VENABLE'S ARITHMETICS-NEW Two-BooK SERIES. ELEMENTARY ARITHMETIC BY CHARLES S. VENABLE, LL.D. PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA NEW YORK PREFACE. IN this work, the first of a two-book series of arithmetics, the author has sought to present an elementary treatment of numbers illustrating methods now approved as best adapted to the needs of the school-room. The First Steps, forming Part I., indicate the methods. used with success by progressive teachers in the lowest primary classes of graded schools. The pupil beginning his school life meets in this part of the book a training which, continuing the best of his home instruction, gradually and pleasantly introduces him to the restraint of forms of thought and language necessary in numerical processes. The pictures of Part I., in appealing to the imagination of the pupil, afford opportunities for language lessons, and suggest simple combinations in the study of numbers. The story that the child makes about the objects represented in the picture soon gives place to the problem in arithmetic. The problems in the beginning of the book are, of course, for dictation by the teacher; while the sight and the copy exercises are for the use of the pupil with the book or from the blackboard. The ever-varied expression in the problems, throughout the book, calls into exercise the judgment of the pupil and enables him to repeat again and again the various combinations in numbers, without being conscious of the monotony that generally attends drill exercises. All that is purely technical has been carefully avoided, the effort of the author having been to make the book replete with thoroughly well-graded problems, oral and written. In the preparation of this book, the author's Primary and Intermediate Arithmetics have been revised and rewritten. While it is the introductory book in the new series, it will be found sufficiently comprehensive for pupils unable further to pursue the subject, as it provides them with the essential business forms and applications. The author has sought to have both books of the series full of systematic work for the pupil, and of suggestive help for the teacher. Acknowledging the large assistance of Mr. S. T. Stewart, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and the valuable suggestions and aid of other skilled and experienced teachers, the author with confidence submits the series to the judgment of his fellowteachers. C. S. V. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, |