ARITHMETIC A MANUAL FOR TEACHERS A TEXTBOOK FOR BY JOSEPH C. BROWN STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE, ST. CLOUD, MINNESOTA That arithmetic is often poorly organized and poorly taught is shown by the large proportion of children who fail in the subject. The long experience of the authors in training teachers and in institute work confirms them in the opinion that the teaching of the subject suffers because many teachers lack adequate instruction in its organization, principles, methods, and devices. It is not assumed that method can be substituted for scholarship, but that teachers need definite advice in the teaching of arithmetic. Teachers' reading circles, teacher-training classes in high schools, normal schools, and teachers' colleges, school supervisors, and, more especially, classroom teachers were kept in mind constantly in the preparation of this book. The book was not designed to exploit any particular theory or method. It is a simple and clear exposition of the best methods of teaching arithmetic known today. The book should aid the teacher to make arithmetic more interesting and more vital. The motivation and the socialization of arithmetic receive emphasis, and the teacher is made familiar with the rich and suggestive literature of recent years dealing with scientific studies in arithmetic. Part One treats of the contribution which scientific studies have made toward standardizing the subject and contains a valuable study of the uses to which arithmetic is put in everyday life. Part Two deals with certain fundamental principles that apply to arithmetic in general. Part Three explains the organization of the subject and the methods of teaching the various topics which are included in the textbooks of arithmetic in general use. |