The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-03-25
For the Jeiiersonian Democrat.
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teachers vocation, now sit down to give
you few additional thoughts to what has
already been said ; and perhaps what shall
communicate will not partake SO much of
tho nature of thoughts" as ".facts." Il
propose giving you some of my experience
as schoolteachor with the view in mind
shat it may benefit { ii certainly cannot
harm) some, who have had little. much or
no experience in this common but vastly
important enterprise. If what may trans.
fer shall not benefit others, it may draw
from thom remarks and suggestions that
will be of benefit to mo. With this double
purpose before mo then. writo.
"Ordor is Heavens first law and before
wo can teach (not keep school successfully,
VIC must have order, and maintain it. 1t is
conceded by all teachers, | believe, that
whispering is tho one great cause of confu-
sion and disorder in our common schools.--I
This being tho case, something should be
done to avort it. And, let mo ask, what
need has one scholar of whispering to an
other concerning his lessons, or any thing
that may bo transpiring? What right has
he to intrude upon the time of his fellow
scholar by asking qucstions,to to answer which
is tho teachers duty alone ? say ho has
no right so 10 do; and for that reason have
prohibited whispering entirely, without
pcrmission,) ondeavoring to perform the
duty of tho teacher myseG by answering
inquiries, and impartiug information, which
so many, if allowed to whisper, steal from
thoir ghbDr-stuGents. Let them whisper
at recess, and do up their frivolous convers-
ing ; but in school timo lot tho whispering
cease. In laying down this rulo for the
prohibition of communications, it is nccessa.
ry that much discretion should be exercised
The teacher as he ontors his school. should.
the first of al, strive to gain the good will of
his pupils, and win their affections. This
dono, he may reason tho matter with them,
talk to them of tho uselessncss of commu-
| nications in study-hours, appeal to their
better feelings, and in nine cases out of ten,
they will vote to havo no Whispering; be-
Loving with thoir teacher, that much of tho
success of the school depends on its being
prohibited. This method have practicod
whcrovor | have taught,and whether among
tho great or tho small tho short or tho tall,
have never failed of success. Thus l have
rid myself of disturbance so common, and
so deloterious to the prosperity of our
schools.
In regard to that much neglected branch
of our education, reading. | adhere to this
solf'evidcnt principle that scholars must
be able to road one stanza wol before they
can read more well. And to break up this
sing song tone, which VIC almost invariably
find in our district schools, select piece
of fiery nature, or one, which, would they
perform it we'll, they must enter into tho
spirit of, and adopt the feelings of the per-
sons represented. In my junior classes, l
have each one read the Same sentence or
verse, after l havo read it, requiring them
in every instance to give tho infections and
emphasis as l do; thus avoiding that dull
monotony of tone, into which tho youth so
ofton fall. My advanced classes have ex-
orcised once a day for two weeks, on "The
Parting of Marmion and Douglas" in
cGuffoy's Fifth Reader" First reading
tho pioce myself; defining words they can.
not understand; describing tho old Scottish
Castle, and the great trench which surround
cd it; tho iron portcuIlis, and the might.
, draw-bridge; picturing out as vividly a
possible to their minds the characters o
those individuals, and tho circumstances
, that surrounded them. Then, asking then
to look on tho scone as it is represented
and when porsonatng Marmion or Douglas
> adopt his spirit and as
Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire,
And shook his very frame for ire"
shake; and let tho most fierce anger D
d manifested in word, look and action, as W
use the language of Lord Marmion in hi
reply to tho old Seer. In this way hav
succeeded in breaking up, { not avoiding) t
a great extent, tho monotone which was S
= prevelant, and pupils are becoming goo
readers. But, doubtless, have flied spac
, enough. Ergo, close, hoping to have a
I opportunity ere long of furnishing you wit
t another article, pertaining to " How Tcac
School. in which will be noticed the impart
ing of knowledge in some other branches.
Newburgh, Ohio. MORAN.