First Words Prereader

by W. Murray, Jill Corby (Editor)

'Read With Me' adopts the 'look-say' approach, introducing learners to the first 300 most frequently used works in the English language. Pronunciation and meaning are learned through gradual introduction and careful repetition.

48 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 28, 1990

About the author

William Murray was an educational adviser at a borstal and later headmaster of a "school for the educationally subnormal" in Cheltenham. From research undertaken in the 1950s by Murray with Professor Joe McNally, an educational psychologist at Manchester University, Murray realised that only 12 words account for ¼, 100 words account for ½, and 300 words account for ¾ of the words used in normal speaking, reading and writing in the English language.

He developed 'The Key Words Reading Scheme,' a series of 36 English language early readers children's books, published by the British publishing company, Ladybird Books.

Starting with book 1a, a budding reader of primary school age, from 3 to 5 year old, is introduced to brother and sister Peter and Jane, their dog Pat, their Mummy and Daddy, and their home, toys, playground, the beach, shops, buses and trains, and so on. (wiki)