OF READING BOOKS. BY REV. C. S. DAWE, B.A., INSTRUCTIVE READER, No. 5. (Standards V and V1). The Educational Supply Association, LIMITED, 1, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON. 1877. PREFACE. HIS book forms the last of the series, and though THIS specially designed for scholars in the Fifth and Sixth Standards of Elementary Schools, will be found useful in schools generally as an Introduction to English Literature. The lessons are of a varied character, to afford exercises in reading in every kind of style, and to aid the readers in acquiring the command of an extensive vocabulary. The explanatory notes will direct the attention of young teachers to the difficulties most likely to occur to their pupils, and assist them in giving the required explanation. No attempt has been made to supply a complete course of lessons on any "specific subject," as pupils at this stage should be provided with special text-books on the subjects selected for their special study. It is hoped, however, that a fair proportion of lessons is devoted to scientific subjects, and that they will be found to impart solid information to stimulate curiosity, and to awaken inquiry respecting the nature of the universe and its relation to man. The notices of the authors, at the head of some of the lessons, are calculated to give the pupils some acquaintance with the more eminent of our English writers. 66 Pupils in public elementary schools are now required in the Upper Standards to read with intelligence and expression, to insure a pass" at the Government examinations. It is believed that this book will prove conducive to this important end, as the lessons are sufficiently clear and attractive in style to be read with pleasure, and, by the aid of the notes, with a due appreciation of the author's meaning. Two or three lessons are taken from Dawe's "Landmarks of General History," with the kind permission of Messrs. Collins and Sons, and two others from Dawe and Lawson's "History of England," published in the "Holborn Series." |
