The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-02-03
HOME READING.
written for the Home and School d,


Written for the Home and School Dept.
This is the time OF year that chill
dren on the farm find most leisure
for some pastime. If they have form
ed a reading habit and have the ma
terial at hand they may gain much
useful information.
Some children who read much, read
in such a desultory way that they do
not accomplish the greatest. good.
Parents and teachers should direct
the children In this matter, give them
something useful to read-something
within their mental grasp, and see
that they get no trashy reading.
1t is really wonderful what the
child mind will, in short time, be
able to comprehend. and the interest
that will be taken If proper attention
be given to the direction of reading.
Then, too. the vocabulary Of the child
will be greatly increased, likewise it's
ability to give more magnitude to ex-
preston of thought.
We once heard q theory expounded,
which at the time seemed preposter-
Gus, but which appeals to us now as
being the proper thing. A learned
gentleman said: "Our system of edu-
cation Is all wrong. The child should
be taught reading. spelling. writing
and languages exclusively until about
twelve years Of age. when the reason
ing powers begin to take on some
strength and other subjects may be
taken up.
BY this time the child by this con-
nected language course will have mas
tered vocabulary of considerable
magnitude and will be able to read
other subjects understandingly."
There Is much truth in this. Every
teacher has noticed how much bright
or the pupil who has the reading habit
seems to be In his class work.
1t is not enough that they have an
interest in reading. but this reading
must be we'll directed and it is the
object of this article to throw some
light on this matter.
First see that the child be given
something within it's mental grasp,
not hurrying it on too fast, to harder
words; then have 1t read only what
will give its mind good mental
growth and have it read aloud to the
parents for the double purpose of CIV
ing 1t assistance in proper pronuncia-
ton and confidence in it's own voice
and we might add for the purpose of
discussing the subject matter after
ward to see how much the child has
retained.
Don't modest the child, while read
ing, by constant interruption to pro-
nounce words correctly. This may be
taken up after the child has finished
reading. If there are many words
the child cannot pronounce correctly
1t Is evident the vocabulary is too diff
flcult and easier reading should be
selected.
See that the child has proper light
and commendable attitude while
reading. The course pursued by some
of our leading dailies in their Sunday
issues has resulted in much good for
the young people and should be en-
Outraged. We refer to the plan of
having children write short true
stories Of their own experience for
publication. These stories are eager
ly read by children and being in child
language, are easily comprehended.
When child. unfortunately. the
only books in our home outside of
the few school books. were the Bible
and the Life of Moses. both too COM
prehensiye for the child mind. Books
were a luxury, being too high-priced
for people of moderate means.
Now one can buy most excellent
books at very small cost, so that
every child should have plenty of good
reading.
Every bright boy or girl can easily
earn a nice library now. The Even
ing Times. Grand Forks, is now offer
ing cash commission of Is per cent.
on subscriptions to their daily issue.
No doubt. they will allow the same
on the weekly issue, which is only
one dollar year. In addition to this
they are Offering to the boy who will
get up the largest list before April i,
shetland pony.
Why the girls have not been given
chance on this, we have not learn
ed. Perhaps their chance will come
later. however. in the meantime If
any girl can get subscription we
will see the manager, whom we know
to be very fair-minded gentleman,
and get him to allow you the same
cash commission he allows the boys.
Go ahead, girls!
Now We will furnish any boy or
girl with any book they want, at ac-
tual cost. We can get many good
books, well bound, that retail at $1.0o,
for thirty cents. Postage on single