a.38055. REFACE In this book, the characteristic features of t First Reader are continued, viz. : 1.-The conversational style of the reading matter 2.-The same careful and systematic gradation. 3.-The placing of all new words at the heads 4.-The same variety and excellence of illustratio 6.-The new type, of light face and graceful shap made especially for these books. In addition to the above features, "Language Les sons" have been introduced into this book. They present a great variety of methods used b the best teachers to develop habits of observation and reflection. They are to be considered as suggestions simply, and experienced teachers will modify, omit or amplify them to suit the varying requirements of their pupils. A few examples of outline drawings of animals are given, not with the idea of making artists of pupils, but to secure a closer observation of the subjects treated in the lesson. The easy method employed may be applied to the reproduction of any picture, and it affords pupils amusement as well as instruction. For the benefit of those teachers who desire to teach the vowel sounds and their equivalents, as an aid to the pronunciation of new words, "Vowel Exercises" have been prefixed to some of the earlier lessons. The "New Words" also appear with the diacritical marks of Webster. After page ninety-six, plurals (regularly formed), possessives, compounds, and simple derivatives are not included in the "New Words." |