Reading for Training Classes

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906. Excerpt: ... have been considered under Management of Breath. In speaking it is better to change the position occasionally and thus avoid an appearance of stiffness. In reading the book is usually held in the left hand so that the leaves may be turned with the right. When no book is used in reading, the hands are in the best position when hanging easily at the sides, except when needed for gesture, although other positions are often seen. Allow no leaning on desks, standing on, one foot, knee of other leg on seat or chair, a swaying of the body or any awkward position. II. Material (a) Choice for reading. 1. Extensive Reading--Quantity It is not the number of books read, but the quality of the books that should receive a teacher's careful attention. G. Stanley Hall says, "Widely read young people are alwayt feebly educated." Noone at the age of fifteen or sixteen can have mentally digested many books. Such men as Webster and Lincoln had but few books in their boyhood days, but these were thoroughly read and studied, and many passages were committed to memory. About fifteen minutes twice a day should be devoted to reading in the primary grades, twenty minutes a least once a day in the intermediate grades, and thirty minutes once a day in the grammar grades. Some hold that above the 4th reader grade no graded reader need be choseu, but pupils should begin the study of literary productions and as far as possible whole pieces should be chosen. Theoretically this is an excellent plan, but few district schools have the facilities for carrying it out. It is very difficult if not in many cases impossible to secure the proper selections; therefore it seems that for a few years longer at least we must follow the old plan and choose the best graded readers for ail grades. In add...