Publisher's Synopsis
From the PREFACE.
THIS book provides a course in language to be used within the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth year grades, covering either two or three years, according to the amount of time allowed for language work, the age of the pupils, and their previous training.
In the preparation of it the design has been -
(1) To help children to talk and write more freely about the many things that they see or know. Suggestive questions have been asked, in order to stimulate thought, to develop clear ideas, and to enable the learner to report more readily, both orally and in writing, what he has discovered. Provision has been made for a great amount of practice in talking and writing.
(2) To make children more and more observing, - especially in the field of natural science, -adding to their knowledge, and leading them to find out for themselves. Teaching from the object itself, when practicable, is much to be desired. Many illustrations are set before the children for descriptive and imaginative writing, and help is given in the form of leading questions.
(3) To make correct expression habitual, by calling for frequent repetition of the right forms, and by constantly suppressing the wrong.
(4) To secure the use of correct written forms by giving models for imitation, and by leading up to simple rules for the use of capitals, punctuation-marks, and word-forms, with examples and much work for practice.
(5) To give a little insight into the structure of language by showing how words are classified.
Various methods are introduced which experience has shown to be attrac tive, thoroughly sound, and quickly effective; and it is confidently believed that children who do the work of the book under these methods will make great gain in talking and writing easily, clearly, and correctly, within the range of their knowledge....
