The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-12-12

have been teacher for many years. anc;
l think it is as important to know how to
teach as what to teach
l. 1t is important to get the pupil to love
YOU. You can do but little without it. The
fault OF many teachers is, they do not get their
scholars near them, and foster kind of aw-
ful respect. This they call dignity. Before
you can teach children you must get the sill
yer key Of kindness to unlock their hearts
and get their attention. Say, "Come We child
rem There are some good men who are OBJ
jects of adherence to children. You have
read the story Of two little bows who were
one day asked if they would like to 90 to
Heaven. and who, much to their teachers as
tonlshment. said they should not. When
they were asked why not" one of them said.
i should not like to go to Heaven, because
grandpa would be there. and would be sure
to say Get along boys, get along BOYS |
should not like to be along with grandpa" :"
For similar reason many children do not
like to be at school If teacher always
wears a sour look; if. with the least provoca
ton ne flies into passion, boxes the child's
ears or uses harsh language: or if ne is scold
ing and trctting. more or less, every dav. he
will soon drive his pupils from him. and make
1t impossible to do them any good. 1t is of
no avail to attempt teaching those who do
not love YOU. The sooner the teacher leaves
the school room the better, if he cannot COM
mand the love of his pupils When child
rem love the teacher they will learn ANYTHING
from him.
>. 1t Is necessary to get the scholars at
tcntion. Nothing is more important. The
teacher should make it his study to get the
undivided attention of every pupil at each
recitation. Come yc children. h,arLsu unto
me, is the language Of David appropriate
for the teacher to his classes. as they seat
themselves to rccitc what they have previous
ly H"ro"yhly studied. If they do not heark-
Ell YOU may talk to Illustrate and make plain.
but it will be to no purpose whatever. If
they do not give attention, Your lahor> will
be an unmcaninS drudScry to yourself and
your scholars too. I"n cou do no'hiny lriM-
/ om secWny Meir ntt,ntion That is lust
what cannot DO says one. This depends
upon yo",SsN Some always do it. and eve
~ teacher who knows hpw to teach doc, it.
If the teacher gives his pupils something
worth attending to, they will he sure TO at
tend. If his illustrations and explanations
are natural. and adapted to the subject
in hand, fresh, vigorous. energetic. plain and
simple, the pupils will h,arkcn. This rule
may not be universal. but it is nearly so.
Scraps of history, anecdotes and simple illus
trations from every day life may all contrib
ute to fix the scholars attention. The teach
er should have a fund Of them from which to
draw at sight. There is distinguished law
Yer of this State. who always commands at
tention as much from his incxprcssihlc, we'll
timed fund of anccdotc, as from his severe
logic and beautiful rhetoric Now If YOU are
Il good teacher. wherever YOU go. YOU will al
ways find something to make into IA talk to
tell your pupils and thereby fix their attcn-
ton. T. d. +.
JasSHmpsjr. Nor. Is. 1851.