The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-01-10
SCHOOLS OF coLUmBiA COUNTY.

Schools, we copy The report which relates 10
the schools of Columbia county for the year
ending June 1st. 1855:
Immediately after the receipt of my ap.
poinimen, on the 9Th of January last, COM
menced visiting the schools of the county,
and continued steadily al that engagement un.
til the lst Of March, when the schools in this
county generally closed their terms. From
the number I had designed to visit in that
time, / was unable 10 spend as much time in
each school as wished, but noted the ex.
ercises Of the several classes, suggested i'm.
provemenls 10 the teachers, and, where /
thought il proper, addressed the scholars. In
some cases examined classes, but generally
wished 10 witness how the teacher taught, as
well as how the scholars studied and recled.
Ia less than those Two months visited three
fourhs Of the schools in the county. To ev-
cry instance endenvored TO have one or more
of The directors visi! the school with me, and
in more than one.half tie cases was SO ac-
companed.
Condition, Of the Sehoos--Most of the SCH ools
are In primitive condition, and nearly one.
fourth of The teachers have received certif.
Gates from necessity, rather than by merit
A number are unable to teach grammar or
geography. In but few schools is arithmetic
taught by classes, and number of school
houses are destitute of blackboard. Men.
tal arithmetic lie unknown to many OF our
teachers, at leas, so far as their practice show
ed and the higher mathematics are taught
only in few schools. The manner of teach
ing has generally been more stiff and me.
chanical than is desirable; and more from
the dull dead letter Of the task, than from the
living inspiration Of the spri, and soul of the
subject. ! find those teachers most success
ful who interest their pupils by familiar oral
explanations Of the lesson, and use the book
only for text.
In some schools did not find book with
any instructions for reading, with reference to
infection. cadence or modulalon but each
scholar seemed to have brought such stray
history or book Of adventures, as accident
threw in his way. / Iexplained to number
ofd;reclors and citizens The evils of this course.
and am pleased 10 find that, in many instan-
ces, directors, teachers and parents are now
cooperating 10 introduce uniformity of
books.
have introduced into the schools, gener.
ally, the plan Of reviewing studies. Some
teachers had already adopted it before my
visit. have urged the introduction OF rhe.
torica reading, grammar and geography into
schools where these studies were not taught,
and found sonic cases where they had been
thought only proper for high schools and SEM
inares. In a number of schools | formed
classes in photography, where only mechani-
cal and arbitrary spelling had been known.
Writing from diclation found to be ssnew
thing" in most schools; and in my visits late
ly, generally organized class, and Illus
tra:ed lesson before leaving the school
Reading in concer, scarcely found in any
school, and suggested il TO be used only for
obtaining proper com mand over, and modu-
lation of the voice, and as preparation for
learning music. Music found only in one
district, (Bloom,) bu hope that next winter l
shall find j: in others.
Grades-Therc were some good schools
in this county within the past year. For the
first time in the history of the common school
system we have had graded free schools, and
they have answered an excellent purpose. 1t
is only TO be regretted that the plan cannot
be introduced into sparseIy populated dis.
tricls. The directors of Bloom township, and
my predecessor in Office, are entitled 10 the
credit OF their successful introduction thus
far. f' - 'i "-r
Teachers Assoeiation-Soon after com.
menced visiting the schools, saw that more
good could bs done II an association ofteach.
ers could be formed so that proper interest
and ambiti on could be inspired, and all or
many of the lea0hors reached at once with
suggestions and Improvements. To tha, end
| called together the teachers of the county,
and in conjunction with the most intelligent
of them, organized "TEAcHERs' AssocIA.
TIoS," which has since held two meetings,
and is engaging the attention of all good teach.
ers ir the county. can see that il has al.
ready done some good.
Teachers Examinations Most of the teach.
ers had been examined by my predecessor
l have given tweniy-eight temporary and four
permanent certificates, and rejected but few
applicants. will make my appointments 10
meet and examine teachers in their districts
during the month before The opening of the
schools in The fall -.t.
Short 7srms.--It is a matter of great regret
that the terms of our schools are so short
Young men Of good education seek for more
permanent employment; and while some rc-
gard teaching as transition state 10 some
other pursuits OF life, they do not feel as much
interes! in the success and prosperity of their
schools as they would under other ciicum.
stances. ~ rl-- "-.f -
Female Teachers .--In summer our schools
are generally taught by females, for the rea-
sons that il is more economical, the scholars