The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-03-26
Forthe Spirit ef Democracy.
Teachers Institute.

"'AN Dte<'N hSs'i 10 Caii dCtOfltDilSu
Forthe Spirit Of Democracy.
Teachers INSTITUTE.
; This organization is an essential elemen
in the prosecution of the general interest
of education in this county. 1t is neces
sary, however, that its movements be pro
gressive-that its members labor to i'm
prove all the powers of correct reasoning
on the various modern sciences-and t.
improve the modes of instruction, now in
use. We know that improvements have
been made, in the last ten years, not only
in the mode of teaching, but in the scien-
tific attainments of teachers. The wri.
ter has been connected with the profes.
sion during that time, and is therefore ac-
quainted with the educational history ol
this county. During this time, it was not
uncommon TO notice the following text
books i'll the same eschool-spelling-
ted States, Cobb's, Webster's, and Me-
Guffey -Reading-histories romances,
biographies, &c. Slocum's.
Western calculator, Cobb's, and Rays.
The wages of teachers varied from twelve
10 fifteen dollars month, or in other
words, from thirty-six to forty-fiYe dollars
4 per annum. The Intelligent reader may
contrast the past with the present. But
we would not convey the idea that our
school system is completed. 1t is nelan-
choly to witness the apathy and incidence
of parents and children on the subject of
school--for example, a teachers register
may represent 60 scholars enrolled, with
25 or 80 average daily attendance. What
teacher can accomplish the expectations
| of the public under this economy? Irreg-
nlar attendance, and the neglect of school
examinations, by the proper authorities,
constitute two prominent evils in the school
system. Much has been said upon school
governnlent-upon the vip.ue of The rod,
as well as the. milder means. We offer,
for the consideration of the public the fol-
lowing conclusions. from long experience
in the school room: A system of grada-
tion, from the primary to the higher de-
partments. These grades cannot be taught
successfully in one room at the same time.
The teachers mind is too much distract
ed by multiplicity of recitations- -.all is
confusion, and order, SO desirable in school
room, cannot be secured. The homes
ofpromotion from one grade to another,
createsNa a constant stimulus to exertion by
the scholars. Tie highest aspirations
that spring in tie mind struggles amid
difficulties, to reach the crowning point.
But it may be urged how can this be ac-
complished in the rural district? We an
swer, that where district sustaigs six or
seven months school, it should belliyided
into winter and summer session-the spef-
ing and primary reading classes should
attend during the summer, while those in
the highest course of reading, embrace
ing also arithmetic, geography and gram
mar should be confined to the winter ses-
sion. The two grades should be taught
by the same teacher! The first grade
should not be permitted to attend the
winter session.
1t willbe the steady aim of this organ
ization to guard the interest of school,
and report the result of their iayestiga-
tions through the public journals.
as the agricultural season advances
the minds of some teachers will doubtless
be directed to the subject. The business
OF teaching is not competent to secure q |
profession therefore. many must havo
their minds divided by other interests, |
Notwithstanding, We hope teachers will
not forget the approaching session of the !
Institute, from which much lasting good /
has been derived.
BY an examination of the school COM
missioners report, for 1854 Monroe coun-
to represents the following educational
statistics: Number of Scholars who can
read and write. 400; photography, L.
i27; arithmetic, 1876; grammar, el4; I
geography, SGT; algebra, 80; geometry.
3; chemistry, A; philosophy, lS; astro,a-
omy, 5; history l9
Scholars eurolled in common schools.
males, 1000; females, 1880. In the
'rithtnetical department, our county is
qHoa to many Of the richer counties and
Il advance of other sections of the State.
n all the studies but little Inferior to Bel
mont.
InISI6 Thomas jefferson held the fol.
owing language on the subject of popuss
ar education: sIfa nation e2usrts to]
4