Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-30

IH0rnf Instruction The Scriptures are daily
read in all our schools, except 26 other de-
votlonal exercises in 30 f; moral instruction by
example in So.
Some Branches. English grammar and in
tellectual arithmetic received more attention
the past year than ever before, though in a
number of schools they are Iamentably neg
lected excuse, deficiency of looks. Teach
ers should have the element within themselves
and give instructions without books, instead
of forever complaining of want of them.
COmpositiOH.--Ths very important branch of
education is much neglected though few
! teachers deserve credit for requiring it Of
their more advanced pupils twice each week
| With another few il is mere farce they re-
quire something to be written, but give no
further attention to it.
Progress.-With l2exccptions teachers have
given better satisfaction than ! thought they
could do. There being so many beginners
did not look for great things. One fact how
ever discovered, that few in their first term
gave more complete satisfaction, than like
number with considerable experience. The
latter class will not presume feel themselves
much hattered by this announcement.
ErGminati0ns.-My practice is to combine
the oral with the written, but chiefly the for
mer. After the oral exercise in English
Grammar, [ give a few correct and a few in
correct sentences to each teacher, or slips of
paper, and require them to tell me and the
audience, all they know about them, or what
they would require of their pupils in like cases.
So in Written Arithmetic, require solution
on paper, have the teachers reproduce the
questions problems to the audience togeth-
er with The solutions and the reasons there for.
L encourage the timid. commence with easy
questions and generally have about the same
kind for the whole class. True, if a teacher
answer with great facility, PROFOUND some
thing of greater difficulty. If Il teacher
answer an easy UUpStjOn with Oniy he. game
facility that another answers a more difficulty
one, | do not give the former as high a figure
as the latter. NJ reasons for adopting this
course have been derived from experience.
Quaiifcations.--I do not think the average
estimate of teachers qualifications this year is
so good as last, though some are decidedly
better. Ny reason is so many new and mex
perienced candidates in the profession.
FemafeS.-The proportion of fem lies en-
ployed and result of their teaching com
pared with last year remains about the same
though 10 have better scholarship and teach
with greater success than last year.
Summer Sch0oIs.-Seven Districts had sum-
mer schools, either by subscription or other
wise. 1t is eXpedicnt and is desirable tn It
summer schools where they have tn EN- should
commence after harvest and be continued
through the winter under charge of the same
teacher. This frequent changing of teachers
is great hindrance to the progress of our
frequent changes.
Boarding rOund.-Thc plan Of s'boarding
round' has bad effect upon teachers aud
scholars. 1t is expected that teachers will
converse in every family, and if they do to
any great extent, their studies must be neglect.
ed and if their studies are neglected the
schools must suffer. Besides it is next to i'm
possible IN this county for females to board
round consequently their services must be dis
pensed with in winter. Five dollars per month
among farmers is about fair price for board.
Troublous hmes.-The troubles of the times
have not effected injuriousy public sentiment
in respect to the importance OF education.
though the past year some thought we could
not possibly raise funds sufficient to pay
teachers aud were willing to dispense with
schools for the present. Directors however
persevered and opened them in every District
in the county with two exceptions; the peo-
pie acquiesced and all now appear satisfied. ?
Prospects. (our staple) having
brought a good pric-, the growing crops give
evidence Of an abundance harvest, and this
gigantic, wicked and causeless rebellion hav-
ing probably reached its meridian, prospects
have frightened and schools will be opened
heretofore throughout the county.
Our IGdnts.-We want more good teachers,
a greater length Of school term, more regular
attendance of pupils, and better co-opera-
tion Of parents with teachers TO secure and
maintain good government
DefauHtng DistriCts.-Ferguson and Law
renee had schools in operation within the
year; and Woodward only one out of three
in that district; they of course forfeit their
share Of State munificence; | do not expect
reports from those Districts.
Suggestioas.-I believe great good would re-
suit, If teachers were required to make month
ly reports of their schools TO the county Su-
perintendent, as that officer is now required
to do to the central office. | do not mean
that any of the duties of that officer would or
should be diminished by his proposal; on the
contrary they would be increased. | hold
it would be good plan in this county, where
the best teachers are not abundant, to have
the same teacher take charge of two schools
on alternate days, in all localities where
schools are not too remote from each other.
About one third OF our teaching force could
be dispensed with, the best being retained.
The term being extended over period Of
eight months teachers could afford to take
little less wages than where the term is only
four months. There need be no excuse for
absence children having half their time to
labor and do what was needful to be done at
home.
Policy roposed.-Teachers having failed to
respond to my invitation for normal instruc-
ton, my plans now are to unite two or three
adjoining Districts, when practicable, and
give instructions in some branches, at the
close of examinations, and to encourage or
insist upon teachers reading and studying
more educational works, they being now quite
abundant. JESSE BRooMALL,
Curwensville, June, 1862. Co. Supt.
,.
1t NAV be perhaps hard TO decide which is
the most destructiye--the mortar in the battle
field, or the mortar in the drug store.
=
A wap lent a clergyman horse which ran