• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Nav Social Menu

Nicki Truesdell

Homeschooling and Christian Parenting

  • Homepage
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Homeschool 101
  • Anyone Can Homeschool by Nicki Truesdell
  • Mystery of History (How we use it)
  • Subscribe by Text or Email
  • Contact Nicki
  • Homeschooling in Texas
  • Events
  • Book Lists
Easy schooling with the McGuffey's Eclectic Primer
Home | homeschool | Easy schooling with the McGuffey Primer

Easy schooling with the McGuffey Primer

homeschool, Homeschool 101, Homeschool Curriculum, Homeschool Methods

I am all about simplifying home education, and one of my favorite resources for this is the McGuffey readers. My youngest is currently working her way through the McGuffey’s Pictorial Eclectic Primer. It’s a feast for the eyes, being so old-fashioned, but it also provides a wealth of language arts instruction and practice. I thought you might like to know how we accomplish some easy schooling with the McGuffey Primer.

When my students have begun to read words and sentences, they are ready to practice reading with the Primer. With my five kids, I’ve used two different reading curricula: A Beka reading program and Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

Easy schooling with the McGuffey Primer

Word Practice

Almost every lesson introduces a list of words to practice, followed by a short story that integrates those words. I usually have my daughter read through the list twice. The first time is for introduction and practice, and the second time is for fluency and speed. By the time she reads the short story, she is unlikely to be hampered by seeing these new words.

Reading Practice

In the short stories (typically one to three paragraphs), I find that my daughter is able to read aloud pretty smoothly. The word practice preparation is very helpful. Most stories are also accompanied by an illustration. I have noticed that she studies the picture before reading the story.

The fun part is that there are sometimes some quaint little phrases, because it’s an old-fashioned book. So besides reading practice, a student will learn a few “new” things.

Spelling Practice

I do not use a formal spelling program for any of my kids. In my 20 years of homeschooling, I have learned that constant reading and writing, with a bit of correction here and there, are the best foundation for spelling. With the McGuffey Eclectic Primer, I use the word lists as spelling copywork for my daughter.

After she reads the list and the story, I give her a blank piece of notebook paper and call the list words to her aloud, just like a spelling test. Since these are words that that she has just read three or four times, it’s a great way to review.

Once a child has learned to write, I have learned that they need practice with speed and neatness. Practicing this word list allows for both. Now she has seen them, thought about them, and written them.

Copywork

I love the use of copywork for all Language Arts skills, and the earlier they learn, the better. In the case of the Eclectic Primer, not only do I use the word list for spelling copywork, but I will dictate one or two sentences from the story to my daughter for her to write. This gives her a chance to write neatly, spell correctly, and form a proper sentence with the correct capitalization and punctuation. You can read all about how we use copywork for Lanague Arts here.

Besides the three main aspects of Language Arts, there are other small benefits in the McGuffey Primer. New words allow for discussion of their definitions (vocabulary) and the sweet moral stories used for reading practice are reminiscent of schooling a century ago.

Can you see how much can be accomplished in this one little book? I believe in helping parents homeschool simply, and the McGuffey Primer is a wonderful way to accomplish this.

Easy schooling with the McGuffey Primer

The McGuffey readers were one of two series of textbooks used in educating children in those first days of America. The other was the New England Primer. Keep in mind, grades K-12 had not been invented; when a student completed all of the readers, they were finished with school. It typically took about half the time to educate the children that it does in modern times.

Yet, some great minds were born in the schools that used these books.

“McGuffey Readers played an important role in American history. Most prominent post-Civil War and turn-of-the-Century American figures credited their initial success in learning to the Readers, which provided a guide to what was occurring in the public school movement and in American culture during the 19th century.” (source)

Related Posts:

  • Free Phonics Resources
  • McGuffey 1848 High School Lesson

Pin it!

Nicki Truesdell is a 2nd-generation homeschooler and mother to 5. She is a homemaker at heart, and loves books, freedom, history and quilts, and blogs about all of these at nickitruesdell.com. She believes that homeschooling can be relaxed and that history is fun, and both can be done with minimal cost or stress, no matter your family’s circumstances. Nicki is a member of the Texas Home Educators Board of Directors. You can follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.  

Share this:

  • Share
  • Print
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Related

January 6, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Get my book!

Anyone Can Homeschool by Nicki Truesdell

Shop my history series

Knowledge Keepers Bookstore
Previous Post: « Christian education
Next Post: Why you should stop saying “You can’t pour from an empty cup” »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Nicki on Instagram

I have two very different sons. One has been an extrovert since he could talk. The other has been an introvert for just as long. The thing about home education is that it doesn’t have to happen at home. What it really means is “not public school.” Not stuck in a classroom all day. Not confined to a government calendar. Not a slave to the system. 23 years ago I helped my aunt Kari start a homeschool co-op. At that time, I had one child and she was three years old. If you have a child that struggles to read, read to them. Read aloud every day. That’s the best advice I can give. New year. New house. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION: How do I homeschool with babies and toddlers in the mix?? Don’t let people tell you that “you can’t shelter your children.” Yes, you can. And you absolutely should. Mothers have a crucial role to play in society, although their job doesn’t always feel very “crucial.” Wiping baby faces, repeating instructions, settling squabbles, and making food is repetitive and doesn’t always seem important. For 2023, I’ll be preaching the same ol’ message that I can’t stop saying: “education is discipleship,” and “you can do it” homeschooling encouragement. Not gonna make the message easier to swallow when the world is attacking children on a grander scale every day. I’m also not going to tell you that homeschooling is a breeze, but I will keep saying that it’s worth every minute.

Nicki on Pinterest

Nicki on Facebook

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Terms and Conditions

Copyright 2009-2021 Nicki Truesdell