Part 4 (1/2)

FIRST STEPS IN NUMBER.

_A PRIMARY ARITHMETIC._

FROM PREFACE TO THE TEACHER'S EDITION.

The object of this book is to provide teachers with a record of the work done in number in the primary schools of to-day.

There has been no attempt at novelty in the subject-matter, in the arrangement of work, or in the manner of presentation. The whole is on a constructive basis. Numbers are chief; processes subordinate. What has been found to be more easily understood precedes the more difficult, without respect to its scientific relation. Fractions present no greater difficulty than wholes, so they accompany the teaching of integral numbers from the beginning. The law of dependence has been carefully observed, although at first glance the arrangement may not seem to warrant this a.s.sertion.

The object of every teacher is so to present numbers that the mind of the child may grasp firmly the facts concerning them, and hold these facts tenaciously by the law of a.s.sociation. Success lies in requiring the child to _show_ what he is talking about, and in following the ”step by step” rule. The book ill.u.s.trates these two principles. It abounds in examples which have not before appeared in print, and which are calculated to interest the child from their close connection with his varied experiences. It gives suggestions for versatility of drill, and ill.u.s.trates in detail the teaching of a hundred topics.

It is expected that the work to the number ten will be taken in one year, the work to twenty in another year, and the remainder of the course outlined in the book will be covered in two years more.

=A child's book accompanies this edition, which the child may use with great advantage after he becomes acquainted with figures.=

It is hoped that this book will find a welcome among all persons interested in leading children by easy and sure paths to a knowledge of numbers.

GINN & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS, BOSTON, NEW YORK, AND CHICAGO.

WENTWORTH'S

GRAMMAR SCHOOL ARITHMETIC,