Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-01-15
For the JOURNAL.
SCHOOL PAPERS. NO. A.
A Chapter of Difficulties.


ing nor manifesting his manhood, who,
through feebleness of spirit, or to excite
pity, frets and complains concerning his
trials. Least Of all should q man com
plain of the hardships and vexations Of
position which he has voluntarily assum-
ed. Such exhibitions of feebleeness may
win our compassion, or they may excite
disgust or indignation, bat they can gain
no honor. Difficulties must, however, be
understood in order to be overcome, and
tho hindrance in gaining the object sought
in a good school should be clearly COM
pretended by the public, as well as by
the teacher. This is our only apology
for writing the word, difficulty.
The enc standing trouble, ever repeat
ed in stale, cant phraseology, of "getting
along" with SO many pupils of diverse
dispositions, we pass by without a word.
The difficulty of "getting along" with
pupils is not to be mentioned beside that
of pleasing parents, and the latter is of
little moment when compared with the
real difficulties of carrying a school along
in a Uniform and rapid course Of devel-
opment and culture. We shall attempt,
in This article. not q solution of any of
the practical problems of school teaching,
but their simple statement.
l. The grading.-Master A. is prepar-
cd for grade No. in Arithmetic, but
knows nothing of Geography. Master
B. cannot repeat the multiplication table
nor bound his own State, but has read
in the Fifth Reader. Master c. wishes
to study Latin and Astronomy, but
cannot distinguish, in English, verb
from a noun, nor tell the diameter OF
the earth. Miss D. has advanced be-
word the common branches. and, also,
beyond all care for spelling, capital let
tiers. and punctuation marks. Continue
q list in this style five times through the
alphabet, and then grade them, and
when they are graded to your oar"
satisfaction, please let us know it.
2. We will suppose them graded
and will now step into the highest
grade. "Principal, please to show us
your programme of Rotations" Here
we find Reading. Writing. Spelling,
Compositions, Geography, two classes
Grammer, do, Algebra, do, Latin, do,
History, Physiology, Geometry, Chem
istry, Astronomy, and general exercises
We exclaim, in surprise: "My dear sir.
do you expect to accomplish anything
with so many classes3 You need New
ton, Agassiz, Cuyier. and Prof. Anthem
to help you through all this" "Bat'
gentlemen" he replies, "what am L to
doi am not at liberty to turn them
away-they are permitted to choose
their studies" Poor follow! he tolls on,
trying to do the work of five learned
Profs. No wonder if his name is not
inscribed on the scroll Of fame, or if an
early grave receives him.
9. Let us notice some Of the classes
Here are grouped together the strong and
the feeble, the laborious and the indolent.
They cannot be separated without increas-
ING the number Of classes, already twice
too many. Master A. can learn twice as
fast as Master B., and loves to study twice
rs we'll. Master G. never learns lesson
till he is kept after school. Master D. has
been over the subject three times. and
now wishes hasty review. Reader,
could you keep the class together, neither
crowding the sluggish nor curbing the
impetuous and intelligent 7 If so, we
surrender the wand of the pedagogue at
discretion.
4. Let us drop in on Friday afternoon.
That is a favorable hour for interest, 9TH
erwise the editor would not have chosen
it. Certainly every intelligent young
man and woman will be ready for that
practice in speaking and writing which is
especially demanded in American society.
A. Satisfies our expectation. His decla-
nation is well committed, and pro-
nouncsd in brave, manly way. B. is
"not prepared" for he does not design
to be public speaker" Miss G. propo-
SEES to be lady, and therefore, with be-
coming taste and honor, selects her COM
position from &c Godey's Ladies Book.
Our heart sinks-wo feel that we have
seen an end of all perfection.
5. We do not wish to draw the veil