The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-29
WO0DSFIELD, MONROE COUNTY, OHIO APRIL 90 1863

correction in pronunciation is made by
the teacher, the pupil fails also to rid
himself of the wrong idea A gentle
man relates a case which occurred in his
own childhood, which will illustrate this.
He was reading one day, something about
the word patriarchs, and after stumbling
at the hard word, finally called it par
trtdges. The teacher at once set him
right, as to the pronunciation, sbut never
dreamed of telling him the meaning of
the word. He therefore continued to as
sociate the idea of bird with it. Not long
afterwards he came to the word again,
when he exclaimed, "here is one of these
queer fowls again. I forgot what you
call it. Even to the latest day of his
life this gentleman said he could not rid
himself of the association of fowls with
the word patriarchs. See to it then that
your pupils have right conceptions, as
well as right words. All practical .wri-
tors on education now agree that the best
mode of teaching geography is to begin
e home. teaching first the geography of
his own home and vicinity, then of the
township and county and state-illustrat-
ing each with maps drawn upon the black
board by yourself, and upon the slates
by the pupils. Always illustrate the
definitions in geography, by pointing out
to the pupils brooks, rivers, ponds, lakes,
islands, bays &C.. that they have seen.
AS your pupils advance in Geography
continue the history of the country with
its location and description. In teaching
Grammar commences with language itself,
not with the dry unmeaning definitions
and abstract rules. Let him learn to dis
tinguish nouns and adjectives, and verbs,
&C., before he learns their definitions
Teach him that the, English language
controls the Grammar and gives its laws
of usage-that Grammar is only an ar
rangement of these laws. That Grammar
obeys the language, and not language the
Grammar. In Arithmetic teach Mental
before Written, and principles giving illus
trations before rules. Mental Arithmetic
|cultivates the memory and the powers Of
conception and reasoning. 1t also gives
habits of promptitude. presence of mind
and mental activity, exactness and order.
In one word, keep constantly in view in
every branch that you teach, to give that
kind of instruction that will be useful in
the life of those who are taught. Re-
member that your chief aim as teachers
should be to fit the boys and girls under
your care to become useful, intelligent
men and women. Teach them to think
for themselves. and communicate wha
they learn and think to others. Abov,
all, let your teaching and example trait
your pupils in moarlity and virtue ant
religion Teach them to venerate tina
which is great and holy, and to do goo'
because it is right, and will please thei
Heavenly Father.
Remember that you WELD might,
power for good or evil. Each grain o
truth or falsehood, which you SOW in tn
minds of the pupils under your care, vii
multiply itself indefinitely throughou
eternity The thistle down, from asingl
thistle, if left unchecked will soonsprea
the weed over whole farm Keep ou
/ the weed by sowing and cultivating th
useful grain. Yes is grave responsi
bility that rests upon you teachers. Til
great majority of the next generation
confded to your care. They will becom
what you make them. First impression
4 are all powerful. 4roa oef
The mind, impressible and soft, with ease
Imbibes and copies what she hears and see
And through life's labrynth holds fast the clu
n rbat Education gives her, false or true.