The Moore McGuffey Readers – First Reader
The New Moore-McGuffeys
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Moore-McGuffey First Reader
That Wm. McGuffey's readers have done more than their share of building American character and literacy is generally conceded. Yet it is also widely held that some of their stories are out of step with the times, such as those which suggest that Indians are savages, or that a little boy was "gay" (i.e. joyful), or that God doesn't love little boys who are naughty. Many ecologically-minded citizens are also unhappy with the stories that describe whaling escapades; blood foaming on the billows, etc.
The Moore Editions. These McGuffey Readers omit such stories from the original (1836) versions and substitute more acceptable accounts from the 1838, 1843, and 1853 editions. But the Moore editors went beyond these changes to offer better word lists, questions which require more thought, and -- particularly in Reader IV -- bright, updated introductory remarks to great pieces of literature. Added to these changes are original paintings in color for the first two books and a strong cloth binding, and you have a superior set of readers.
What the McGuffeys really do. Remember that the four standard Wm. McGuffey Readers cover grades one through twelve for most students. Most critics agree that the McGuffey primers and spellers are not of unusual value. In the last century children went to school only about three months each year, and then often only half a day. They did not start until at least age 8 and often 12 or 14. Usually the first McGuffey Reader was used the first year for content and again the second year for elocution (expression). Each reader was thus used for two years, unless the students were late starters, in which event they moved through them much faster.
How to Use the Moore-McGuffeys
Your modern child will benefit from the use of these old-fashioned books if you will precede their use with teaching the letters and their sounds, informally at first. Provide simple phonics materials when your child begins to show an interest in learning about sounds. It is usually not necessary to buy $100 or $200 phonics programs. With a minimum of materials you can introduce your child to letter symbols and what they "say".
Arm yourself with a basic guidebook like Game way to Phonics and Reading. Use newspaper advertisements, cereal boxes or even roadsigns for your "lesson books." You might want to label household items like door, window, stove, etc., in a game-like method with your child. Concentrate on one or two letters for a short period of time, emphasizing the sound of the letter rather than the name. Helpful teaching aids include a mirror for your child to see the placement of his tongue, lips and mouth as he follows your example, large letter cards to place on the wall, a pan of cornmeal for "writing" the letters and small (1") letter cards (lower case) for your child to manipulate into place as you slowly dictate a word, sound-by-sound.
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[...] The Moore Editions. These McGuffey Readers omit such stories from the original (1836) versions and substitute more acceptable accounts from the 1838, 1843, and 1853 editions. But the Moore editors went beyond these changes to offer better word lists, questions which require more thought, and — particularly in Reader IV — bright, updated introductory remarks to great pieces of literature. Added to these changes are original paintings in color for the first two books and a strong cloth binding, and you have a superior set of readers. Read Full Article: The Moore McGuffey Readers – First Reader [...]
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