That a few words well learned are preferable to many words half learned has been the controlling motive in the compilation of The Ideal Speller.
In grades two, three, four and five, an arrangement of two words a day is provided; in the sixth year, three words; in the seventh year, four and five words, and in the eighth year, five words. Though there is ample authority for not attempting to teach a greater number of words per day than those specified, for the convenience of those schools where the course of study calls for a larger list, this book presents an aggregate number of words for grades two to eight, inclusive, as follows: 350, 450, 600, 600, 600, 600, 600; total 3,800.
Besides these words there are approximately 400 additional words presented in the lists of Contractions, Abbreviations, Homonyms, Prefixes, Suffixes, Synonyms and Word Study.
The words finally selected are those that have been found by recognized authorities to be the most useful in everyday life. All of the so-called "Sage List" and most of the "Cook and O'Shea List" are included.
The authors have purposely omitted historical and geographical names, as such words should be taught in connection with the work in history and geography.
No effort has been made to give ability to spell difficult words except such as are considered eminently useful.
