COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY HENRY CARR PEARSON AND MARY FREDERIKA KIRCHWEY. COPYRIGHT, 1914. IN GREAT BRITAIN. E. P. 13 EDUCATION DEPT. NO VIMU PREFACE THE First Book of Essentials of English is intended for use in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades of the elementary school. The purpose of the book is to promote growth in language power by giving constant practice in the use of language under stimulating conditions. The material provided is designed to engender respect for the mother tongue and sensitiveness to its beauty, and to stimulate the pupils to speak and write the language with freedom, clearness, and correctness. The following points are emphasized : Since children must 1. Oral and Written Work. inevitably learn the language through the spoken word, prominence is given throughout the book to oral work. This is especially true in the early pages, where the oral exercises predominate. Written work is not neglected, however. Short exercises are introduced from the beginning, and they increase in length and variety as the work progresses. Letters, dramatizations, and compositions on live topics are features of this work. 2. Use of Models. Extensive use is made of models selected, some from the masters of English, some from writers of lesser note, and some even from school children's letters and compositions. In the selection of these models, consideration has been given to the interest of the child and to the intrinsic value M69915 |