"Andy stood in the middle of the track, and stretched out his little arms

("The Little Hero of the Railroad," p. 69.)

HARVARD COLLEGE

Miss M. m.

MAR 7 1935

LIBRARY Watson

TO SCHOOL OFFICERS.

The attention of School Officers is invited to the following points in this Third Language Reader."

Vocabulary.-The most difficult words occurring in each lesson are arranged in the vocabularies, with syllabication, accents, and diacriticals for oral spelling, either by the alphabetic or the phonic method.

Preparatory Dictation. As the needed preparation for intelligent reading, the lesson is preceded by a dictation (to be written by the class as the best possible spelling exercise), containing the more difficult words, the meaning of which is illustrated by their use in easy familiar sentences. It would be difficult to exaggerate the utility of this entirely original exercise.

Language Lessons. - Under this head will be found a variety of attractive work suited to the capacity of Third-Reader classes. It comprises exercises in sentence-writing, supplying ellipses, word-analysis, the use of synonyms, etc. (See these Exercises throughout.)

Composition. Each piece specially fitted for reproduction in an abstract from memory is followed by a syllabus ("Heads for Composition"), in which, by a series of topics and hints, the young composer is aided in reproducing, in his own language and in orderly sequence, the salient features of the piece he has just read. (For further explanation of this novel feature, see "Suggestions to the Teacher.")

Matter. In the selection, adaptation, and composition of the reading-picces, the most earnest effort has been put forth to furnish sound and sweet mental food. An attempt has been made to introduce into the book a little of what may be called organism, by carrying on a certain number of pieces (about one-half) on distinct strains, - a series of lessons on "HOME PETS," as the living forms most familiar and interesting to children; a second series, "BRIGHT EXAMPLES," to touch and stimulate the affections; and a third series, "ABOUT PLANTS," as a slight glimpse of Nature in one of her most attractive aspects.