How to Teach Reading in the Public Schools

"How to Teach Reading in the Public Schools" by S. H. Clark is an instructional manual aimed at educators, written in the late 19th century. This work provides insights and methodologies for teaching reading effectively in public schools, stressing the importance of understanding vocal expression and its various components. The book appears to focus on improving both the teachers’ and students’ abilities to extract meaning from text, thereby elevating the standard of reading instruction. The opening of this manual establishes its purpose by addressing the inadequacies of reading education in public schools. The author outlines common remedial approaches, such as mechanical methods of teaching vocal expression and comprehension techniques, explaining why they often fall short in fostering a true understanding of literature. Clark emphasizes the need for teachers to appreciate great literature, to understand the psychology behind vocal expression, and to implement a structured, methodical approach to instruction that prioritizes clarity and comprehension, rather than rote learning.