New National First Reader

The authors of this book believe,--
1st.-- That the Word Method is the most natural and practicable, because words are representatives of objects, actions, etc., while letters, or sounds, in the abstract, convey no meaning to the pupil, and are devoid of interest.
2d.-- That words of ordinary length are as easily learned as short ones, provided they are familiar to the pupil . No teacher will doubt the statement that a pupil will learn the word mamma' as easily as says or eyes.
3d.-- That frequent Reviews are essential to the rapid and thorough advancement of pupils . By this means the words imperfectly learned are again brought to their attention and thoroughly memorized. That these Reviews ought to take up the new words in a different order and arrangement, in order to test the ability of the pupil to recognize them in any situation. That as soon as the vocabulary is large enough they should be written in the form of a new exercise, as on pp. 36, 44, 52, 60, and 68 of this book.
4th.-- That thorough and systematic drill in Spelling is absolutely necessary . That the Reading Reviews should be so constructed as to contain all the new words used in the lessons they were intended to review, and no others, so that they can be used for Written or Dictation Spelling. That the pronunciation of the words in the Spelling Reviews should be indicated by the diacritical marks of Webster, so that they can be used for either Oral Spelling or Phonic Drill.
5th.-- That the Script from which the pupil gets his first and most lasting impressions should be of large size and accurate form , and not of the nondescript character usually found in books of this class. That it should be free from superfluous line and flourish, and yet have grace and beauty. That it should be adapted for both copying and reading.
6th.-- That the lessons should be largely conversational in style, to cultivate flexibility of voice and to break up the dreary monotone so frequently heard among children.