EducT 158.91.470

HARVARD COMMIGE LIBRARY

BY EXCHANGE

DEC 18 1939

PREFACE.

THE Second Reader carries forward progressively the work of the First Reader. A judicious combination of the Word and Phonic methods has been adopted. These can be used to supplement each other, or separately as the teacher may prefer.

The lessons preserve the same easy gradation as those of the First Reader. The stories in prose and verse are well adapted to awaken a lively interest in the minds of the pupils, and at the same time to instil principles of truthfulness and honesty, and sentiments of kindness and honor.

Most of the new words are placed at the head of the lessons in which they first occur. Their pronunciation has been indicated by appropriate diacritical marks, so as to enable the pupil to pronounce them at sight.

The questions and language exercises at the end of the lessons are designed to cultivate the constructive powers of the pupil. The aim has been to present a suggestive variety of exercises, rather than to develop any special line of work. These exercises may be modified or enlarged by the teacher to suit the requirements of the class. Others should be added where it is possible to make the lesson more interesting and instructive.

The phonic exercises are simply and conveniently arranged, and are believed to be suited to the demands of a Second Reader.

The script exercises have been prepared with great care expressly for this book. Pupils can be trained to read the written form of words as easily as the printed form.

The Editors take pleasure in acknowledging their obligations to several teachers of large experience in the class-room for valuable assistance in the preparation of this book. Acknowledgment is also due to the publishers of "Our Little Ones" for a single selection.

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COPYRIGHT, 1886, BY THE UNIVERSITY PUBLISHING COMPANY.