YOUNG PEOPLE'S READING CIRCLE OF INDIANA, [Organized by the State Teachers' Association, 1887.] BOARD OF DIRECTORS. R. G. BOONE, Professor of Pedagogy, Indiana University. EMMA MONT MCRAE, Professor of English Literature, Purdue University. JOSEPH CARHART, Professor of English Literature, De Pauw University. L. H. JONES, Superintendent Indianapolis Schools. HARVEY M. LA FOLLETTE, Superintendent Public Instruction. D. M. GEETING, Deputy Superintendent Public Instruction. OFFICERS OF THE BOARD. Professor R. G. BOONE, Bloomington, President. TO TEACHERS: "What to read is a far more important question than how to read. When a child has acquired the power to read, a vast and before unknowable world opens up before him. On the one hand are means of culture in what is good and great, which impose new duties of unselfish living and excite high ideals through high examples; and on the other hand are possibilities of degradation of many kinds, mental and moral, unknown before. The school has no right to teach how to read without doing much more than it now does to direct the taste and confirm the habit of reading what is good rather than what is bad. The prime object of reading should be the development of a living appreciation of good literature and the habit of reading it rather than the bad, for with this end all others are secured."-Prof. G. Stanley Hall, Johns Hopkins University. "It seems to me that one part of the work of the teacher ought to be to direct the reading of the children. I hope the teachers of this State, so cultivated, so full of zeal and earnestness, will not only teach in school, but will endeavor to direct the reading of their pupils, in order that they become so interested that their evenings will not be spent among vicious associates, but in useful reading."-Ex-Governor A. G. Porter, to the Indiana Teachers' Association, December, 1880. "As a protection against the seductions of the saloon and other places of questionable resort, a taste for and a habit of acquiring common, useful information is so valuable to our young people that it does not profane the Sabbath or prostitute the pulpit to recommend the reading circle."-4. Martin, President De Pauw University. The Indiana Teachers' Association, December 30, 1887, unanimously adopted the following report of the special committee named below, who were appointed to consider the question of organizing a Reading Circle for the school children of the State: "Your committee, to whom was referred the subject of organizing a Children's Reading Circle, beg leave to report as follows: "We regard the subject one of the highest importance. To place the general reading of the half million children of the public schools under competent guidance and control, even to a limited extent, would, in our judgment, be productive of most beneficial results. To substitute for the trashy and often vicious reading matter, which finds its way into the hands of the children and youth, a grade of literature, at once sound in its contents, chaste in language and imagery, and pure in its moral tone, is an end which may properly command the best and most earnest efforts of this association, and of the teachers of Indians. To your committee the enterprise proposed seems a means for accomplishing, in a measure, this highly desirable end. Signed: W. W. PARSONS, Pres. State Normal School; The work of perfecting the organization was referred to the board of directors named above, who earnestly solicit the co-operation of all school officers, teachers, and parents in carrying out the high purpose of the Teachers' Association. The plan set forth in these announcements is a simple one, and it can be modified to suit the peculiar conditions of particular localities, but a standard is here set up which, it is believed, every locality can practically reach. The reading of one good book by each child during the year would be an inestimable blessing, but many, perhaps most, will desire to do more, so there is added to the principal book selected for each grade a supplementary list. It will be observed, on comparing the prices here given with the regular retail prices of the books, that publishers have made very liberal discounts to members of the circle. Through the local press, by enlisting the ministers of their community, and by conducting special school exercises adapted to the purpose, many teachers will do much more than is here proposed to promote the success of the circle, but it is confidently believed that great good will result from taking the simple steps indicated in the accompanying circulars. It is suggested that after your school has become organized you call the attention of the children to the Young People's Reading Circle, and distribute the slips containing suggestions to parents and pupils, with the request that they present them to their parents and promptly report to you the result. The certificate of membership, signed by the president and secretary of the board, is to be issued when the pupil has read at least one of the prescribed books. By filling out the blank, "to be forwarded to the secretary," you will assist in accumulating information that will be helpful in determining the course for next year. A Young People's Reading Circle Department is to be conducted in the Indiana School Journal that will give each month interesting items concerning the progress of the work. Any information concerning the circle, such as the number of members enrolled in each grade, the means employed to secure the membership, the influence of the circle upon the children, etc., will be thankfully received by Professor Carhart, Greencastle, who has been appointed to conduct the department in the Journal. Additional tablets may be obtained by addressing the secretary of the board. Each tablet also contained twenty duplicates of the following page: To be filled out and forwarded to Mr. D. M. Geeting, Indianapolis, Secretary, when the local membership for the year is complete. Name of member. Grade of member P. O. address of member.. Indicate by a cross (+) the books taken from the following list: Seaside and Wayside, Seven Little Sisters, Friends in Feathers and Fur; Heroic Deeds, Swiss Family Robinson, Pilgrims and Puritans, Ten Great Events in History, Birds and Bees, Robinson Crusoe, Neighbors With Claws and Hoofs, Ten Little Boys; Washington and His Country, Animal Life in the Sea and on the Land, Tales From Shakespeare, Franklin's Autobiography, Plutarch's Lives, Glimpses of the Animate World. Name of teacher............................. .......... ........ This Certifies that.... is a member of the Young People's Reading Circle of Indiana, 1889. "READ, REFLECT, APPLY." "From a child I was fond of reading.”—BENJ, FRANKLIN. [Signed.] TO PARENTS AND PUPILS: R. G. Boone, President. "A child that has a fondness for reading has no desire to be among vicious associates. I believe that the best preparation of a boy for a virtuous life is to interest him in good reading."-Ex-Governor A. G. Porter to Indiana Teachers' Association, 1880. "In my opinion the boy who leaves at the end of a common school course with a love of reading good books is better prepared for a life of honor and influence than one who passes through a high school course without that love. And he who has an ordinary high school education, combined with a taste for good reading, is better equipped for the duties of life than the graduate of the best college or university in the country, without that taste."-Hon. J. B. Peaslee, for twelve years Superintendent of the Public Schools of Cincinnati. "From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was laid out in books."-Benj. Franklin. The true university of these days is a collection of books."-Thomas Carlyle. YOUNG PEOPLE'S READING CIRCLE OF INDIANA, Organized by the State Teachers' Association, 1887. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. R. G. BOONE, Professor of Pedagogy, Indiana University, EMMA MONT MCRAE, Professor of Eng. Literature, Purdue University. JOSEPH CARHART, Professor of English Literature, De Pauw University. L. H. JONES, Superintendent Indianapolis Schools. HARVEY M. LA FOLLETTE, Superintendent Public Instruction. D. M. GEETING, Deputy Superintendent Public Instruction. If you desire to co-operate with the teachers of the State in an effort to direct the tastes of the children and to confirm them in the habit of reading good books, please draw a line under the titles of any books you may desire in the accompanying list, and return this paper to the teacher, who will sign the same, thus entitling the holder to books at the reduced prices named. To secure the books at the prices given, this certificate must accompany the order. Send direct to the publishers, enclosing the price, and the books will be sent by mail. The price of the book in every case includes postage or expressage on the same. Remittances may be made by money order, postal note, or postage stamps. of This certifies that...... is a member of the Young People's Reading Circle of Indiana. Signed .Teacher, Post-office. List of books for 1888-89. Third Reader Grade-Seaside and Wayside, price, 40 cents, D. C. Heath & Co., Chicago. Supplementary: The Seven Little Sisters Who Live on the Round Ball that Floats in the Air, price, 50 cents, Lee & Shepard, Boston. Friends in Feathers and Fur, price, 33 cents, D. Appleton & Co., Chicago. Fourth Reader-Stories of Heroic Deeds, price, 33 cents, D. Appleton & Co., Chicago; or, Swiss Family Robinson, price, 38 cents, Ginn & Co., Chicago. Supplementary: Pilgrims and Puritans, price, 60 cents, Ginn & Co., Chicago. Ten Great Events in History, price, 60 cents, D. Appleton & Co., Chicago. Birds and Bees, price (in paper), 15 cents, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. Robinson Crusoe, price, 35 cents, Ginn & Co., Chicago. Neigh bors With Claws and Hoofs, price, 60 cents, D. Appleton & Co., Chicago. Ten Little Boys on the Road From Long Ago to Now, price, 80 cents, Lee & Shepard, Boston. Fifth Reader Grade-Washington and His Country, price, 75 cents, Ginn & Co., Chicago. Supplementary: Animal Life in the Sea and on the Land, price, $1.15, Harper & Brothers, New York. Tales From Shakespeare, price, 38 cents, Ginn & Co., Chicago. Franklin's Autobiography, price, 35 cents, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston. Plutarch's Lives, price, 38 cents, Ginn & Co., Chicago. Glimpses of the Animate World, price, $1.10, D. Appleton & Co., Chicago. "The hearty and intelligent co-operation of all county superintendents, teachers, the press generally, and especially the Indiana School Journal, gives encouraging assurance that through the Young People's Reading Circle thousands of children who would otherwise either do no reading outside of school text-books or would read trashy and vicious literature will have their lives encircled by the best thought and feeling of the world's best men and women." IOWA. At the meeting of the Iowa Teachers' Association in 1884 the president of that body recommended the organization of a teachers' reading circle on the ground that "there ought to be a course of reading adapted to the needs of every teacher who wishes to acquire excellence." From the action taken at this meeting the circle arose. Purpose.-1. The objects of the reading circle shall be, says the plan of organization, the improvement of its members in literary, scientific, and professional knowledge and the promotion of habits of self-culture. 2. Any teacher or other resident of Iowa may become a member of the circle by signing a pledge to faithfully pursue the prescribed course of reading, and by the payment, in advance, of the membership fee. Course. The course of reading covers a period of four years, and consists of selections from three departments: History and art, general and professional; literature, general and professional; science, physical, natural, social, mental, and moral. The committees on reading recommend to the board books for reading in their respective departments. The board arranges for reviews at the close of each year's course, to be conducted by the county manager. Any person having certified to the careful reading will receive a certificate from the board showing that he has completed the course for the year, and to all, who in like manner complete the work laid out for four years, a diploma will be issued. Touching the very important question of time, presupposing the inclination, for pursuing this course the management observe: "By busy people, both men and women, only a short time can be spared each day for reading. Yet no one can afford to use his spare moments for reading without aim or system. It is, therefore, proposed to select a few subjects and choose books which present in a popular manuer fundamental facts and principles. All members will read these books; some will read much more. "It has been the aim to select books suited to the wants of Iowa teachers, and all others who want a better education, but can not get it in school; such books as will inspire a love of reading for the culture it brings. An average of forty minutes' reading each week day will enable the student in nine months to complete the books selected for one year.' In the first circular issued is given this course of reading for the first year: HISTORY AND ART. ( General; Barnes' Brief General History....... General: Richardson's American Literature Primer.. LITERATURE. SCIENCE. Physical: Balfour Stewart's Physics.. Mental: Watts' Improvement of the Mind (new edition)............... Second, third, and fourth years not yet determined. In the circular for May, 1887, the last at hand, the four years' course of reading is grouped thus, the course of each year being considered the first year for new students: The above outline of future work is subject to such changes as the board of directors may deem necessary and is additional to the two years' courses announced in previous circulars. COURSE FOR 1887-88. 1 History of Pedagogy. Contributions to the Science of Education........................................... 2 Biographical-Great Lives... Natural History (from page 279).................................................... (Outline Study of Political Economy.............................................................................................................................. 3 Political Economy. Political Economy. (Principles of Hygiene.. Our Government... History and Civil Government of Iowa....... F. V. N. Painter. Gabriel Compare W. H. Payne. .............................................. J. I. Nombert J. G. Wood .G. M. Stocke. J. M. Gregory. Chapin's Wayland Ezra M. Hunt, Jesse Macy. .....Geo. Chandler, 5 Literature-Selections from Hawthorne, Holmes, Irving, Longfellow. Not less than 100 pages. Any four of the above five topics may be selected, and one book from each selected topic may be chosen, which will constitute the course of reading for the year. Two books may be read each half year, or three if the smaller works be selected. County uniformity is recommended. Administration.-The Iowa Teachers' Reading Circle, as before remarked, originated in the annual meeting of the State Teachers' Association, held at Des Moines, December 22-24, 1884. The association appointed a committee of nine members, three chosen from each department of the association, with authority to organize a State reading circle, arrange a course of reading, provide for forming local circles, and put the plan into execution; this committee became the board of directors. The board appoints the county superintendent, or a special deputy in each county as county manager, who shall enroll members, organize local circles of four or more members, receive membership fees and remit monthly to the treasurer of the board, furnish information, distribute books, and have the general direction of the work in his county. County managers are urged to take the lead in organizing circles in their respective counties. They may call teachers and other interested persons together at any time and explain the objects of the circle, the course of reading to be pursued, and the advantages to be derived. They should advise and assist in organizing new circles, supply them with the necessary blanks, and aid in procuring the needed books. Any person wishing to organize a local circle may take the names of those who wish to join and send to the county manager. He will receive in return the necessary circulars, blanks, and suggestions for organizing. If there be no county manager the names may be sent direct to the secretary at Davenport. A leader is to be appointed to enroll members, secure pledges, forward membership fees, and arrange for procuring books, and for future meetings. Every meeting should be appointed for a definite hour, and all members from the beginning should plan to be on time. The roll should be called and a record made of the attendance, after which the time should be occupied according to a previously arranged programme of readings, questions, reviews, geographical, historical, biographical, or other reference. Dictionaries, maps, and other attainable works of reference may be consulted with advantage. Methods of conducting local circles are given in the school journals of the State. Before being admitted the applicant must subscribe to a pledge conceived in the following terms: "I hereby engage to enter upon and faithfully pursue for one year or more the course of reading as outlined for the Iowa Teachers' Reading Circle." To defray the expenses of correspondence and printing, and provide for other necessary expenditures an annual fee of 50 cents is asked from each member. If paid in advance, 75 cents will constitute the fee for two years. It is a small amount to the individual members, and its prompt payment and remittance will enable the board to pay necessary bills and plan for the best efficiency and growth of the circle. The annual membership fees are due September 1, but the fees for new memberships paid after May 1 may be accredited to the ensuing year. The secretary of the circle, Mr. F. E. Stratton, has kindly furnished a copy of his last report, in which he takes a hopeful view of the prospects of the circle, while repeating the call for enthusiasm already noted in California and several other States. KANSAS. The reading circle of Kansas is undergoing reorganization to become a branch of the Chautauqua Teachers' Reading Circle. But its history as an independent body, from its organization, in May, 1885, to the present, deserves mention. Purpose.-"This circle proposes to all classes of readers a plan of mutual assistance in the work of self-culture by outlining courses of reading and study by securing reduced rates on books, by publishing lists of excellent publications interesting to its members, by suggesting methods of work, and by supplying the incentive of association in study and examination." Membership seems to be open to all who pay the annual fee of 50 cents. Course.-Members are not compelled to take any one full course or division; the utmost freedom of selection is recognized. One may take a "teachers' general course," another a "literary relief course," still another a little of both, or apply for more general recommendation. The teachers' general course is divided into FIRST DIVISION.-Kiddle's How to Teach, Page's Theory and Practice, Barnes' General History. SECOND DIVISION.-Hewett's Pedagogy, Fitch's Lectures on Teaching, Gregory's Political Economy. THIRD DIVISION.-Bain's Education as a Science, Sully's Psychology (ed.) abridged, Swinton's Classical English Reader. The "literature relief course" (as distinguished, presumably, from the more irksome professional course) is also grouped in three divisions, as follows: FIRST DIVISION.-Goldsmith's Deserted Village, 1st mo.; Coleridge's Ancient Mariner, 2d mo.; Irving's Sketch Book, 3d mo.; Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare, 4th mo.; Chas. Kingsley's Westward, Ho!, 5th and 6th mos. SECOND DIVISION.-Hawthorne's Tales of a Grandfather, Part I. 1st mo.; Part II, 2d mo.; Part III, 3d mo.; Hawthorne's Biographical Stories, 4th mo.; David Copperfield, 5th and 6th mos. THIRD DIVISION.-Merchant of Venice, 1st mo.; Macbeth, 2d mo.; Tempest, 3d mo.; Pope's Essay on Criticism, 4th mo.; Henry Esmond, 5th and 6th mos. In addition to these there is, or was, a "juvenile course" which was recommended to teachers for introducing a course of reading to the attention of the young in their several school districts, as follows: FIRST GROUP.-Tales of a Grandfather, by Sir Walter Scott; Robinson Crusoe, Book of Fables, Jno. B. Alden, publisher, N. Y. SECOND GROUP.-Eminent Americans, Dickens' Child's History of England, Jno. B. Alden, publisher, N. Y.; Arabian Nights, edited by Rev. E. E. Hale. THIRD GROUP.-Pilgrim's Progress, Creasy's Decisive Batties, Hawthorne's Grandfather's Chair. Administration.-The management is a board of five directors elected annually. Any association might organize itself as a county reading circle by electing a county secretary, and local circles subordinate to these might also be formed. The annual fee gave the member the privilege of obtaining the books of the course at reduced prices, the various circulars of suggestion and information issued from time to time and of examination semi-annually. A certain portion of the membership fee is retained by the county secretary, who remits the residue to the treasurer of the board of directors. Before speaking of the change now being instituted a quotation is given from a letter of Mr. Hill, the secretary of the reorganized circle, and to whom our thanks are due for information on this subject: "Under the old organization about forty circles were formed, with a membership aggregating not quite 800. But few circles are now in existence, though the interest man |