• THE ALEXANDER-DEWEY ELEMENTARY BOOK BY GEORGIA ALEXANDER DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIANAPOLIS SCHOOLS EDITED BY JOHN DEWEY PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY The problem is always the same: to interest the pupil, LONGMANS, GREEN AND CO. PREFACE THIS series of arithmetics arises from the realization that the mathematics taught in the schools of a democracy must function in: 1. Clear and independent thinking as a preparation for business, science and industry. 2. Skill in mathematical computation. 3. Civic responsibility which will carry into action whatever is needed for the welfare of the community. That these ends may be accomplished, new arithmetical ideas have been introduced by means of the socialized recitation, thus affording the pupil an impelling incentive, cultivation of initiative and judgment, and a desire to check results. The arithmetical ideas gained through this social introduction are made automatic through scientific practice which later culminates in their application to new concrete situations. Reviews are both constant and varied. Fully fifty per cent of the work is to be performed without pencil. The subject matter is of contemporary interest which brings into the otherwise isolated school-room the great world where mathematics are found in every basic activity. The desideratum is an intelligent, responsible, skillful pupil. The respective contributions of the author and the editor of the series are perhaps sufficiently indicated by the use of these terms. The editor has not confined his attention to allowing the use of his name, but has made suggestions as to the underlying principles, has suggested experiments to be tested in school-room practice, has read and criticized the text and is jointly responsible for its present form. The specific problems and principles have been worked out in the school-room under the direct supervision of the author and tested till they were satisfactory. Grateful acknowledgment is made to the score of classroom teachers who have so generously and intelligently aided in testing the various lessons, and to Mrs. John Dewey, who has read the text critically and made valuable suggestions. CONTENTS While the entire book is based on induction, those exercises that |