Case 4: An Example of
Textbook Evolution: Dick and Jane
The evolution of readers from about 1914 to the 1940's is best seen in the basal series published by Scott, Foresman. This series became the most widely used reading series for another three decades. One feature of this series was the reduction of the number of words children learned at each grade level.
William H. Elson and Christine Keck. Elson Grammar School Reader: Book Four. Chicago: Scott, Foresman, 1909.
This series contained a blend of traditional stories (to elevate taste and judgment) along with the civic concerns of the Progressives. The traditional component is evident here with the inclusion of Longfellow's "Evangeline."
William S. Gray and May Hill Arbuthnot. Basic Readers: Curriculum and Foundation Program: Streets and Roads. Chicago: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1946.
In the 1940's, Gray took over for Runkel, and, in the following decade, was joined by May Arbuthnot, who would go on to author a well-known book on reading and children's literature.
William H. Elson and Lura E. Runkel. Elson-Runkel Primer. Chicago: Scott, Foresman & Co., 1914.
"This book is based on the belief that interesting material is the most important factor in learning to read" (p.5). A word list is included in the back of the book, and the teacher's guide contains scripted lesson plans that include telling a story, dramatizing the story, and developing words and sentences. "Phonetics" consists of linking sounds to letters. Spot first appears as a cat.
William H. Elson and William S. Gray. Elson-Gray Basic Readers, Book Two. Chicago: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1936.
In 1930 Elson teamed up with Gray to produce a totally packaged basal reading program.
Fun with Dick and Jane: A Commemorative Collection of Stories. [Chicago]: Scott, Foresman, n.d.
This commemorative booklet was published as part of Scott, Foresman's centennial. It has excerpts from several of the primers.
Mabel O'Donnell. The New Alice and Jerry Books Basic Readers, Reading Foundation Series: Here and There. New York: Row, Peterson and Company, 1956.
Since the basal reader market was a lucrative one, other basal series were developed. Few demonstrated the mass appeal and consistent strength of the Scott, Foresman series.
William S. Gray, Dorothy Baruch and Elizabeth Rider Montgomery. Curriculum Foundation Series: We Work and Play. Chicago: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1946.
The Curriculum Foundation Series led the way for many of the postwar generation of readers. These series contained teachers' guides, workbooks, and related and supplementary texts.
