The 1879 Edition of McGuffey’s Eclectic Readers is a
beloved, historically accurate reprint of the revised McGuffey Readers that
shaped American education for decades.
This classic series combines high-quality literature, strong
moral lessons, and systematic instruction in reading, elocution, and character
development from a distinctly Christian worldview.
Key Curriculum Features:
Faithful
reproduction of the popular 1879 revised edition
Strong
emphasis on moral character, virtue, and biblical principles
Progressive
difficulty from beginning reading through advanced literature and
elocution
Excellent
training in clear pronunciation, articulation, and expressive reading
Rich
vocabulary development and classic literary selections
Includes
penmanship/copywork practice in legible script
Stories,
poetry, and artwork that reflect 19th-century American values
Program Components:
6 hardcover
Readers covering Primer through Fifth Reader
Each
reader includes reading selections, vocabulary, comprehension questions,
and articulation drills
Penmanship
practice passages printed in clear script
Available
individually or in complete sets
The 1879 Edition of McGuffey’s Eclectic Readers
stands out for its timeless literary quality, strong moral foundation, and
proven track record in building excellent readers with character. It is an
excellent choice for families seeking a rigorous, classically-inspired reading
program rooted in Christian values.
Browse all McGuffey’s Eclectic Readers 1879 Edition
volumes and complete sets below!
These icons are designed to help you quickly understand and learn important information about our products.
Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
