Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-03-14
lz9lQ9ATQQlllAe
Edited by \. SMITH, County Superintendent.
For the Educational Column.
Studying.

oNoA 114S'
Although many improvements in school
teaching have been made within the last
few years, there are yet many duties with
which teachers have not made themselves
acquainted which, at least, they do not
practically carry out. ! will here take q
brief glance ct one or two things which, |
think, L am correct in saying, large ma
jOrity of teachers too much overlook, viz :
the instruction of pupils as to the best meth
Ods to be adopted, and the best rules to be
followed in preparing their lessons. Of
course all teachers tell their pupils that if
they wish to learn and become good schol-
ars they must study, they must have their
lessons we'll prepared, and so on. In case
the assigned task has not been well prcpa-
red, some let it pass as though they did not
care (the truth is they do not care very
much) some spend many words in pictur
ing TO the pupil the beauties of having the
lessons at the tongues end and others ap-
pear to consider the birch as the great
means of bringing about an Improvement !;
while, perhaps, all of these either do not
think there is any one method Of study
preferable to another, or else they take it
for granted no instruction is needed in this
particular.
The same lesson mey be assigned to two
pupils of equal talents. Each may spend
half hours study upon it, and the one be
master Of it, while the other knows but
little abopt it, Why? Thc one acted on
the principle that, now is the time for this
tash; to occupy my mind, to command my
attention, and all the rest Of the world is
to be shut out the other scattered his half
hours labor through perhaps double that
length oftime, allowing every trifing circum-
stance around him, and many trivial thoughts
to draw his mind from that which should
have had its whole attention The result
is, the former, who carries out the psyche
logical truth, that the mind can exercise
its full force on only one object at time,
accomplishes far more than the latter, and
IL much less time. The greatest victory a
scholar can gain at the commencement of
his labors, and the one which will be Of
most benefit to him is, to get that command
Of his mind which will enable him to con-
ceutrate all its powers on whatever ne wish
es, and there keep them as long as he de-
sires. The great contrast in readiness of
scholars at recitation is owing more to their
different habits of study than to the diver
sity Of natura! talent But, says one, get
the pupils thoroughly interested in their
studies, and they will need but little urging
and advice to make suitable preparation for
recitation. True, but to accomplish this
in all cases is an impQssibility and from
the fact that we so ce1y Frequently fail in
this, we naturally resort to other resources.
The great mistake then made by so many
is, the laying OF TOO much stress on the
honor of brilliant recitation, thus strength
ening the erroneous idea so prevalent
among pupils, that they study to recite. A
practical knowledge of the best rules for
study is one of the greatest aids in causing
q pupil to become interested in his laborS.
TRY.