Noah Webster

                       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
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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The dictionary we use today is a newer version of the one first written by Noah Webster.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.