Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-06-18
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Edlfrd by 4. SMITH County superintendent.
For the Educational Column.
Scenes in a School.

One fine morning in April, while I was
enjoying the delightful scenery of beau
tiful valley in the eastern part of this
State, was met by young gentleman
about twenty years of age who was walk
ing along cnergctically with basket un-
der his arm. AS he was quite talkativc,
we were soon engaged in conversation.
when he proved to be pedagogue,-
teacher at schoOlhouse which stood close
by. accepted an invitation to see his
school
The opening of school is a very impor-
tant part of the days proceedings. The
teachers looks and manners, as he meets
his pupils in the morning, at once exert IN
influence over them that is likely to mould
the spirit and temper of the school during
the entire day. The teacher who meets
his pupils in the morning feeling displeas-
ed, disconnected, and irrita5ed, may rest as
sured that
We'll * thrhodrug tremhoes learned 70 trace
TIA" dE disasters IN his morning face
IT. on the contrary, he he cheerful, earnest
and hopeful, his pupils will catch the in
spiration of his own enthusiasm and i'm
part lifa and interest to every exercise
Thoughts like these led me to think
should now have All opportunity to learn
something more Of the art OF opening
school we'll, and | was not disappointed
We arrived at the schoohouse at the
time for opening school; about score Of
Youngsters had preceded us and were hav-
ing some fine sport But the floor must
he swept yet, the teacher must brush his
boots, and attend to various other little
things before beginning the regular duties
of the day. In a short time the command
{ Get your books was proclaimed from head
quarters. The pupils soon took their seats.
Two Of the boys having a greater thirst
| for water than for knowledge asked leave
to bring a bucket of water 1t was gra-
ciously granted. I'VE have singing at the
opening Of the school, said the teacher
blandly 1t is rather natural for one who
has a few impractical ideas remaining in
his head to expect hymn to be sung; but
utility was the rule here. 'We'll now
sing the multiplication table, said the
teacher. 1t was sung, or rather screeched
at the top Of the voice. At the close of
this performance quite number of hands
were up. John, said the teacher address
ing one of the boys; John responded 'The
Grave of Washington Martha;' Mar
tha responds 'The Graves of the House
hold Sallie says Little Things FTom-
nv do they miss me at Home 'All
in favor of singing The Grave of Washing
ton raise hands, said the teacher. A few
hands went up. well, sing the Grave OF
Washington This isa piece of music whose
name alone would indicate that it should
be sung rather softly but this teacher is a
unitarian who evidently believes in vigor.
GUS physical exercise, especially exercise Of
the lungs and throat. 1t was 30 be ex.
pected, then, that the singing would be
vigorous, and so it was; it was uproarious
each pupil seemed to be anxious to outdc
all the others. A hymn was then sung in
a similar style, portion of the scriptures
was read, after which the teacher offered
a PRAYER In the midst of this exercise
the two boys came in with bucket of wa
ter, and being not particularly oppressed
with feelings of veneration, they thought
it would be best to finish the job on hand
SO the water was carried the whole length
of the schoolroom and put in its place or
the platform beside the teachers desk; at
ter this they took their seats, showing BY
| their GAIT that they had wholesome faltt
in that part of the First Reader which say
fOur feet were made to walk
A subsequent performance, dignihed b.
che teacher as an exercise in elocutlon, des
erves notice. Imagine selfconfident ped
agogue with a stick in hand, sundry letter