THE

RATIONAL METHOD IN READING

AN ORIGINAL PRESENTATION OF SIGHT AND SOUND WORK
THAT LEADS RAPIDLY TO INDEPENDENT AND

HARVARD COLLECE LOGΟΥ

BROWN UNאיורי ויו

JUN 13 1939

COPYRIGHT, 1903,

BY SILVER, BURDETT AND COMPANY.

PREFACE..

THE course of reading laid out by the author of this series of books is completed with this Reader. The plan of the book was fully determined upon and its outlines were sketched during Mr. Ward's lifetime. The many cares of his office compelled him to defer the making of the book; but Dr. William L. Felter, Principal of the Girls' High School, Brooklyn, formerly Associate Superintendent of Schools, and Miss Mary A. Ward, Principal of Public School No. 89, Brooklyn, who have undertaken to complete his work, have endeavored to catch his spirit and develop his plans. Some of the selections were passed upon by him.

The subject-matter is of the same general variety that has been found in the previous books of the series, but pieces of increased difficulty have been selected. The ethical element remains the dominant one, but literary form has been considered of no less importance. The minds of the children of the age for which this Reader is adapted turn naturally to tales of adventure and romance. The stories from mythology and history will appeal directly to them.

It will be observed that no diacritical marks are found in this Reader. The book may be regarded as a test of the method, and there can be little or no doubt that a child well grounded in the phonograms and knowing the sight words, having read the previous books of the series, will readily master the contents of this Reader.

Every class presents its own peculiar difficulties to the teacher, who will plan to meet and overcome them. Let each teacher prepare the reading lesson, marking diacritically upon the blackboard the words likely to need special attention. Let these words be drilled

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upon and their meaning made clear before the reading of the lesson is undertaken. Here, as elsewhere, preparation is the key to success.

The absence of diacritical marks makes it possible to use this book for supplementary reading in connection with any series.

Acknowledgment is made in various places in the book to publishers who have allowed the use of certain selections. Acknowledgment is also due to Katharine Lee Bates for having granted permission for the use of her "Vacation Song"; to the Frank Leslie Publishing Company for "Columbus"; to E. Steiger for the use of "Old Santa Claus"; to the Henry Altemus Company for the use of "A Mad Tea-party"; and to Rossiter W. Raymond for permission to adapt and use "One Cent."

"Born in Prison" and "The Complaint of the Chrysalis" are taken from "Moths and Butterflies," published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, and used by their permission and by the courtesy of Addison Ballard.

The selections from the writings of E. C. Stedman and Alice Cary are used by special arrangement with and permission of Houghton, Mifflin & Company, the authorized publishers of the writings of these

authors.