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While students vary in ability and background, the following offers a suggested guide for use of Classic Curriculum materials. This Classic Curriculum Scope and Sequence has been revised as of October 7, 2004
Reading
Arithmetic
Supplementary Choices
Reading
Arithmetic
Supplementary Choices
Reading
Writing
Arithmetic
Supplementary Choices
Reading
Writing
Arithmetic
Supplementary Choices
Reading
Writing
Arithmetic
Supplementary Choices
Reading
Writing
Arithmetic
Supplementary Choices
Reading
Writing
Arithmetic
Supplementary Choices
Reading
Writing
Arithmetic
Supplementary Choices
Reading
Writing
Arithmetic
Government
Supplementary Choices
Reading
Writing
Arithmetic
Government
Supplementary Choices
Reading
Writing
Arithmetic
Government
Supplementary Choices
Reading
Writing
Arithmetic
Government
Supplementary Choices
*Spencerian Penmanship
**Ray's New Higher Arithmetic does not include Algebra or Geometry; however, the arithmetic problems require upper level math skills and can be used to apply Algebra and Geometry skills learned elsewhere and supplement the lack of story problems in most upper level math texts. |
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By Hazel Clauter and Janice Byrne The McGuffey's Eclectic Readers were first used in 1836 and are still
considered as one of America's most famous pedagogical tools. The revised
edition with the 1879 copyright date, available in facsimile at Pioneer Sholes
School, may not have been done under the original author, W.H. McGuffey, but it
was developed out of the same concept as the earlier editions.
In every level from Primer to Sixth Reader, pupils are bombarded with a
steady stream of moral lessons including kindness to animals, adherence to
Christian principles, allegiance to country, good manners, and consideration of
others. The virtues presented to American youth were the prime values in which
Americans professed to believe.
One reason for the popularity of the McGuffey's Readers was that reader
level and age (or grade level) were not synonymous. This was especially true
in the nineteenth century as students took time off for farm chores. For
example, the Third Reader has a story title "Beware of the First Drink,"
suggesting that a fifteen or sixteen year old student might get no further that
the Third Reader. Another reason for the books' popularity was the logical
progression from simple to more difficult material. From the Primer upward new
words were presented so that the child gained an ever widening vocabulary.
With pictures abounding, the books were visually interesting.
The title word Eclectic means that the stories and rhymes were culled from a
wide range of literature. Thus the selections included poetry and prose
selections about history, philosophy, and science. Spelling and penmanship
exercises were included as were phonics charts and tables showing the use of
punctuation marks. Books were routinely read aloud, so there was concern for
enunciation, syllabification, and the use of diacritical marks to achieve them
were emphasized. Today's students often comment that they are surprised by the
wide variety to be found in these texts of yesteryear.
Both the McGuffey's Eclectic Readers and The McGuffey's Eclectic Spelling
Book are available in facsimile at better bookstores, through catalogue order
houses, and on-line. Pioneer Sholes School has ample sets of both texts for
visiting classes to use.
(Jackie Norland and Joanne Thompson contributed the selections from McGuffey's for these lesson plans.) McGuffey's Eclectic Educational Series Goal: to have the students experience reading instruction as it was done circa 1990. Materials: McGuffey's Eclectic Educational Series, Revised Edition. New York: American Book Company 1907-1921. [Facsimile series] Procedures:
Recitations and Evaluations: Meet with each group or assign adult volunteers to meet with some of the groups. Hear the oral recitation from each group. At the end of the reading period, have "older students" check the seatwork.
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