The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1893-03-16
Department Devoted to the
Teachers of Cobb.
A PAPER READ At NORMAL CLASS.
To What Extent Should American Au-
thors ibe Used i'm the Grammar
Schools?
By PROF. S. V. SANFORD.

In all of our Public Grammar
Schools it is customary to use the
graded readers in their correspond
ing grades: viz. Fourth reader with
fourth grade, fifth reader in fifth
grade, &c.
While the schools generally make
good progress by the use OF the
graded readers, YET after few
months have passed there is some
times seen want of interest mani
tested on the part of the pupils, due
in great measure to the dull mo-
notony of one style of reading. This
may be in some measure avoided or
counteracted by the introduction of
corresponding grade Of reader, by
q different author. But rev m
terest on the part of the pupil can.
not always be- awakened by this
change, as there is q great sameness
in the various readers of the same
grade. This cannot be avoided as
these graded readers are written to
correspond with the supposed ca
pacity of the pupil, and the1author
is consequently restricted to the use
of a certain grade of words which
consequently produces oneness of
style which becomes monotonouz
both to teacher and scholar. The
introduction of more than one reader
in each grade is Objectionable on
another ground, than want ot.varie-f
ty, and that is, that it entails upon
the pupil an additional expense of
books, that is now complained of as
burdensome.
From our own experience in read
ing after reaching mature age we
find ourselves becoming wearied of
any one style Of reading, or on one
line of subjects and we naturally
seek diversity of both style and sub
ject. Much more then should chil>
dren whose minds are active and
are constantly flying to thousand
different things lose interest when
compelled to confne themselves to
one line Of reading such as we find
even in the very best graded readers
Of the present day. 1t is therefore
of Importance both to teacher and
pupil that some plan or method be
adopted that will enable the teacher
to more rapidly advance the pupil,
and the pupil to continue with un-
abated interest in the pursuit of his
lessons in reading.
There is diversity of opinion as
to how this end is to be best attain.
ed. Some schools have adopted the
plan of devoting one hour each week
to reading selections from various
authors, sometimes the teacher will
make the selection from some Ameri-
can or English author and read
aloud to the class himself, comment
ing during the reading upon the
style OF expression, or explaining
the meaning of words to which tho
pupils are not accustomed, and
making the subject simple and plain.
At other times the pupils are allow
ed to make selections for themselves
from any authors they may have at
home, and they read before the class,
After reading the teacher makes his
criticisms on the manner and style
Of the pupils reading and catechises
the pupils upon the meaning OF
words and the proper pronunciation,
&c.
This method l consider very good
as 1t affords quite diversion from
the every day routine of reading
graded lessons. The selections for
reading being made sometimes by
teacher and at other times by pupils
affords an unlimited variety of styles
and subjects.
Other teachers or schools adopt
the plan of selecting some book or
continued story by a standard