TBE NEW YORK ALDIN FOUNDATIONS COPYRIGHT, 1891, BY ELLEN M. CYR ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 89.11 The Athenæum Press TO THE TEACHERS OF THE CHILDREN. It is of the utmost importance that the earliest steps in reading should be taken in the right direction. The habit of throwing expression into the sentences from the very first is invaluable; and this is impossible where the vocabulary is large. With this fact in mind, the lessons have been made as simple as possible; the average number of new words being about two and one-quarter to each page. "To let the new life in, we know Desire must ope the portal." The subjects of the lessons have been chosen with an especial view to interesting the little ones so that their expression will come naturally and spontaneously. The wise teacher will weave an interest about the earliest lessons, filling them with thought and meaning of which the printed text shall be but a suggestion. A question here and there, a drawing out of the memory and imagination, will fill the pupil with a real interest in what he is reading; and the eager child nature will exult in the knowledge he has acquired, and pressing forward to what lies beyond will throw life and meaning into the simplest sentences. Hoping this book may be of service to the teachers as well as to the children, whose interests are always near my heart, I remain, Yours very cordially, ELLEN M. CYR. |