Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-04-17
Schools at, Home,

Few persons realize how much may be DON
in thousand pleasant ways at home. "Let
parent make a companion of his child, con-
verse with him familiarity, put to him ques-
tons, answer inquiries, communicate facts,
the results Of his reading or observation to
awaken his curiosity, explain difficulties, the
meaning Of things, and the reason Of things
and all this In an easy, playful manner,
without seeming to impose task, and he
himself will be astonished at the progress
which will be made. The experiment is SO
simple that none need hesitate about its per-
Torrance The first important requisite is,
that there be mutual confidence between pa
rent and child then in every season, and at
every place, there may be such lessons and
recitations as shall benefit both imparting
new facts and principle to one, and elucida-
ting new views and giving them new force to
the other. If at the barn, the boy may be
required to give the principle ofraising water
by the pump, or some other question in n.y.
draulics if teaming or blowing, why the
work is performed easier when the team is
near the load than when father removed ; if
in the morning, when the grass is sprinkling
with pearly drops, how dew is depositef; or,
if In the silent and impressive evening hours,
why he is chilled in passing the valley and
finds again the genial warmth on ascending
the hill! When around the Preside, daugh-
tiers may state the principle upon which the
smoke ascends the chimney, and why the air
is warmest at the top o. the room. At an
other time, why the pitcher sweats in the
hot noon, or the " doug rises " in the pan.
BY thus observing events at they pass, we
are ai'coys at school; both old and young,
teachers and pupils in turn. A new enthu-
siaasm is daily kindled in the breast of each
other which new desires for improvement are
awakened, and new sources for it are devel.
oped at each recitation.
Often call the attention of children to the
scenes and objects about you. Winter has
its impressive lessons in the drcary aspect which
nature assumes, and naturally leads into ar
inquiry Of the motions of the planets and the
cause of cold. Nearly all the animals save
those dependent on the care of man have dis
appeared. A few tiny birds only, cheer thu
desoate scene. From whence did they come
and why lnger amid these bowling winds anc
driving SHOWS? Have they escaped from thu
appalling cold of Arctic regions, and fnt
this their temperate zone !! These are in
quirics Of deep interest to the young, and pro
litable subjects Of research Then look a
: the forms OF snow, examine the fakes with
magnifying glass, and find how past all hu
man art are the crystals Of which they ar
l formed, and how the wisdom of God is mani
fest in all his works.
: The season of Spring is school crowdc,
with questions demanding answers. Tn
swelling bud aud springing eaf;-what secrc
} power impeIs thems How gather nourish
ment how exhale, absorb respire. digest an,
, assume beautiful colors and forms? TIL
, friendly birds return Where have they beef
|, what oceans crossed and continents visited
r how travel by night or day, and with onl
, their own kind, or associated with others, ant
why did they leave us while their accustome
food was still abundant?
Summer has its lessons, too teeming wit
insect life, " each after its kind, I" ne,
world Of wonder to the intelligent inquirer
1t has
. -"ongues in trees,
Sermons In stones, music in running BROOKS
And good in everything"
! Then autumn comes, in sober russell claC
, and perlects the work begun, teaching US
perfect ourselves as season after rolls alon