The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-02-25
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think anI act just as others do, without
investigating for themselves. This we
should eyer guard against.
Again Ee should endearor BY qaes-
ttoning and illustrations, no! only to JIG
pH facts IN the mind, but to cause those
ftrcts to be digested, as the food is IN the
stonlack, go;sg out SO as to farps The
psind itseJ:
\ recitation should be something more
than mere formal recital of what has
been learned IN the book The truths OF
every lesson learned, should by some
means be impressed on the mind so as
reeer 10 be torgotten.
This we can many times accomplish
by means of simple illustrations and salt
qJle apparatus.
Again lie should ercite wholesonae
enulatioa IN our schoa}s. Nothing will
operate more cffectually upon the minds
of some pupils, than a proper desire to ex-
gel, They should be excited by noble
ambition. This depends almost wholly
on the Teacher If he manifests desire
for them 10 excel, and an interest in their
studies, the school will soon be moved by
the same spirit.
To effect all this, IRE shouM haze some
system Or plan to acorh upon. Many,
especially at our common schools, obtain
all the education they ever possess, with
out order or system, studying whatever
they may happen to fancy, or whatever
seems most convenient at the time. AS
yell might the carpenter attempt to con-
struct building without order or arrange
ment. 1t is certainly the teachers duty
to arrange and assign the branches each
scholar should study, and then he should
adopt some plan Of teaching, and necer
fail to carry it out.
We can see many difficulties to over
eome before we can accomplish this
The great dissimularity of textbooks,
prevents our classifying scholars as we
deem best for them. Irregular attend
ance of scholars, aud far more than all,
the short time we have charge Of our
school, We can, in one term get school
well arranged-each scholar pursuing
what seems best adapted to his capacity,
when we must resign our place to be tili=
ed by another, who, perhaps will undo
what we have done, or teach upon entire
ly different plan, thus at once destroy
ing the effect Of our labors, and prevent
ing any lasting benefit to the scholars,
This constant change of teachers we can
not prevent, but can we not at our Insti-
tutes and Associations adopt similar plans
of teaching, so that if changes are made,
the system we adopt may be continued!
We may conclude then that the great
work of elevating the common schools to
the intellectual rank they should reach,
rests with us, the teachers. We alone
can prevent the farther extension of the
evils resulting from the superficial educa-
tion Of the masses of our people.
The great exertlons that are being
made by our Go. Supt. and other literary
men will not effect this. 1t is oar duty
to adopt, and put in practice, measures
devised for improvement in teaching.
All that others can do will not make those
in our schools thorough, thinking schol-
ars. Is not the object to he attained
worthy to incite us to constant, unccasing
exertions? Let us then become thorough
teachers, faithfully instilling the truths Of
every Lesson into the minds of our pupils
Let us rouse up and bring into action all
their faculties. We must teach them to
ttirlk, to think for themselves. Ours is
not an easy quiet task. Q, no! We
must work-zwork energetically and con
stantly. We must awaken an interest in
all we teach, rouse the ambition, and show
the scholar that he TOO has something to
do. The work is great, but are we not
able to accomplish it ? Let Us commence
now, and not cease our endeavors till the
common schools rank first with the literary
Institutions of our country, and, methinks,
we shall receive the gratitude of all.
Shall We not try!
Rev. c. M. Blake then delivered an
able lecture on the subject of History.
Motloned to tender vote OF thanks to
Rev. Mr.. Blake, for his instructive and
interesting address and also to the essay
SITS, and that copy of each be requested
for publication. Carried.
The following Res. was offered. Re
solved that the members of the Associa-
ton do most cordially thank the inhabi-
tants of Lewisville and vicinity for the
hospitality they have shown during the
meeting of the Association. Unanimous
ly adopted
Motioned to adjourn, when we adjourn,
70 meet at Oswayo Village at 10 A.
M., on the last Thursday of May next, to
hold sessions as follows, viz: Thursday,