Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1888-12-12

books out Of school. In this work
parents and teacher must CO operate.
The amount Of injurious reading
matter kept on hand BY The book
dealers throughout our country. ev-
licences two things: A desire to read
and want Of taste in discriminat-
ing between what is good and what
is worthless. Book dealers certain
ly are not responsible, since they
but meet the demands made upon
them. Let the demand be a differ
ent one. aid the supply will be
changed in its quality. What is
wanted, then, is to establish the
reading habit in the homes. Our
regular supplementary readers are
not allowed to be taken home. Our
library books, such as we have, are
allowed to be taken. The proceeds
Of our last exhibition will be used
in procuring some supplementary
readers and in completing our set Of
Britannica, Of which five volumes
are wanting. 1t must be some time
yet before our library can be sup
piled with entertaining books for
children in the lower grades, yet it
is thought something can be done
here before the end Of the school
year. Much has been done already.
Our purpose is to supply each Of
these grades with twenty or more
entertaining story books Of CORES
ponding grade with the readers
used. Very beautiful are the books
that can be thus purchased, for our
modern writers are excellent in ev-
cry particular.
The writer is acquainted with
pupil who has been absent from
school because of poor health. The
weary hours of sickness have been
beguiled in reading entertaining
books, biography, travel, fiction, etc,
and the result is, this pupil does
more intelligent work when in
school. Here the efforts of the
teacher have been supplemented by
the parents. A gentleman once told
me that it was his custom to put
several readers Of corresponding
grade into his children's hands.
They were very proficient and intel
ligent. Now. with a few books pur.
chased for small sum, and by the
exercise of little care, a teacher
can do for each child, largely, what
this gentleman did for his. and in
the cultivation of the habit of read
ing, vastly strengthen the work of
the school. l wish to add that such
books as Harper's, Monroe's, Apple
tons, ETC., present excellent meth
DDS ofinstruction as we'll, and will
afford the teacher great help in the
difficult task committed to her.
In the selection of books of high
er grade, the end kept IN view was
not only familiarization with words
learned, and increase of vo-
but it is kept prominently
in mind to strengthen school work
in all other departments of effort,
and, what is of most Importance. to
establish correct taste for reading.
For pupils doing third reader work |
and upward, wide range of excel
lent books, books written by those
whom We regard as masters, are to
be found in all departments of liter
ature. In the selection of these it |
is remembered that these books !
were to reflect, as far as possible, the |
best characteristics Of style and |
thought. The tendency is to pro-
vide for children books too simple |
and too childish. TO the child |
should be presented books which
will elevate him; books toward
which he shall grow, and not books
from which he shall grow. And yet
hey should be adapted TO his age
md maturity, and should be mark
ed by simplicity and written with
animation, lest the child weary of
hem and cease to read. They
should come within the range Of |
rather easy reading. They should
De selected, not only to afford in
but to inspire, to incul-
cate lofty sentiments, resolution,
kindness and patriotism.
Concluded nert ,ccek.)