Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-11-16
THE TELEGRAPH.
BRANDON, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16, $40.

ofthe following suggestions, will not be
at them, knowing as they do that
there are those who need some hints Of
the kind. Should there be an exception
however, to this observation, the Tele-
graph is ready, waiting, and anxious to
bear better article on the points about to
be touched Let it be forwarded without
delay, and we will be not only silent but
very grateful.
A word of our own experience here, it
is hoped, will not be deemed egotistical
1t fell TO our lot to be common schoo,
teacher for seven successive seasons On
looking back over the whole, it is ques-
ton with us now if we ever gave better
satisfaction than we did the first season.
it is doubtful, if we had the eighth season
returned to the first school, whether with
the utmost exertion our reputation as a
teacher could have been raised above the
point where it was left at the close of the
first term yet there is not doubt that
we could have benefited class Of learn
ers more, the eighth season, in t1comonths,
than the first season, in four months.
If these opinions are correct, they may
indicate the too great want of care and
djscernment on the part Of those who en-
ploy teachers and place scholars under
their care; and that the qualifications of
a teacher cannot, in the present views TAX
en- Of these things by the multitude of par
ents and guardians, always with safety be
estimated by the reputation which he sus-
tains among his patrons
Let this suffice for, or be instead Of any
labored introduction, and we will proceed
to throw out some desultory Thoughts, as
there may from time to time be occasion
or opportunity.
Teaching the alphabet. In the days
of our childhood and first pupilage, the
method of teaching the al phabet was, TO
! call up the child, make it toe mark and
do obeisance, and then, directing its atten-
, ton TO a column of twenty-six letters, the
teacher questioned and required the chile
e to follow, pronouncing at single exer
else the names of all the letters in a pha
: betical order. This was gone through
D with four times day, and the child wa
: confined to the bench during the intervals
: Of an hour and half each. The prac
. tice is yet too common. The effect on tn,
y child is most pernicious. So many dit
# ferent objects are presented to the mind il
e quick succession as to produce confusion
: The powers Of comparison and dlscr!mjna
ton are over taxi d, indeed are overw helm
!. ed at the outset In this method there ar
d no means Of exciting interest in the min
q ofthe child After few efforts the nov
e city ceases, and the business of callin
h over the names of unmeaning character
" becomes an irksome task
= Here commences the formation Of hab
" its which grow with the growth an
r. strengthen with the strength ofthe scho
Y, ar, clinging to him throughout the Who'll
course of study. We pronounce thl
W method of teaching to be greatly faulty
. . There is no need OF stopping to inqm
IN who is the most in fault, whether parent
e or teachers 1t is enough to know thu
y. the evil exists, and we may at once pre-
- coed in search of a remedy. We max
n no pretensions to great wisdom on tn
be subject, but may be allowed to say that "
I'll have known children, otherwise trea,e
- to learn the al Phabet in less number
ne hours, than equally brilliant minds usua
IT. Iy do in this way, of days. To accom-
K plish this, it is only needfu to bear
- mind, and carry out the principle, that o.
~ ~ one thing can be learned at a time
-e, The violation of this law Of the huma
g, mind will insure defeat, or at least hi
~ drance. Point the child then to a sing
ng letter and give the name. When su
&c, vey of it has been taken, ask the learn
to find another letter ofthis name or shap
no A newspaper, or any page of readir
. matter may be used. Care should be ia
It's; en- to have the characters plain. 1t
'ea well to have small book for the purpos
cir Bits Of pasteboard and blocks Of wood a
or used by many. But we prefer Wore,
to tsIs Primer to any thing else that h
re- come under our observation and we co
zee 6deutly recommend the plan of learnir