Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-03-12
Educational.

TOWN sUPT OF COMMON SCHOOLS.

The school houses IN Montpelier are com
Portable, and some Of them in a very good
condition. In several schools there are too
many scholars, in two or three enough for
.wo schools. Some Of the higher schools
where the greatest wages are paid, are far the
easiest to manage and instruct--ha'c the
least number Of scholars and classos-ahd
tho host arranged. and more scholars from the
lower schools should be placed in these
The number of scholars in attendance the past
season ranges from l6 to 20.
The scholars are not classified as they
should be. and cannot be so long as there arc
so many varieties of books. In one school
heard ten scholars read and there were six
classes. In several there is a deficiency in
the number of books.
1t is to be hoped that the series of " Pro-
gressive Readers recommended 10y the SUI
perintendents Of this County will soon be in
use. These books are of a superior order,
and doubtless surpass in excellence any thing
yet used in this State
Another defect is a want of sufficient inter
est on the part Of parents. Schools are sell
dom, and by many never visited Some
schools have not been visited the present sea-
son by a single parent. They seem TO place
such implicit confidence in the teachers, that
they trust their children to their care for
months and not once see them in the school
house Would these farmers be willing to
lave any one take their Black Hawk or Nor
..an colts. and train them so long without
their seeing how they prosper suppose
they learn that their $4,000 colts are allow
I'd TO go just which way they ploase-and
when. or that they are abused. Would they
rest without seeing them Would your la
dies permit their flowers 10 be cultivated and
I,.s md ftsfiIu ID
sse thems Are NOT children Of more value
than colts and flowers;
The teachers for the Winters schools pass
cd good examination. some of them very
line. Most Of the schools arc of high order
Some few of the teachers are somewhat de-
icient in government
More attention should be given TO the
health and comfort Of the children and their
uhysical education. Tho " Courts have de-
cided that teachers are responsible for the
conduct of those scholars placed under their
are. nor only during the six hours per day
hey are engaged to instruct, but from the
time they leave home, in the morning till they
return at night. Proper attention to this
subject would prevent much trouble
School Committees tho they sometimes
may fail, should always attempt to procure
The best teachers that can be found.
1t is to be regretted that no more attention
Is paid to the morals of scholars Scarcely a
chool can be found anywhere, but that pro-
fanity is heard Let it not be supposed that
aectarianism should be taught, or religion as
a science-but that good morality should be
lnculcatcd by precept ana eNampie-that those
elementary principles OF Christianity win
which the Bible Is so repiete-should DC m
stillcd into their minds.
D IL. "A 4. L.. l.
We are well aware that montpelier mas pc
come kind OF "Scapc-Goat Tor many OF the
evils Of tho surrounding towns, and 1t Will
doubtless be Joyful day when they shall be
borne into the land Of torgetiulness Among
the many things charged upon MS stands pro-
miuent the deficiency of our schools. The
recent movements in regard to the Union
School will soon be fully appreciated by all.
The Capitol of Vermont, with her beautiful
sconery-her climate-her talent and wealth
should stand worthy Of her position in re-
gard to schools. Hereafter let the Assem-
bly, find here a " Model for the State. This
may be dono.-H ought 10 be done.
But let no one cherish the thought tha'
such schools can be sustained iree' we
would not have them, II they could bet Is
desirable that children and parents should
feel the worth OF such Instructions some
things are valued in proportion to what they
cost. Capital invested IN the cause OF Edu
cation-is better than Western lands or Bank
stock.
Money is not all that is needed. Ieacher'
in the highest sense of the term are neces-
sary--and it is an erroneous idea that expert
enced teachers are only required to instruct
IN the higher hranches-and the most adNanc
ed classes. Young children should have sucl
instructors. They should start highland
you arc compelled to have one poor, unqualI
cd, inexperienced tcacher--let such an one b
placed in charge of the most advanced schoo
where there is sufficient discernmont to Sc
and remedy the defects he may possess. A
least never suffer such teacher to hav
charge of the children whose minds are 81
susceptible. Elementary education is tn
most important of all-honce our primary dc
partmonts should not be overlooked Teach
ers of music, in order TO make finished mus
clans of their pupils, wish to begin with thcl
before they have had any wrong instructio
such is the fearful power of carly habit
When young gentlemen or ladies are to fms
their education the most'cxperioncod and 81
perior teachers the country can furnish al
sought--at whatever expense. This is a