State Historical Society of Iowa

Iowa Public Television's "McGuffey's Readers," 1979

Courtesy of Iowa Public Television, "McGuffey's Readers," Iowa Country Schools - Iowa Public Television, 1979

 Download Video Resource

Description

McGuffey's Readers were the primary text used in schools to teach spelling, history, poetry, religion, morals and etiquette. It was from the pages of McGuffey's Readers that such meaningful prose sprang forth. Eventually, six readers were published under the McGuffey name and it became the standard textbook. Many pioneer children brought their McGuffey's to Iowa by covered wagon in the 1830s. Near the end of the video clip, actors are seen wearing clothing similar to the time period, in a one-room schoolhouse exhibit, reading from McGuffey's readers in the style that children read in their lessons long ago.

Source Dependent Questions

  • How does the McGuffey Reader compare to your textbook?

Citation Information

"McGuffey's Readers," Iowa Country Schools - Iowa Public Television, 1979. Courtesy of Iowa Public Television Courtesy of Library of Congress