Other important features which an examination of the volume will show are the following: the narrative style of the prose selections; the literary quality of the selections - many of them being chosen from standard writers; the adaptations from the myths, fables, and fairy stories; the free use of poems and stories which serve to stimulate patriotism. The culture side is emphasized, and through the work it has been the aim to build up in the imagination beautiful pictures based upon the observation of facts, and to train the æsthetic and emotional nature of the child, thus lifting him to nobler aspirations and truer ideals. It is unnecessary to add, to the experienced teacher, that the pupil should not be asked to read these lessons before having learned something of the subject matter which they contain. The topics should be studied and discussed first as language lessons; after which the corresponding reading lesson may be used. In this way impressions gained through the language lessons will be deepened, the imagination will be stimulated, and the reading be more intelligent because the thought is better understood. The copyrighted material in this book is used by permission of, and special arrangement with, Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Company, Roberts Brothers, Henry T. Coates & Company, Ford, Howard, Hubbard & Company, G. P. Putnam's Sons, D. Appleton & Company, Estes & Lauriat, E. P. Dutton & Company, The Century Company, University Publishing Company, Educational Publishing Company, School Educational Company, Penn Publishing Company, New England Publishing Company, Silver, Burdett & Company, and the publishers of the Youth's Companion, Good Housekeeping, The Kindergarten Review, The Outlook, and Primary School; to all of whom the compilers desire to express their most grateful acknowledgment for the courtesy and good will extended. The compilers also cordially thank the authors who so graciously granted permission for the use of their stories and poems. |