McGuffey's Second Eclectic Reader

By William Holmes McGuffey and Wm. H. McGuffey

Book Overview

Rediscover the foundational principles of reading education with "McGuffey's Second Eclectic Reader." Authored by William Holmes McGuffey, this classic reader offers a glimpse into the educational practices of a bygone era. Designed to cultivate language skills through engaging texts, this volume emphasizes phonics and comprehension.

A cornerstone of 19th-century elementary education, the "Second Eclectic Reader" provided students with essential lessons in language arts. This carefully prepared print edition allows readers to experience the materials that shaped generations of learners. Explore the selections that fostered literacy and critical thinking, offering a window into the history of teaching and learning. A valuable resource for educators and anyone interested in the evolution of reading instruction.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1022997572
• ISBN13: 9781022997578
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 104 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Stands the test of time

My grandparents learned to read from these primers nearly a century ago. I learned from them, and so far three of my nieces have as well.

150 years of parents can't be wrong!

At the end of my daughter's kindergarten class (she was 5) I was told by her school that she would probably start reading in first grade. Half way through first grade, I was told she was a little slow and not picking up things as fast as she could. At this point, I stepped in and taught my daughter to read using "Noah Websters' Blue Backed Speller" and "McGuffey's Readers." "McGuffey's Readers" are a delight. I read the books cover to cover and loved every single story contained therein. These two literary tools [the Readers and the BB Speller] were how America learned to read for 150 years. And after *wasting* 18 months listening to reading "specialists" in public schools, *I* taught my daughter to read in under 6 weeks. She is now a sophomore in college (honor student!) and remains a prolific reader. I *highly* recommend McGuffey's Readers for any parent who wants to teach their child to read. It is a book you will keep forever, and it is something to be handed down to your children and their children and on and on. Speaking as an architectural historian, these wonderful books also provide a fascinating keyhole peak into an earlier time!

Not just reading lessons!

The McGuffey's Revised Second and Third Eclectic Readers combine a number of lessons into one. They can be used for reading comprehension or as copybooks for improving handwriting skills. The numerous poems can be used to improve memory skills. Furthermore, many of the lessons are focused on nature subjects such as birds, insects, farm animals, etc., and will supplement a natural history text for teaching early scientific observation. Most importantly, all the lessons are moral and help to preserve childhood innocence, something that is sorely needed in today's world. Filled with beautiful illustrations, these hardcover textbooks are an outstanding value.