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[The motion was then made for adding the last formula, viz.

Done in Convention, by the unanimous confent, &c. : which was agreed to, and added accordingly.]

SKETCH

SKETCH OF AN ENGLISH SCHOOL:

For the Confideration of the Trustees of the Philadelphia Academy *.

It is expected that every scholar to be

admitted into this school, be at least able to pronounce and divide the fyllables in reading, and to write a legible hand. None to be received that are under years of age,

FIRST, OR LOWEST CLASS.

Let the first class learn the English Grammar rules, and at the fame time let particular care be taken to improve them

This piece did not come to hand till the vo lume had been fome time at the prefs. This was the cafe also with several other papers, and must be our apology for any defect that may appear in the arrangement.

in

in orthography. Perhaps the latter is best done by pairing the fcholars; two of those nearest equal in their fpelling to be put together. Let thefe ftrive for victory; each propounding ten words every day to the other to be fpelled. He that fpells truly most of the other's words, is victor for that day; he that is victor moft days in a month, to obtain a prize, a pretty neat book of fome kind, useful in their future ftudies. This method fixes the attention of children extremely to the orthography of words, and makes them good fpellers very early. It is a fhame for a man to be fo ignorant of this little art, in his own language, as to be perpetually confounding words of like found and different fignifications; the confcioufnefs of which defect makes fome men, otherwife of good learning and underftanding, averfe to writing even a common letter.

Let the pieces read by the scholars in

this

this clafs be fhort; fuch as Croxal's fables and little ftories. In giving the Jeffon, let it be read to them; let the meaning of the difficult words in it be explained to them; and let them con over by themselves before they are called to read to the mafter or usher; who is to take particular care that they do not read too fast, and that they duly observe the ftops and paufes. A vocabulary of the most ufual difficult words might be formed for their ufe, with explanations; and they might daily get a few of those words and explanations by heart, which would a little exercife their memories; or at least they might write a number of them in a small book for the purpose, which would help to fix the meaning of those words in their minds, and at the fame time furnish every one with a little dictionary for his future use.

THE

THE SECOND CLASS

To be taught reading with attention, and with proper modulations of the voice; according to the fentiment and the fubject.

Some short pieces, not exceeding the length of a Spectator, to be given this clafs for leffons (and fome of the easier Spectators would be very fuitable for the purpofe). These leffons might be given every night as tasks; the scholars to ftudy them against the morning. Let it then be required of them to give an account, first of the parts of fpeech, and conftruction of one or two fentences. This will oblige them to recur frequently to their grammar, and fix its principal rules in their memory. Next, of the intention of the writer, or the scope of the piece, the meaning of each sentence, and of every uncommon word. This would early acquaint them with the

meaning

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