 Two Versions Could Not be More Different! Well, sometimes you just get lucky and hit the jackpot! While aiding a local schoolhouse to get their new visitor program up and running for the fall, I volunteered to search out some 30 hard cover copies of McGuffey's Eclectic Third Readers to create lessons for their 4th grade "scholars." William H. McGuffey's readers may not have been widely used in New England, being mostly sold in the midwest and the south, but the prospective schoolmarms felt his stories and lessons were perfectly appropriate for their version of living history. Accuracy can be elusive when budgets and time are looming over you. It was the oral reading experience they were seeking, "toeing the line," and reading aloud with expression that seemed more important. They also felt contemporary children could use of few of these lessons! Together we decided that for cost-saving, (since brand new reproductions are expensive in quantity), we would consider good, tight reproduction copies from online pre-owned book sites. So, the search began. Who knew that there would be TWO editions of this title for sale with no details as to content? Two of us owned copies of the REVISED EDITION of 1879, but not the earlier edition from 1836/1837. As a matter of fact, the descriptions on numerous used book sites were vague and photos didn't reflect any helpful information. So we were left wondering which edition we should buy. It wasn't the publication dates of the two editions alone that would aid in the decision, but a terrific video we stumbled upon, right on YouTube. A homeschool mom named Cassie Deputie has used McGuffey very successfully with her own children and has provided us with a comprehensive, well-researched, and articulate 22-minute explanation entitled, "What's the Difference Between the Two McGuffey's?" Exactly what we needed! Her analysis is delivered with confidence and clarity as to which edition she chose to fit her children's needs, which she called the God-centered edition. To save your group the same dilemma we faced, heres's the link to this very interesting talk even if you're not in the market for the Eclectic Readers. It is the story of one man's mission to enhance children's character and remind them of their moral duties through the stories and poems he published for school use in 1837. The 1879 edition is less McGuffey, more secular, and possibly less controversial for today's public school visits. See for yourself...
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 Down on the Farm When we offer our schoolhouse living history experience to visitors, most of us cover lessons in reading, writing and arithmetic, memory gems, spelling, geography, patriotism, and penmanship. Some of us might play up a particular historical context in the life of the schoolhouse. If sufficient time is allotted, we may even mention the rigorous schedules of farm children, their long walks to and from school, and their responsibilities in and out of school that far exceed those of today's students. Here I will offer suggestions of two wonderful resources that bring those farm chores and youthful responsibilities to life. Both are written from the child's perspective and the two authors offer not a mere glimpse, but detailed narratives of what farm chores required of such a young generation. Always Plenty to Do, by Pamela Riney-Kehrberg A Book of Chores as Remembered by a Former Kid, by Bob Artley Presenting a list of "chores" accomplished by children of the 19th century and early 20th century is usually met with shock and awe by our visitors and rightfully so. That kind of work is alien to children of the 21st century. Even the walk to school is met with disbelief. And as Pamela Riney-Kehrberg reminds us, "For most farm children, their help was absolutely essential to their families survival, and families managed because everyone contributed." She also pays homage to the country school in a her chapter, Going to School, reminding us how not all farm children remained on the farm adding that, "with a good education, young people could choose many different jobs." Bob Artley's narrative is like a how-to on farm chores, adding delightful cartoon illustrations that portray the rigors and the humor of completing his jobs. You'll learn HOW to milk a cow and clean a cow barn! Now....If we could just get our "kids" to read these books! In the meantime, they serve as wonderful compendiums of knowledge about the life of farm children that we can share with them (at the very least). Both books are available at AbeBooks.com, alibis.com, and Amazon, at good pre-owned prices.   Webster in Your Classroom "Skool-mas-ter to A-mer-a-ka" by Susan Webb, "The Traveling Schoolmarm" Presented for CSAA's 2021 Virtual County School Conference This entertaining yet informative presentation will introduce Noah Webster, Jr. (1758-1843), the unknown Father of American Scholarship and Education. Webster was an American lexicographer, textbook pioneer, English language spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author. His blue-backed speller books taught five generations of American children how to spell and read. The dictionary we use today is a newer version of the one first written by Noah Webster. He started his dictionary in 1801 and finished in 1828. It gave meanings of more than 70,000 words. What took so long to complete the Webster dictionary? Webster did extensive research. Because the new world of America represented immigrants using diverse languages, Webster learned 26 different languages so he could evaluate the origins and meanings of thousands of words. Born on a New England farm, Webster studied to be a minister then attended Yale College. Not having the means to study law, he became a teacher. His experience as a teacher in a one-room school made him aware that school books were not well-written. In his quest to improve school textbooks, he completed his “Blue-backed Speller” in 1783. The well-known speller helped students learn to read, spell and pronounce words. Webster was a patriot who believed that American subjects and styles should be included in books to make America more independent from England. This presentation will inform through delightful colorful images and authentic textbook lessons. Lessons from the 1867 and 1880 Blue-back Speller and Webster’s first dictionary will also be displayed. *Note: We are offering this program once again in honor of our dear friend and long term CSAA board member Susan Webb, who passed away in 2023. She was the consummate schoolmarm in living history presentations across the country and a friend to all country school enthusiasts. |
