Out of Lascaux

Monroe's Fourth Reader

I have recently become enamoured of old school textbooks. When I say old, I mean old - anything from the 20's or earlier. I am continually amazed at how much children were taught back then as opposed to what they are taught now. My most recent acquisition is from 1872 - Monroe's Fourth Reader published by Cowperthwait & Co., Philadelphia. This Fourth Reader is a 4th year textbook, though how old the students would be could vary. But consider what our 4th graders learn and then read this (from the preface "To Teachers.")

The natural mode of acquiring languag is through the ear. If a child should hear nothing but correct pronunciation, he would pronounce correctly, even though he did not attend school or have special instruction in language for a day. But unfortunately he imitates the defects quite as much as the merits of those to whom he listens. In the course of a few years the habits of the organs of speech become fixed, the ear is less impressible, and the individual retains faults early acquired.

I just can't imagine seeing anything like this in a book printed today, although one written for speech therapists - specialists, mind you - might repeat some of these ideas. Later, I think I'll post a story or two from the reader. See if you know any 4th graders who could comprehend them.

Posted by Alexandra at August 21, 2005 04:46 PM