Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-05-17
COMMUNICATED.

| MEssRs EDIroRs Permit me to suggest few
| thoughts for the consideration of those of your
readers who are interested in the behalf of Common
| Schools | persuaded that parents generally
In this country, not aware of the inconveni-
ence and loss their children suffer In school for
the want of proper selection of school books. The
most of our districts comprise families recently
from different States, and from foreign coun-
tries. Consequently, when a school is opened
the children bring together considerable share of
the variety of books used in schools from Maine to
Louisiana: (and this is no small variety, since the
extent of school book quackery has become almost
unbounded,) some appear with books that were
never designed for schools and some have none
Under such circumstances the teacher commences
his work. Now, that he may act more efficiently
on numbers at time, it is necessary that his
school should be arranged properly in classes of
suitable size "Were it not for the art of classi6-
cation, and SYSTEM" says Jacob Abbott, Author
OF The Teacher, % no school could have more than
ten scholars" He attempts to classify and ar
range his school but as their books differ, he can
not do 1t as it should be done. 1t is Necessary to
almost beyond endurance: while their efficiency is
diminished. He not apportion his time and
instruction to individuals, or to small classes so
that they will derive the benefit that they would
if accommodated with suitable books and placed
in classes of proper size.
This may be considered specimen of the schools
generally they formed in this country tits
an evil that should be remedied and now is the
time attend to it. Every school district should
unite to adopt and use the same kind of books
For this purpose, let Common School Convcn-
ton composed of delegates from the several dis
tricts of this county, select the kind of books for
our schools, and recommend the use of the same
to each school district IN the county, and the OBJ
ject will be accomplished. Then parents and guar
teacher they employ to provide his favorite kind of
books for his pupils. Teachers will be relieved
from much unnecessary labor. The multiplicity
of the objects of his care and attention will be con-
siderably diminished, and his usefulness increased
For instructions to one scholar will generally APP
ply to his class. SO that pupils too will receive
more instruction, and derive the benefit of well
organized schools. Our merchants will know
what kind of books to provide for the schools; and
the sale beng thus insured, the price will be less.
Families in changing their residence from one dis
trlct to another, will not have to lay aside their
school books and purchase other kinds. Other be-
nefits would result from an arran cement of this
kind. But should this subject be neglected, and
and action Deferred we may reasonably expect
that our schools will soon be encountered with
great variety of books and many that ought not to
be used in school. For incompetent compilers will
multiply their works, and active booksellers, and
ignorant teachers will not cease to urge them into
our schools. S. ST.
Bristol, May 18th, 1912.