Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-01-22
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Edited by A. SMITH. County Superintendent.
For the Educational Column
Daily Preparation of Teachers.


Although vast Improvement has been
made within tie last few years in our COM
mon schools, yet we all agree that there is
still much room for their further advance
ment; that there are vet many obstacles
to the complete success Of our noble Penn.
sylyania Common School System. Many
are the hours which have been spent in
tbcorizing upon the Obstacles, their causes
and their remedies; and, in our opinion,
achcrs have in many cases, Iccn too free
il attributing the causes to the indifference
and neglect Of others. 1t Is evident that
Advancement or Improvement in any par
ticular must be led 10y one individual or a
body Of individuals. In the improvement
Of common-School education, whose duty
Is it to take the lead? The teachers? 1t
not. whose is it? Should teachers, en-
rpussc, instead of only few, make the al
vance and continue earnestly tc strive and
lltor until they had removed all the OBJ
staclcs which lie in their path if they
should make themselves as nearly as posi-
lie truly worthy of their noble vocation,
they would find directors, parents and
friends, as general thing, actively second
ing their efforts, and many present COM
plants gradually dying away
One of the greatest hindrances to the
success OF the labors of very many teach
crs is a neglect to make daily preparation
for their classes. Normal schools, teachers
institutes and associations are different
channels through which the teacher may
seek Improvement; but, best of all, he has
a few hours each day to devote, it he will
eBlarglng the field of his knowledge
ID improving the discipline of his mind.
poftlaR II this time cannot be spent to
ter advantage than in making special
paration iog the coming recitations Of
ms respective classes The greatest draw
back to the life Of 4 school and the ad
vancemcnt of its members, is dull and un-
interesting recitations and how often has
the cause of such been attributed wholly
to the pupils, when, had the teacher made
proper search for it, no insignificant por
ton would have been found nearer home !.
We have said that the greatest drawback
to the life of school and the advancement
OF It's members, is dull and uninteresting
recltatons; to this we add that the princi-
pal cause OF this obstacle is, the teachers
neglect to make special preparation, for the
recitation himseE How can we expect a
class to be lively, interested and persever-
ing, when the teacher is dull, dry, perhaps
under the necessity of making constant
reference to the textbook during the reci-
tatlons, and without previously selected
store of explanations and illustrations for
the more difficult and important points p
If there is any teacher who is in the habit
OF thus coming before his classes, let him
give daily preparation 8 trial at least; let
hlm have everything relating to the recita-
tons at his tongues end, and he will not
be long in noticing the happy effects
which such course will have on the class
es.a and, consequently, on the school he
Will soon experience the increase of life,
interest and animation among the schol-
ars, and their greater respect and obedience
toward him. As the teacher is, so are his
classes