Why Johnnie's Great-Great Grandpa Could Read

McGuffey's Reader

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 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