TRUE EDUCATION READERS.
By Clifford Russell
An interesting letter from the Educational Secretary of the West Michigan Conference: "I wish to say a few words in behalf of our new readers, and the placing of them in our schools just as soon as they can to be used in the class work already organized. "I recently wrote a personal letter to each of our teachers regarding this series of readers; but, as it is the parents who have the books to purchase, I take this means of reaching as many of the latter class as possible. "It would be far beyond the limit of this article to attempt to enumerate all the merits of this series of books. I will mention but a few. I consider the method employed the most rational of any devised—the phonetic system coupled with the word method. The books are carefully graded, but few new words being introduced in each succeeding lesson—a fact which will appeal to the most of our teachers. The subject matter has been most carefully chosen and nothing has been introduced but what is true and pure and ennobling. The matter has been chosen, also, especially in the lower grades, with a view of correlating with the reading, the elements of physiology, geography, nature study, and even number work to a certain extent, thus avoiding the necessity of organizing separate classes for these subjects in the lower grades. The books are printed upon an excellent quality of book paper, in very large, clear type, and substantially bound in buckram. "The complete series consists of seven numbers—one for each grade. Numbers 1 and 2 are off the press, and orders for them may be sent to this office at any time. Price, 75 cents each, post-paid. Numbers 3 and 5 will soon be ready. The other numbers of the series will probably not be ready before next summer. "Some may think the price is high; but when you consider the comparative size of the edition, and the fact that the phonics are made so prominent thru the entire set, including the marking of silent letters, all of which requires a special cutting of the type, the matter of the price is fully explained. "I trust that all will see the importance of this matter of furnishing their children with uniform books, and thus cooperate with us in our work of endeavoring to secure uniformity and system in all our schools. CLIFFORD RUSSELL."