The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1851-01-02

lie, but is what it purports TO be, and
deserving the confidence of the public.
For the Herald.
COMMON SCHOOLS No. s..
CLASSIFICATION.
There are some who cannot be made
to perceive the utility of classification
in Il common schools, because it has
something of novelty in the system and
strikes them rs an innovation upon
cherished institutions, while, as applied
TO all the business transactions
Of life, it is only carrying out their IA
voritc and long tried principle of diris.
ion Of labor. They can see its applica.
cation to the great and extensive opera
tons Of business in al its utility, but
in so common n matter as schools, they
can perceive no necessity for it; here
is too small n matter for great principles,
1t is much like making cider. All they
conceive themselves called to do, is to
supply the hopper with apples and CT
deris produced rs a matter of course ;
they can give no further attention to it.
Now here is a school of sixty schol.
arS under one teacher. Often more
than this number in village districts.
Every parent is supposed to have some
choice in the studies which his children
are TO pursue. How many would agree
in these? Here is a diversity of opin-
ion. If the same studies should be
selected, how many would agree as TO
the kind Of books. If a teacher seeks
to introduce the books approved by the
committee or superintendent, how many
parents prefer to use the books they al.
ready possess. Here is another diver
siiy. Under these difficulties, how is q
teacher to class his scholars? The a.
mount of time which can he devoted to
each scholar depends upon the number
Of classes he has. If from the differ
cnt kinds of studies, or from the differ
ent kinds of books in the same studies.
a teacher can have but two or three
scholors in a class, making therefore,
many more classes, how small is the
of time which he can possibly
give to one class. Then if there are
many small children who are classed no
where, to whom individually he must
devote some time, how is the difficulty
Then how much more atten-
ion do SOME classes require than others.
How much more do some scholars re-
luire than others. How much more
some studies than others. Yet he is o.
Dliged to hear each one, attend to each
one, give each his allotted time, and his
Eye over the whole. What parent can
.hink of these for a moment and not be
surprised that his child has learned any
What parent can have any
doubt that the labors of the teacher are
onerous and diverse beyond what he
conceived.
How easily can all this be remedied
if the community will set about it at
once and seriously. Let US have three
good schools at once-at least two for
he present, until we can have a third
one such as it should be.
In the lowest, or primary school,
should be sent all those children who
ire under a certain age, or who pursue
studies. For such IA school. Ell
her one or more, a woman should be
employed exclusively. 10 teacn such a
school, a woman is best adapted. In
such a school there is required n sym
Dathy between the teacher and taught
hat a nan does not afford. To such a
school and the subjects that should be
here taught, a maj cannot conline him
self, nor is he contented to do so. There
: much that is said about this sympa-
.hy that is lost to a business view of the
,ase and TO the community generally,
which it would be much wiser in us to
and take into the account, when
mind and not money is under consider
alton.
OF the secondary, or middle school
no more need be said at present, than
hat this school should be entered by
hose only who are qualified by the stud
les or training Of the other. Here may
and classification be car
ried to any practicable extent, about
more may be said at another time.
For the third or high school, the pres
Act Of the Legislature has now sup
piled this town with the very thing We
need. In the Academy, for which the
charter is given, We al find just what
We require in a high school to he used
district purposes as well as beyond
the district. How. many of u sons
and daughters, whom We have been ac-
customed TO send abroad, will find here
at their very doors all the instruction
that they sought abroad. How much
money will it not only ave to Us here,
but bring in TO Us from abroad, if we
take hold Of this and make it what it
should be. Not long ago | heard a far
mer declare pretty openly and warmly,
that il he was thus compelled to send
his sons abroad for an education, which
he might otherwise have had here, pro-
vided the people would do their duty,
he would send his money and his trade
along with them. lie would not do
business with a community who are so
blind 10 their cwn Interests. And was
not this man right in principle: Here
then is a door open for US, i'll this Act
for an Academy, which it would be well
tor Us not to shut, if We would 0 shu,
out by il the very best interest We have,