Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-04-29


give so much Of his time as is necessary, II
not his undivided time. Then he can teach
them how to hold the pen anu can correct
their bad habits. While writing is attended
to, it should be the study.
1t is "a very frequent fault for the school to
be very noisy, after being dismissed. Some
times there has been so much disturbance
that | could not with any comfort converse
with the teacher. Says Mr.. Burnham, IN
the las. State Report, 1.-THE pupils when
dismissed, rush from the school room, dis
regarding the rules of proprIety, we may
infer that the teacher is very far from what
he ought TO be, and will make any thing OF
his boys but men,"
| observe that the influence Of our Fall
School IS to introduce Algebra, Philosophy
and such branches, more extensively Into
our common schools. And there is reason
to fear that these higher studies will dImln-
ish the interest in the fundamental branch
es prescribed by law; and that the effect
will be to select a teacher who will instruct
| in these studies, rather than one skilled III
teaching the elementary branches. The com
mon school was established to give thoro'
knowledge Of Reading, Spelling, Writing,
Geography, Arithmetic and Grammar, aud
bu no means should scholar be permitted
to neglect these, and pursue the higher
branches. By all means should thorough
aud sufficient attention be given to what
the law pgescribes, and first Of all should
| .,,, 40 al snhal
! Yet would not exclude the higher branch
es even from the common school; and il
the school is divided into the primary and
higher departments, which, as remarked
the last year in my report, we have an ex-
ceIlent opportunity to do. by uniting the
two village districts, there is still better
opportunity for variety of studies. If the
common school is properly arranged, and
the books uniform, there will be tine tc
instruct those prepared for it in the higher
branches. 1t may be done to advantage
aud even so as to help the pupils forward
in the usual studies. Instead of the small
Ter scholars being ever drilled in reading
and spelling, they may make the more pro-
gress III these by lesson in the primary
Geography, or the primary Arithmetic, OF
the primary Philosophy, or the primary
History. The older pupils may be helped
to understand Arithmetic by the stud oil
Algebra. This will be more profitable tt
them than to study the Arithmetic through
aud through and through again. The stu
dlous pupils will also find time for Natural
Philosophy Mental Philosophy and Physl-
ology. Their minds may need such range
Of study. Natural Philosophy, Algebra
Philosophy, History, the Constitution Of
the United States, perhaps Mental PhlIoso'
phy,--hese probably comprise all the
higher studies, which should come into
the common school. EUery kind of sci
ence and language should by no means
be introduced And these may not be prof
liable in all schools, nor any one of them
in some schools many are not prepared
for them. While every common school
should keep faithful to its original design
of instructing in the fundamental branches
it is desirable to give 1t all the advancement
and proficiency 1t will healthily bear. We
should seek to elevate our schools in all ex
ceIence.
The excellent Geography and Geology o
Vermont, by Zadock Thompson, should b,
studied in all our schools An estimabIt
inhabtant Of this town has Just published
a Geographical and Historical Poem o
Vermont, which is just the thing for tht
younger children to learn. 1t contains
much information in small compass, and it
pleasing verse. 1t will be fine exercise
of the memory, and pleasant recreation
for tile children to commit it, 1t consist.
of seventy-seven verses of four lines each
1t would be an excellent study for the win
ter evening, and might be pursued while
keeping the hands busy.
] will make one more extract from the
last Report of the State Superintendent
Whatever kind or quality of school book.
is used, the Superintendent is happy to be
able to state, that there is growing sent
ment in our community, that the Bible
should be read daily in our schools, either
by the teacher or the scholars. respec,
for the Sacred Volume and lis author should
early be instiled into the minds of our
youth. If perfection in human society is
ever attained, it will be by universal intelli
gence, sanct6ed by the Gospel ofthe Grace
of God" He adds, children should be
taught to love their country, its institutions
and laws Hence the Constitution of oul
State, aud of the United States. should be
studied by the most advanced scholars o.
our district schools"
A few words to parents the common
school is yours. The children who attend
it are yours The school will be what YOU
make it. The State, the Institute, the Su.
perntendent, may assist you; but they ctn.
not, they would not, control the school
That is your property. You may make it
valuable by all the helps they afforI you
OF you may neglect all care OF your SC hooI
all effort to improve it, ali the assistance
offered you, aud make it worthless. Others
may do what they can but if they do not
succeed IN interesting you in the common
school, their labors will be in vain. We
appeal then to yOU, and ask you to make
the school worth all it can be to your chill
drenSd Grudge not expense to provide them
with good house, a good teacher, and suit
able books. Withhold MOI what will be of
real benefit TO your school, Do not Law out
your money on Qulxotlc experimentation
what you are convinced will not profit it.
But be generous in making the school the
most useful and happy; for here your chill
dren are preparing aud fashioning them.
selves to be men and women. Here thew
form their haoits of study and thought and
conduct.
Twill close with some observations on the
individual schools
The schools of this town suffer very
greatly from the loss of most of the excel.
lent corps of female teachers, on which we
have so long relied. We have some prom-