The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-11-28

Secondly, Let us mention some of the evils
attendant upon this want of uniformity of text
books in our schools. The first evil resulting
from this want of uniformity in text books, is
imperfect classification. Every experienced teach
er knows the Importance of having his school
well classified 70 accomplish this, all the schol-
ars in the school studying the same branches
should have the same text books Then all
who are of the same degree of advancement in
any branch, may be assigned TO the same class,
and may have given them thelsame lesson to
prepare, and all may recite at the same time.
Now the object of recitation is to ascertain
whether each pupil in the class has properly
prepared his lesson, and whether he thoroughly
understands all the more dark and intricate
points in it. This may be determined by ask
ing questions, or by requiring each 70 give an
exhibition of his work upon the black board or
slate, and in this way cassof twenty or thir-
ty may be heard recitc in one-third OF the time
required to hear the same number with three
different series of text books. Again, respec-
table number of scbolsIs in a class seems to be
almost Indispensable, TO having a proper degree
of rivalry and lanaable emulation, which con-
tribute much to the interest OF the class, rs well
as to the advancement of the individual men-
begs of the same. Without uniformity of text
books, in most of our schools the organization
of such glasses is utterly impossible, and, in con-
sequence, the progress OF the scholars is greatly
retarded; for, instance, last winter year, in
visitation of schools, we found one school
with Sir agrq4amar5 classes, and only about ten
scholars studying that important branch. The
teacher complained that he had not sufficient
time to devote to each class, and the scholars
complained that they were learning but little, as
there was not sufficient time given them in which
to recte Often one single scholar is permitted
to constitute class and To consume one half
hour daily in recitation, just because the parents
refuse to procure text book the same as that
used by the balance of the school. Now, this
sail wrong, and never should be allowed or toll
Grated IN any school by either the teacher or
directors. 1t is no better than robbery, taking
the time which belongs to the entire school and
giving 1T TO a scholar who should be driven from
the school until he comes with the necessary
books. Wherewant Of uniformity OF text books
in any single branchs.s .sxisls TO any considerable
extent, is sufficient, itself, TO greatly mar the
harmony and hinder the success OF the school.
But. whore this want Of uniformity extends TO
the books used in almost every branch taught
in The school, where can there be any hope oi
much success on the part OF either teacaer OF
pupils? The most accomplished teacher can new
er bring order and harmony out of such cha
otic mass of incongruities. lie truly may toll
and labor, but to little purpose The school,
so far as Improvement is concerned, almost
might as well be closed, and the money thnse
pended be cast to the winds Of heaven The
limited time left to be devoted to each recitation
is only sufficient to hastily glance at the lesson,
or to pass it over without recitation, which Is
very frequently the case; and in this way, in-
stead of training the pupils to close inyestiga-
ton and thought, III the preparation OF their
lessons, we are only inculcating and training
them to habits of laxity and Incidence. They
soon. form the habit of skimming over their les
sons without properly understanding them, and
finally, they lose all interest in their studies,
and give themselves up to mischief and misrule
in the school. Hence the teacher often finds
the scholars who, at the opening of the term,
were attentive and obedient, before the close, to
be the most indolent and unruly in the school.
All this having sprung from the fact, that from
the multiplicity of books (and consequently OF
classes the teacher had not time to properly in
struct them in their studies. a,,l rqa Fa-i
Again, the want of uniformity of text books
in our schools is a source OF continual expense,
as well as of fault finding, to parents. The
books used in school by their children one term,
may not be the books required by the teacher
of the next term, and so on, ad infinitum thus
the parents who are willing to procure the ne
cessary books for their Children are subjected
to this continual expense of having to buy new
books almost every term for their children
and these again to he laid aside in their turn for
others; whilst the parents who refuse to pro-
cure the necessary books for their children, send
them 10 school and receive allthe attentions and
benefits of the school, without any expense for
books whatever. Is this just and right and
can directors be said to do their duty who will
tosPatc it2 a.iV Z ofii it-.'t- t,'4@l
Again. any teacher to be prepared to assign
essons, and TO give instruction from a text book
must be conversant with the contents of the
,inic. He must have mastcrel all the knotty |
md intricate points which it may contain, and
he book which docs not contain some is not /
worthy place in the school room; and he !
must be able to explain them. to his pupils on
application, or he will very soon lose their con-
idence and esteem. Now from the multiplicity |
# text books permitted to be used in some dis /
riots in the county, this would be utterly inns
possible for the young and comparatively inex7I
,erienced teacher to do. !. 1t would require him
Q be posted in all the text books which he may
hance to meet in his percgrinations through the
ounty as teacher; and hence he is often call
4 upon to give instruction from books with
glich. .he,is wholly unacquainted, and atie ddA'
les of his schoal will not aIlowiiim. the neces-
anytime to make ihitnsefcsufIieiently familiar
With all the textbooks he may chance to meet
N entering new schoolifni 20 'doli a S1- aq1'
Thirdly, What can be, done to remedy this
reat evil in our schools? The remedy by the
PROVISIONS OF the school law is wholly placed,