I did not know you could fall in love with educational books but it turns out YOU CAN! If you are reading this post you've probably already began your own love affair with the McGuffey Readers so I don't have to explain why I was thrilled by the wholesome reading of the revised editions. As a Robinson Curriculum (RC) family I have access to the Revised Eclectic Series for printing. I knew nothing about them until I opened up that first pdf file and I fell hard. So hard I ordered a used set off eBay and then later ordered a new set from Mott Media of the Original Eclectic Series. Here is the What, When, How of our reading and writing curriculum using McGuffey Readers and RC related resources.
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As an RC family I was attempting to work the RC book list (which includes the revised readers) and also to teach my child to read. RC spaces the readers throughout the core book list. I made an alteration to our reading path as I discuss here. I choose to keep the McGuffey readers for implicit reading instruction for my student until after the 4th grade. Then they just read them as they come up in the order of the RC book list. You can read a bit more about our Language Arts path here.
What: I began using the McGuffey Revised Editions starting with the Primer and we used it daily and progressed through a lesson or two a day. Again with the First Reader, we used the same book each day and even the beginning of the Second. So, why did I order the original set too? My student was going through the Revised Editions too fast. He was going to hit a wall with understanding the vocabulary even if he could "read" the words. The solution was to add in the Originals.
When: At first I was alternating each day but now I add another day of reading one of the Arthur Scott Bailey books. He was needing a bit more variety. With the six day learning week of RC this means he does each book twice a week. Here is my real life planner for next week. You can see I leave the lesson (noted L. ) blank so I can record what we end up doing each day. I'll discuss in more detail when we discuss the How.
So far we've covered the What (McGuffey Readers: Original & Revised Editions and Arthur Scott Bailey Tales) and When (alternating between the three). How do I do a lesson with each resource?
How: McGuffey Eclectic Readers Revised Editions Days
Begin by having the student read the word list at the beginning of the lesson. Explain any symbols like syllables or pronunciation notations. Correct any misreads.
I run my finger or pencil under each word of the passage to keep my student's eyes tracking correctly. If a word is misread I stop and tap my finger or pencil to indicate to try the word again. If I need to give them the word I will, with any explanation needed to understand (silent letters, soft c, vowel teams etc.).
Once the student has finished the passage I read it to them. I say, "follow with your eyes and ears." Again, I track under each word with my finger or pencil and read smoothly for them to hear and follow along.
I then have the student try to read it again, more smoothly but I don't push it if they are over it. I let them hold the book on their own so they are responsible for their own line tracking. Sometimes we may shorten a lesson to a paragraph or two and come back to the rest the next time.
I ask a few comprehension questions or ask them to tell me what happened in the reading.
I mark what lesson we covered and determine if it's mastered or not. If not I make a note on the lesson planner to have them do the same passage the next time that book comes up in the rotation.
Writing component: McGuffey Copywork, minimum of two lines. I match the copywork to the reader my student is currently on.
I check each line for indentation, punctuation, handwriting, and spelling. I put a star under each correct spacing, punctuation, and word in my "correct color". I correct any mistakes with my "wrong color." In this way they are probably seeing more "correct color." If the work is unacceptable I just have them erase and redo what needs redoing.
How: McGuffey Original Edition Readers Days
The student starts by reading the chapter number and title. I then guide the reading with my finger or pencil. If a word is misread I stop and tap my finger or pencil to indicate to try the word again. If I need to give them the word I will, with any explanation needed to understand (silent letters, soft c, vowel teams etc.).
The student reads the word list at the end of the lesson. Correct any misreads.
I read the entire passage to them. I say, "follow with your eyes and ears." Again, I track under each word with my finger or pencil and read smoothly for them to hear and follow along.
The student attempts to read the passage again with less mistakes and more smoothly. I let them hold the book on their own so they are responsible for their own line tracking.
I ask a few comprehension questions or ask them to tell me what happened in the reading.
I mark what lesson we covered and determine if it's mastered or not. If not I make a note on the lesson planner to have them do the same passage the next time that book comes up in the rotation.
Writing component: Handwriting practice. Any will do. There is some within RC. I like to teach some stuff like Number Words, Colors, Days of the Week, Months of the Year and Jokes & Riddles with our handwriting practice time.
Check the writing. Rewrite what is necessary.
How: Arthur Scott Baily Tales
We read one chapter of the book together. This day is more relaxed. I'm focusing on our enjoying the story. Reading is fun! I still scroll my finger or pencil beneath each line but if he gets stuck on a word I just fill it in for him quickly and keep going.
He does his Comic Book Style Chapter Summary. I ask him to tell me what important characters we met or what the most important thing that happened was.
I tell him, "well done!"
I also do spelling, as a component of writing, on it's own. I write about this extensively here. Lessons are short and to the point and we are all enjoying the material. I hope this can be helpful or inspirational or confirming for you if you too are loving the McGuffey Readers. Happy reading everyone!
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