McGuffey's Eclectic Primer, Revised Edition by William Holmes McGuffey is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time as one of the most influential primers in American education.
This primer, originally published in the 1830s, has been revised and updated to suit the modern reader while still maintaining the essence of the original text. The book presents a systematic approach to teaching young children the basics of reading, writing, and grammar, making it an ideal resource for homeschooling parents or early education teachers.
One of the main highlights of this primer is its selection of engaging and age-appropriate stories and poems that serve as reading exercises. Through fables, moral tales, and rhythmic verses, McGuffey introduces children to phonics, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. The stories are carefully graded to ensure a gradual progression in difficulty, allowing children to build their reading skills incrementally.
What sets this primer apart is its emphasis on character development and moral values. The stories impart important lessons, promoting virtues such as honesty, humility, hard work, and respect. This aspect adds a deeper layer to the reading experience, fostering not only linguistic abilities but also ethical growth in young readers.
The revised edition features contemporary and colorful illustrations, enhancing the learning experience and making the text more appealing to children. The inclusion of sight-word exercises and spelling patterns further aids in developing the reader's word recognition skills. The gradual introduction of writing exercises reinforces the connection between reading and writing, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.
One minor drawback of this primer is its traditional focus on a limited range of vocabulary and themes. While it was designed for a different era, the book might benefit from incorporating more diverse stories and perspectives to reflect the multicultural realities of today's world.
Overall, McGuffey's Eclectic Primer, Revised Edition remains a classic and invaluable resource that has laid the foundation for countless individuals' reading abilities. Its systematic and engaging approach to teaching language and morals has truly stood the test of time. Whether used in traditional classrooms, homeschooling environments, or as supplemental reading material, this primer continues to serve as a trusted tool for fostering early education.
First Page:
[Transcriber's Notes:Welcome to the schoolroom of 1900. The moral tone is plain. "She is kind to the old blind man."
The exercises are still suitable, and perhaps more helpful than some contemporary alternatives. Much is left to the teacher. Explanations given in the text are enough to get started teaching a child to read and write. Counting in Roman numerals is included as a bonus in the form of lesson numbers.
Don Kostuch ]
ECLECTIC EDUCATIONAL SERIES.
McGUFFEY'S[Registered]
ECLECTIC PRIMER.
REVISED EDITION.
[Illustration: Two children in hammock.]
McGuffey Editions and Colophon are Trademarks of
JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. NEW YORK CHICHESTER WEINHEIM BRISBANE SINGAPORE TORONTO
Copyright, 1881, By Van Antwerp, Brag & Co.
Copyright, 1896, By American Book Company.
Copyright, 1909, By Henry H. Vail.
EP 179
Preface
The flattering success of McGuffey's Revised Readers, and the inquiry for more primary reading matter to be used in the first year of school work, have induced the Publishers to prepare a REVISED PRIMER, which may be used to precede the First Reader of any well arranged series.
The method pursued is the same as that in McGuffey's Revised Readers, and the greatest possible care has been taken to insure a gradation suited to the youngest children... Continue reading book >>
