Review of Picture-Story Reading Lessons

Abstract

Reviews the book, Picture-Story Reading Lessons by Nila Banton Smith and Stuart A. Courtis. Picture-Story Reading Lessons method is built upon the basic truths, generally accepted by psychologists and educators, that purposeful learning is the only really efficient learning, and that in teaching reading "the best results will be secured by the teacher who sees in reading situations a new field in which to give children experience in "purposing." The method is based on four definite objectives, which are described here. The materials by which these aims are to be accomplished include a Teacher's Manual and a package of phrase cards Each pupil is provided with a Practice Pad, a Dictionary, and a Story Book. The method used in teaching reading with Picture-Story Reading Lessons, as the objectives clearly indicate, is an abrupt departure from ordinary methods. It is unusual in that it stresses helping the child to teach himself to read and encourages him to develop as fast as his own effort and ability permit. Its strong feature is that by its use children not only learn to read but they show a marked growth in initiative, self-reliance, concentration and self-criticism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)