Chapter 4

Question 1

Describe the first instrument of learning for Puritan children.

Answer 1

Hornbook - a wood paddle with a piece of paper attached. It contained the alphabet, blends, Apostolic Benediction,and Lord’s Prayer

Question 2

What were Catechisms?

Answer 2

Books written in Q&A format to help students memorize important Bible doctrines

Question 3

What was the purpose of a Catechism?

Answer 3

To clarify and perpetuate doctrine

Question 4

What was the most popular colonial textbook and when was it first published?

Answer 4

The New England Primer, 1690

Question 5

What was the nickname of the New England Primer?

Answer 5

“The Little Bible of New England”

Question 6

Why was the New England Primer written?

Answer 6

To impress spiritual truths upon the minds of the young

Question 7

Who published the 1st reader in America?

Answer 7

Noah Webster

Question 8

What was Noah Webster known as?

Answer 8

The schoolmaster of the nation

Question 9

What were the first three colleges founded in America? Which one was the first Church of England college in America?

Answer 9

Harvard, William and Mary (church of England college), and Yale

Question 10

Why and when was Yale established

Answer 10

On the eve of the First Great Awakening amid growing concern Harvard had drifted from its original orthodoxy.

Question 11

Who was the most successful in converting and educating the Algonquian Indians in New England?

Answer 11

John Elliot

Question 12

Name a big accomplishment of John Elliot

Answer 12

He translated the Old and New Testaments into the language of the Algonquians

Question 13

How did the Puritan town schools help the Indians?

Answer 13

They received free tuition

Question 14

Where did the first books for colonial education come from?

Answer 14

England

Question 15

What nickname was given to the Algonquian Indians?

Answer 15

4,000 “Praying Indians”

Question 16

What college was established for the purpose of converting Indians to Christianity?

Answer 16

Dartmouth College

Question 17

What type of curriculum was used in Puritan schools and explain how the curriculum influenced the students toward biblical training?

Answer 17

The curriculum of Puritan schools was centered on the Bible. In primary school, the students used the Hornbook. It was basically a piece of wood with single page printed on it. It had the alphabet, vowels, blends, Apostolic Benediction and Lord’s Prayer on it. Catechisms were used in schools as well as homes and churches. A Catechism was written in a question-answer format and covered Bible doctrines. Students were expected to memorize the Catechisms. The most popular book of the time was The New England Primer. It included Biblical learning jingles to go with each letter of the alphabet.