Benjamin Franklin : $b Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notesFranklin, Benjamin
General
Benjamin Franklin : $b Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notes
Franklin, Benjamin
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
Let the first Class learn the _English Grammar_ Rules, and at the same
time let particular Care be taken to improve them in _Orthography_.
Perhaps the latter is best done by _Pairing_ the Scholars, two of those
nearest equal in their Spelling to be put together; let these strive for
Victory, each propounding Ten Words every Day to the other to be spelt.
He that spells truly most of the other's Words, is Victor for that Day;
he that is Victor most Days in a Month, to obtain a Prize, a pretty neat
Book of some Kind useful in their future Studies. This Method fixes the
Attention of Children extreamly to the Orthography of Words, and makes
them good Spellers very early. 'Tis a Shame for a Man to be so ignorant
of this little Art, in his own Language, as to be perpetually
confounding Words of like Sound and different Significations; the
Consciousness of which Defect, makes some Men, otherwise of good
Learning and Understanding, averse to Writing even a common Letter.
Let the Pieces read by the Scholars in this Class be short, such as
_Croxall's_ Fables,[35] and little Stories. In giving the Lesson, let it
be read to them; let the Meaning of the difficult Words in it be
explained to them, and let them con it over by themselves before they
are called to read to the Master, or Usher; who is to take particular
Care that they do not read too fast, and that they duly observe the
Stops and Pauses. A Vocabulary of the most usual difficult Words might
be formed for their Use, with Explanations; and they might daily get a
few of those Words and Explanations by Heart, which would a little
exercise their Memories; or at least they might write a Number of them
in a small Book for the Purpose, which would help to fix the Meaning of
those Words in their Minds, and at the same Time furnish every one with
a little Dictionary for his future Use.
THE SECOND CLASS
to be taught Reading with Attention, and with proper Modulations of the
Voice, according to the Sentiments and Subject.
Some short Pieces, not exceeding the Length of a _Spectator_, to be
given this Class as Lessons (and some of the easier _Spectators_ would
be very suitable for the Purpose.) These Lessons might be given over
Night as Tasks, the Scholars to study them against the Morning. Let it
then be required of them to give an Account, first of the Parts of
Speech, and Construction of one or two Sentences; this will oblige them
to recur frequently to their Grammar, and fix its principal Rules in
their Memory. Next of the _Intention_ of the Writer, or the _Scope_ of
the Piece; the Meaning of each Sentence, and of every uncommon Word.
This would early acquaint them with the Meaning and Force of Words, and
give them that most necessary Habit, of Reading with Attention.
The Master then to read the Piece with the proper Modulations of Voice,
due Emphasis, and suitable Action, where Action is required; and put the
Youth on imitating his Manner.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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