BOOKS BY FLORENCE BASS THE BEGINNER'S READER. A PRIMER FOR YOUNG EST CLASSES. Illustrated in colors. A FIRST READER. FOR FIRST YEAR CLASSES. PLANT LIFE. STORIES OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS FOR SECOND YEAR CLASSES. ANIMAL LIFE. STORIES OF ANIMALS, INSECTS, ETC., FOR SECOND AND THIRD YEAR CLASSES. STORIES OF PIONEER LIFE. FOR THIRD YEAR CLASSES. D. C. HEATH & CO., PUBLISHERS •INTRODUCTION IN this book the words are developed from the beginning, in order that pupils may have a definite list of words in mind from which to recall the sounds of letters. Words which pupils are not able to recall from previous work are at first taught as wholes, either from association with objects, pictures, or actions, or from the sentences in which they are used. Phonic drill, separate from the reading lesson, should be given for practice (1) in listening for sounds in spoken words; (2) in learning to recognize the printed letter representing the sound; and (3) in making the written form. For example, at the close of Lesson II, children know the words "see" and "swim," and how to write them. They should listen for the first sound which they hear in these words. The teacher may pronounce many words containing this sound, such as "so, say, sit, save, sell, us, miss, class, grass, sand, sun,” etc., having the children tell whether they hear "s" (sound of s) first or last. The pupils should write the words " see " and "swim," and point to the part that represents "s" (sound of s). They should also learn to recognize the printed letter that stands for the same sound. Similar drill should be given on each new sound as it is introduced. The children will soon learn a sufficient number of sounds to enable them to find out some of the new words for themselves. Gradually fewer words need to be told, as pupils will be able to "sound them" with but little help. So carefully have the words been introduced that there are only about eighty words in the entire book that need to be learned as wholes. By the time the pupil reaches page 88, he has had all the sounds necessary to enable him to sound any word when properly marked. |