How to cut of most inconueniences wherewith schooles and scholers, masters and parentes be in our schooling now most troubled: whereof there be too meanes, vniformitie in teaching and publishing of schoole orders. That vniformitie in teaching hath for companions dispatch in learning and sparing of expenses. Of the abbridging of the number of bookes. Of curtesie and correction. Of schoole faultes. Of friendlines betwene parentes and maisters. (P. 262.)
That conference betwene those which haue interest in children: Certaintie of direction in places where children vse most: and Constancie in well keeping that, which is certainely appointed, be the most profitable circunstances both for vertuous mannering and cunning schooling. (P. 281.)
The peroration, wherein the summe of the whole booke is recapitulated and proofes vsed, that this enterprise was first to be begon by Positions, and that these be the most proper to this purpose. A request concerning the well taking of that which is so well meant. (P. 292.)
Author aims at improving Schools 2 Why he writes in English 3
Settling first Principles 4 The three Stages of Learning 5 The first Stage chosen 6 Matters to be discussed 7
Mistake of neglecting Circumstance 8 Consideration of Circumstance 9 The Realm of Circumstance 10 Authority affected by Circumstance 11 Use of previous writers 12 Right Reason the best Authority 13 Truth no Respecter of Persons 14
The Ideal and the Possible 15 What Parents want 16 At what age should schooling begin? 17 Circumstances limit choice 18 Against forcing young wits 19 Powers of mind and body 20 Father must decide Care of the body 21 Parents’ duty in training the body 22 Meet schoolroom stillness by regulated exercise 23 Parents must consult with Schoolmaster 24
Discerning of ingenerate abilities 25 Measure of ripeness in soul or body 26 Three Powers: Perception, Memory, Judgment 27 Morals the care of Parents and Teachers 28 Instruction before Grammar Age. Reading 29 Reading English before Latin 30 Rote for Youth: Reason for Years. English 31 Writing invented before Reading 32 Skill in Writing: its value for the child 33 Write English hand first. Drawing 34 Value of Drawing. Painting? 35 Music 36 Music good for mind and body 37 Objections to Music answered 38 For child reading, writing, drawing, music 39