The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-11-18
valuable Suggestions to Parents ans,
Teachers.

J. d. lIoag. NJ d.. contributes an article &c
the Young Folks Advocate which contains some
important hints to parents Ond teachers. We
transfer to the columns Of the Journal few
paragraph hich ure worthy of much attention
! The following on the too common proctic OF
sending babies to school instead Of the nursery
will do for parents to read
81 regard the practice of sending children "a
school at as curly All ugc as is the custom with
some, merely to save themselves the trouble OF
! taking care of them, and thus conGning their
tender frames 10 the school room, aud burden.
ing the teacher with them before ii is possible
for him to benefit them to any extent. and Ia
king his care and attention from those whom he
can benefit, to be absurd aud ridiculous in the
extreme. The school house is not intended for
nursery, AMI to impose on a teacher those
whose tender years uquire maternal care and
protection, merely because by SO doing the
mother is relieved Of certain amount of care.
! is not only an imposition on the teacher, but
, deirauding the older scholars Of what Justly be-
longs to them.
81 have taught school in country villages
where apparently child who was old enough
10 walk was committed to my care and as such
schools are usually crowded, it was impossible
to do Justice to all, but in consequences of ha-
wing to act the part Of nurse as we'll as teacher,
some of the older ones had to be neglected"
Now read the advice given to teachers, for ii
is Just the thing ncedfu
"I regard it as the first duty of the teacher to
gain the confidence OF his pupils 1t is an easy
matter 10 do this; at least have always found
it So, and lay no claim to superior urbanity or
attability. This point gained, the next object is
to adopt ;hat course which will enable them to
learn with the greatest facility. Every point in
every study should be made as plain and com
prehensve to the mind of the child as possible
Merely going through the routine of the studies,
in hum-drum manner, and consuming the re-
quista number OF hours, is not sufficient. In
each study, as in war, the rule ought to be TO
take no step until the last one is conquered. -
Many teachers seem TO think that if their schol-
ars pursue the studies which their parents have
furnished them books for, ,thcirduty is discharged
Not SO in my opinion. Children should be taught
to think--to think for themselves. The teuc cher
ought to spend a part OF each day in familiar
conversation with his pupils on common sub
jects Of every day life, which too few of those
on the active stage of life understand. Half all
hour in ach halt day, devoted to this will do
much towards laying the foundation of subse.
quent knowledge, as well as storing the mind
with many important facts which wil never be
forgotten. Take an example, at time Sc: apart
guage, explain to the school the theory Of thun.
der and lightning. After his explanation has
been given, let him by questioning them, ascer-
tain how thoroughly they understand him. At
another time let him take the theory Of the for
nation of the clouds aud of rain, and pursue
the same course. After having pursued this
course for a while, let him assign to different
scholars the task of elucidating different sub
jects, giving them time to inform themselves
val tInir
at the commencement of the week say to them,
Charles. on next Friday | wish you to explain
TO the school the theory of thunder and light
ning ;-llariet, wish you TO explain the theo-
ry of the formation Of clouds and Of rain -
Jane, wish you to explain the formation OF an
imal heat in the human system MARY, to you
| assign the task OF giving the process of diges-
tion and the torna ion of blood. | wish each
Of you to do your best. Remember what have
told you on these subjects. You have time to
think of them and you are at liberty to ask me
any question relative to them at any proper
time; or to ask your parents or other friends,
or to consult any book you wish
"Incalculable will be the advantages derived
from such course us this, and the teacher who
pursues it, or a similar one can scarcely fail TO
be rewarded by the rapid advancement Cf his
pupils, and by their lasting gratitude III after life.
| treasure among my choicest archives, remark
OF one of my pupils long after she had ceased
to sustain that relation, and when occupying
an honorable and useful position, when referring
to my humble laborS as her teac cher, she remark
ed: can never be grateful enough 10 him for
teachira me to thiuk,'
Il have remarked that it is the duty of the
tea cher to elucidae e' cry study, and render it
as plain and comprehensive as possible. 1t is
not enough that there rules in the book The
style of the author Of The t-book may not be
comprehcndrd by oil but it is the duty of the
teacher to adapt his method Of explanation to
the capacities OF every child. ! never could
symputhizs with those teachers who find it irk
some to talk and explain the studies of their
pupils. To me il has always been IA delight !;
nor am satisfied until kHolO that they under
stand them. In order to be certain OF this of
ten require each in a class to explain question
OF a problem to mel parsonating the dullest Of
the class AMI | know if they can explain it,
they must understand it. do not consider 1t
sufficient that my scholars know that they have
to do certain things but | wish them to know
why they do So
al solemnly aver, would prefer to have
child of mine taught in this way only through
the five funIamenia rules of arithmetic, than to
20 through tbs whole book doz'u times and
not be able 10 give reason for every step taken
It is too much tn case with teachers, To Judge
of their pupils Advancement moro by the space
zone over lhau by the thorou5hGesS. Superb.
ciblity may do for show, bu, will not answer
for practical purposes, Make children thor
oughly understand the principle, and they will
readily learn to make the application.
+" In relation to government, my experience
has satisfied me that senIleness combined with
Grmness, is the best meho. Good order is al
all times indispensable, and in order to SECURE
that the best a,ld most cf.ctual method is TO m
ercst the scholar in that fact, and induce spir
it os emulation
RrrRIBUuoN.- Lawrence Republican rs.
.o,t, ,ho, Marin \VIita WIN Shot Fred IlrOwn