Teaching Tips for McGuffey Second Reader
Click here to see a few sample lesson plans for the Second Reader.
The McGuffey Progressive Spelling Book is included in the Lesson Plans for Language Arts from the Heart. The document below explains more about how to use the McGuffey Progressive Speller The Student Created Vocabulary Notebook is introduced in the sample lesson plans for the Second McGuffey Reader. A free template is available for download at the right. This notebook can easily be created in a spiral bound notebook to save the cost of printing. Simply transfer the page headings from the template into your notebook. The information pages can be printed and inserted into your notebook for reference.
The McGuffey Readers are an excellent choice for children's reading material regardless of the Language Arts curriculum you decide to use. The following teaching tips will help you incorporate the Readers into your choice of Language Arts programs.
First Year
General Instructions: 1. The lessons from the McGuffey Readers should be considered as read-a-loud selections where the students read the passage out loud to parents or teachers. Students should practice their oral reading skills with correct pronunciation and articulation. The reading selections in the McGuffey Readers are short. They should be able to practice reading them several times during the week to improve their oratory and articulation skills. 2. Allow the child's understanding and skill to determine the pace. Generally, you will be able to complete one lesson per week. A child may be reading from the McGuffey Second Reader for more than two years. The schedule shown above is an approximation only. 4. By following a pace of one lesson per week, students should have time to add other books at their level. Visit the library often. Encourage students to find books at their reading level that they will enjoy reading out loud or silently to themselves. 5. Each lesson has a list of words at the end of the lesson. Consider using these words as vocabulary and spelling words for the week. 5. Students may consider how they can practice the positive characteristics that are depicted in each lesson. The list of topics and themes to the right identifies these characteristics. 6. Click here to see a few sample lesson plans for the Second Reader. |
Vocabulary Notebook TemplateTopic and ThemesThe topics and themes for these lessons are groups into categories of "heart potential". Every human heart has the potential for development and growth so that ultimately it can experience the greatest joy and respond with pure love and understanding to others. While students read the lessons in the Second reader, they may also awaken and nourish these attributes within their own hearts.
Lessons 1-4: Learning and Growth Lessons 5-7: Choice and Accountability Lessons 8-11: Inspired Enthusiasm Lessons 12-14: Constructive Thought and Action Lessons 15-19: Kindness and Mercy Lessons 20-21: Strength and Endurance Lessons 22-24: Diligence and Commitment Lessons 25-27: Humble and Steadfast Lessons 28-30: Wisdom and Reverence Lessons 31-33: Prudence and Thanksgiving Lessons 34-36: Diligent learning Lessons 37-40: A Heart that is Good and Kind Lessons 41-43: Prudent Caution and Objectivity Lessons 44-47: Pilgrims and Wanderers Lessons 48-50: Empathy and Concern Lessons 51-55: The Creation: Evidence of God's Love Lessons 56-57: Cheerful Courage Lessons 58-59, 62-63: Inspired Creativity Lessons 61-62, 64-65: Critical Thinking and Descriptive Writing Lessons 66-69: Reservoirs of compassion, humility, and gratitude Lessons 70-72: Good Actions Follow Good Desires Lessons 73-76: Faithful and Repentant Lessons 77-78: Exploration and Settlement Lessons 79-82: Regeneration and Progress Lessons 83-85: Gratitude and Reverence |