
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Dimensions: 1.75W x 7.5H x 5.625D inches 1.75 inches width by 7.5 inches height by 5.625 inches depth
• Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Seller catalogs:
  • Language