Produced by Don Kostuch

[Transcriber's Notes:

Welcome to the schoolroom of 1900. The moral tone is plain. "She is kind to the old blind man."

The exercises are still suitable, and perhaps more helpful than some contemporary alternatives. Much is left to the teacher. Explanations given in the text are enough to get started teaching a child to read and write. Counting in Roman numerals is included as a bonus in the form of lesson numbers.

Each lesson begins with vocabulary words, followed by the description of a picture (if any) related to the lesson's reading exercise. The lesson then consists of printed text for reading and sometimes script (handwriting) for reading or copying.

Don Kostuch ]

ECLECTIC EDUCATIONAL SERIES.

MCGUFFEY'S [Registered]

First

ECLECTIC READER

Revised Edition

McGuffey Edition and Colophon are Trademarks of

JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
NEW YORK - CHICHESTER - WEINHEIM - BRISBANE - SINGAPORE - TORONTO

SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS.

This First Reader may be used in teaching reading by any of the methods in common use; but it is especially adapted to the Phonic Method, the Word Method, or a combination of the two.

I. Phonic Method.—First teach the elementary sounds and their representative, the letters marked with diacriticals, as they occur in the lessons; then, the formation of words by the combination of these sounds. For instance, teach the pupil to identify the characters a, o, n, d, g, r, and th, in Lesson I, as the representatives of certain elementary sounds; then teach him to form the words at the head of the lesson, then other words, as nag, on, and, etc. Pursue a similar course in teaching the succeeding lessons. Having read a few lessons in this manner, begin to teach the names of the letters and the spelling of words, and require the groups, "a man," "the man," "a pen," to be read as a good reader would pronounce single words.

II. When one of the letters in the combinations ou or ow, is marked in the words at the head of the reading exercises, the other is silent. If neither is marked, the two letters represent a diphthong. All other unmarked vowels in the vocabularies, when in combination, are silent letters. In slate or blackboard work, the silent letters may be canceled.

III. Word Method.—Teach the pupil to identify at sight the words placed at the head of the reading exercises, and to read these exercises without hesitation. Having read a few lessons, begin to teach the names of the letters and the spelling of words.

IV. Word Method and Phonic Method Combined.—Teach the pupil to identify words and read sentences, as above. Having read a few lessons in this manner, begin to use the Phonic Method, combining it with the Word Method, by first teaching the words in each lesson as words; then the elementary sounds, the names of the letters, and spelling.

V. Teach the pupil to use script letters in writing, when teaching the names of the letters and the spelling of words.

Copyright, 1879, by Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co.
Copyright, 1896, by American Book Company.
Copyright, 1907 and 1920, by H.H. Vail.

EP486

Preface

In presenting McGuffeys Revised First Reader to the public, attention is invited to the following features:

1. Words of only two or three letters are used in the first lessons. Longer and more difficult ones are gradually introduced as the pupil gains aptness in the mastery of words.

2. A proper gradation has been carefully preserved. All new words are placed at the head of each lesson, to be learned before the lesson is read. Their number in the early lessons is very small, thus making the first steps easy. All words in these vocabularies are used in the text immediately following.

3. Carefully engraved script exercises are introduced for a double purpose. These should be used to teach the reading of script; and may also serve as copies in slate work.

4. The illustrations have been designed and engraved specially for the lessons in which they occur. Many of the engravings will serve admirably as the basis for oral lessons in language.

5. The type is large, strong, and distinct.

The credit for this revision is almost wholly due to the friends of McGuffeys Readers,—eminent teachers and scholars, who have contributed suggestions and criticisms gained from their daily work in the schoolroom.

Cincinnati, June, 1879.

(iii)

THE ALPHABET.

A a N n
B b O o
C c P p
D d Q q
E e R r
F f S s
G g T t
H h U u
I i V v
J j W w
K k X x
L l Y y
M m Z z

[Illustration:

Script Alphabet

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S Y U V W X Y Z

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

SCRIPT FIGURES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 ]

[Illustration: Dog]

McGuffey's FIRST READER.

LESSON I.

dog the ran

a o n d g r th

[Illustration: Running dog.]

The dog.

The dog ran.

LESSON II.

cat mat is on

c t i m s

[Illustration: Cat]

The cat. The mat.

Is the cat on the mat?

The cat is on the mat.

LESSON III.

it his pen hand

a in has man

p h e

[Illustration: Man with glasses writing at a desk.]

The man. A pen.

The man has a pen.

Is the pen in his hand?

It is in his hand.

LESSON IV.

hen fat rat box big run from can

f b x u

[Illustration: Hen watching a rat.]

A fat hen. A big rat.

The fat hen is on the box.

The rat ran from the box.

Can the hen run?

LESSON V.

Rab Ann hat catch see

e ch s

[Illustration: Girl chasing dog with hat in his mouth.]

See Rab! See Ann!

See! Rab has the hat.

Can Ann catch Rab?

LESSON VI.

she pat too now let me

sh oo ow l

[Illustration: Girl with dog]

Ann can catch Rab.

See! She has the hat.

Now Ann can pat Rab.

Let me pat Rab, too.

LESSON VII.

Ned eggs black left fed nest them get will

a black hen the nest

w ck

[Illustration: Boy feeding a hen.]

Ned has fed the hen.

She is a black hen.

She has left the nest.

See the eggs in the nest!

Will the hen let Ned get them?

LESSON VIII.

head he Nat come with and o

[Illustration: Three children, boy seated, boy standing with large top hat, followed by girl adjusting the hat.]

Let me get the black hat. Now Ned has it on his head, and he is a big man.

Come, Nat, see the big man with his black hat.

LESSON IX. REVIEW.

pat catch has left hat can

black eggs Rab Ann fed get

Ned is on the box. He has a pen in his hand. A big rat is in the box.
Can the dog catch the rat?

Come with me, Ann, and see the man with a black hat on his head.

The fat hen has left the nest. Run, Nat, and get the eggs.

SLATE WORK.

[Illustration: Script Exercise:

The cat ran. Ann ran.

The man has a hat. ]

LESSON X.

Nell some pan him yes do you have

I to i y v o

[Illustration: Girl holding eggs.]

Do you see Nell?

Yes; she has a pan with some eggs in it.

Let me have the pan and the eggs, will you, Nell?

Has the black hen left the nest?

I will now run to catch Rab. Will you run, too?

LESSON XI.

O whip Ben up still sit if stand Jip

o wh j

[Illustration: Girl, boy, goat pulling cart.]

O Ben! let me get in, will you?

Yes, if you will sit still.

Stand still, Jip, and let Ann get in.

Now, Ben, hand me the whip.

Get up, Jip!

1,2.

LESSON XII.

Kitty nice sweet sing just hang

cage then song pet put not

k g c a y ng u

[Illustration: Girl sitting at window with bird cage.]

Kitty has a nice pet. It can sing a sweet song.

She has just fed it.

She will now put it in the cage, and hang the cage up. Then the cat can not catch it.

LESSON XIII.

Tom top Kit'ty's at back

look good doll think spot

th n oo

[Illustration: Boy and Dog]

Look at Tom and his dog. The dog has a black spot on his back. Do you think he is a good dog?

Tom has a big top, too. It is on the box with Kitty's doll.

LESSON XIV.

sun we how pond stop for

go swim her us hot duck

e o

[Illustration: Man and girl standing by a pond.]

The sun is up. The man has fed the black hen and the fat duck.

Now the duck will swim in the pond. The hen has run to her nest.

Let us not stop at the pond now, for it is hot.

See how still it is! We will go to see Tom and his top.

LESSON XV.

John rock set jump fun must

may un'der skip bank but touch

O John! the sun has just set. It is not hot, now.

Let us run and jump. I think it is fun to run, and skip, and jump.

See the duck on the pond! Her nest is up on the bank, under the rock.

We must not touch the nest, but we may look at it

LESSON XVI. REVIEW.

The sun has set, and the pond is still.

John, Ned, Ben, Tom, and Nell stand on the bank, and look at the duck.

The dog with a black spot on his back, is with Tom. See! Tom has his hat in his hand. He has left his big top on the box.

Kitty's doll is on the rock. Nell has put her pet in the cage. It will sing a sweet song. The duck has her nest under the rock.

It is not hot now. Let us run, and skip, and jump on the bank. Do you not think it is fun?

LESSON XVII.

are ink moss this tub up set' a

SLATE WORK

[Illustration: Script Exercise: The pen and the ink are on the stand. Is this a good pen? The moss is on the rock. This duck can swim. Ben upset the tub. ]

LESSON XVIII.

nut did shut shall lost fox

men met step in'to hunt mud

SLATE WORK.

[Illustration: Script Exercise:

Will the dog hunt a fox? Ben lost his hat. Shall I shut the box? I met him on the step. Did you jump into the mud? I have a nut. I met the man. ]

LESSON XIX.

Kate old no grass dear likes

be drink milk cow out gives

a

[Illustration: Cow standing in pond.]

O Kate! the old cow is in the pond: see her drink! Will she not come out to get some grass?

No, John, she likes to be in the pond. See how still she stands!

The dear old cow gives us sweet milk to drink.

LESSON XX.

mam ma' large as pa pa arms ride

far barn both Prince trot your

[Illustration: Man and girl riding a horse.]

Papa, will you let me ride with you on Prince? I will sit still in your arms.

See, mamma! We are both on Prince. How large he is!

Get up, Prince! You are not too fat to trot as far as the barn.

LESSON XXI.

of that toss fall well Fan'ny

ball wall was pret'ty(prit-) done what

a a

[Illustration: Two girls standing in meadow play with a ball.]

O Fanny, what a pretty ball!

Yes; can you catch it, Ann?

Toss it to me, and see. I will not let it fall.

That was well done

Now, Fanny, toss it to the top of the wall, if you can.

LESSON XXII.

had went call might flag near swam swing

[Illustration: Woman and two girls standing by gate in fence.]

Did you call us, mamma?

I went with Tom to the pond. I had my doll, and Tom had his flag.

The fat duck swam to the bank, and we fed her. Did you think we might fall into the pond?

We did not go too near, did we, Tom?

May we go to the swing, now, mamma?

LESSON XXIII.

here band hear horse play they

pass where front fine hope comes

e e

[Illustration: Two boy standing on porch as band passes in street.]

Here comes the band! Shall we call mamma and Fanny to see it?

Let us stand still, and hear the men play as they pass.

I hope they will stop here and play for us.

See the large man in front of the band, with his big hat. What has he in his hand? How fine he looks!

Look, too, at the man on that fine horse.

If the men do not stop, let us go with them and see where they go.

LESSON XXIV.

Bess hap'py make cart tent woods

lit'tle ver'y bed Rob'ert gone draw

[Illustration: Boy and girl with goat-cart in woods; tent in background.]

Bess and Robert are very happy; papa and mamma have gone to the woods with them.

Robert has a big tent and a flag, and Bess has a little bed for her doll.

Jip is with them. Robert will make him draw Bess and her doll in the cart.

LESSON XXV.

James Ma'ry made sang my lay

sport spade lap dig doll's sand

said (sed) y

[Illustration: Boy talking to girl sitting on steps with a doll.]

"Kate, will you play with me?" said James. "We will dig in the sand with this little spade. That will be fine sport."

"Not now James" said Kate; "for I must make my doll's bed. Get Mary to play with you."

James went to get Mary to play with him. Then Kate made the doll's bed.

She sang a song to her doll, and the doll lay very still in her lap.

Did the doll hear Kate sing?

LESSON XXVI.

its shade brook picks all

by help stones glad soft

[Illustration: Two girls and boy in the woods.]

Kate has left her doll in its little bed, and has gone to play with Mary and James. They are all in the shade, now, by the brook.

James digs in the soft sand with his spade, and Mary picks up little stones and puts them in her lap.

James and Mary are glad to see Kate. She will help them pick up stones and dig, by the little brook.

1,3.

LESSON XXVII. REVIEW

"What shall we do?" said Fanny to John. "I do not like to sit still. Shall we hunt for eggs in the barn?"

"No" said John; "I like to play on the grass. Will not papa let us catch
Prince, and go to the big woods?"

"We can put the tent in the cart, and go to some nice spot where the grass is soft and sweet."

"That will be fine," said Fanny. "I will get my doll, and give her a ride with us."

"Yes," said John, "and we will get mamma to go, too. She will hang up a swing for us in the shade."

LESSON XXVIII.

peep while take sleep tuck safe

oh wet feet chick can't feels wing

[Illustration: Girl kneeling by small chicken coop.]

Peep, peep! Where have you gone, little chick? Are you lost? Can't you get back to the hen?

Oh, here you are! I will take you back. Here, hen, take this little chick under your wing.

Now, chick, tuck your little, wet feet under you, and go to sleep for a while.

Peep, peep! How safe the little chick feels now!

LESSON XXIX.

wind time there fence kite high

eyes bright flies why day shines

[Illustration: Boys playing with kite. A dog stand by the boys.]

This is a fine day. The sun shines bright. There is a good wind, and my kite flies high. I can just see it.

The sun shines in my eyes; I will stand in the shade of this high fence.

Why, here comes my dog! He was under the cart. Did you see him there?

What a good time we have had! Are you not glad that we did not go to the woods with John?

SLATE WORK.

[Illustration: Script Exercise:

The pond is still. How it shines in the hot sun! Let us go into the woods where we can sit in the shade. ]

LESSON XXX.

wish float tie know

rope boat try shore

give pole don't push

drag won't oar fun'ny

[Illustration: Two girls standing by fence, one is pulling a small wooden tub with a rope along the path.]

"Kate, I wish we had a boat to put the dolls in. Don't you?"

"I know what we can do. We can get the little tub, and tie a rope to it, and drag it to the pond. This will float with the dolls in it, and we can get a pole to push it from the shore."

"What a funny boat, Kate! A tub for a boat, and a pole for an oar! Won't it upset?"

"We can try it, Nell, and see."

"Well you get the tub, and I will get a pole and a rope. We will put both dolls in the tub, and give them a ride."

SLATE WORK.

[Illustration: Script Exercise:

The dolls had a nice ride to the pond. A soft wind made the tub float out. Nell let the pole fall on the tub, and upset it. ]

LESSON XXXI.

bound Rose called got drown found brave

came Pon'to jumped mouth a round' brought wa'ter

[Illustration: Two girls standing by pond. One girl is using a pole to push a small wooden tub containing dolls. ]

"Here, Ponto! Here, Ponto!" Kate called to her dog. "Come, and get the dolls out of the pond."

Rose went under, but she did not drown. Bess was still on the top of the water.

Ponto came with a bound, and jumped into the pond. He swam around, and got
Bess in his mouth, and brought her to the shore.

Ponto then found Rose, and brought her out, too.

Kate said, "Good, old Ponto! Brave old dog!"

What do you think of Ponto?

LESSON XXXII.

June Lu'cy's air kind trees sing'ing blue

when pure says (sez) sky pic'nic u a

[Illustration: Woman and girl sitting under a tree.]