American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-12-19
educational.
tFrom the pennsvlvanla school .IouruaI)
Soldiers Orphan School.
SchOOl-RO0m Principles and
Rules.
(CoNTINUED.)

their studies without supplanting health
full seIf.eHort, to overcome as far as prac-
ticable the obstacles to combining indus
trial pursuits with intellectual culture,
and 20 secure to each pupil an equal adj
vantage in recitation, the following will
be the fundamental rules of instruction
in these schools -
l. The Principal Teacher shall not, as
a general rule, set task, or hear less
on, but shall cogJfne himselt to Tie giving
Of oral instruction and assistance IN the
study Of tie tertboohs, IN The main study
hall.
Every student has, on innumerable oc>
casions, felt the want of an intelligent,
kind and learned friend while struggling
with the difficulties of new study or
science, mot Of one to tell him every
thing, but to put him in the way to over
come those difficulties and pass through
those dark passages with which every
text book, no matter how good, does more
or less abound. Thousands of youth have
become disguised with study and lest
their interest in learning. inst for want
of such aid. And this aid it is, which
is indispensable to reconcile the extremes
OF the ancient mode of instruction which
was all oral, with the modern, which is
all text book, and retain the benefits of
both, and with them the interest of the
pupil in his work. Accordingly, it will
be the duty Of the Principal Teacher of
each Of these schools
1st. To afford to each pupil, in his
seat, and while studying his next lesson
for recitation on being requested by sig
nal or otherwise any needed explanation
suggestion, advice or aid, as the case may
need but always so impaired as at the
saue time to overcome the difficulty, yet
to do so in such manner as to cause the
pupil to exercise his own faculties as
much as possible in the effort.
2nd To send out the classes for reefs
tation to the Examining Assistants in the
Recitation rooms. in their order. and as
fnr as possible hv his oversight and as>
sistance, proparod for successful redIta
finn
3rd TO have reference, in his instruc
tione. more IN the comprehension of the
fundamental nrincinlos and ma n facts
involved in the lesson. than to mere mem
orized passages or minute details
4tb To receive reports daily or at sta
ted periods from the examining assistants
showing not only the condition of each
class but of each mind and the advance
N ent of each mind in each class so as
to be enabled to adapt his own oral in
struction and assistance to the condition
and wants of each.
5 Occasionally, when the state of the
study hall will permit, or when the Prin-
cipal Of the school can take his place
therein. to visit the class rooms during
recitation, in order to know how his AS,
sistants may be discharqing their duties
and to enable him to afford them needed
advice and instruction.
III. No T'ert or Lesson.boohs shall be
studied ercept IN school, and during school
hours nor, as general rule, shall any
tert book be dlioUed IN The hands of a
pupil. e.ecept IN the presence Of the teacher
If the value of the teachers presence
while the pupil is studying the lesson be
admitted. nothing need be added as to the
danger or loss of time and interest in
study consequent upon his absence. 1t
is therefore taken to be established that
all lessons should be studied in reach of
such aid But, in schools whose object
is to combine intellectual with industrial
training, and therefore in which as large
a portion OF time as possible is to be se-
cured for the former without interference
by the latter. the compact confinement Of
all study within certain hours and GER
tain place, becomes imperative. In fact
it is the indefinite mixture of the one with
the other and the leaving of both. to a
great extent, TO the students own choice
lor caprice as to ii me and place, that have
mainly prevented the success of most
manuel labor institutions. Still, in the
use of the Textbook, even under all prop
er restrictions, there are certain condi'
tions to be observed. Amongst these
are -
1st That few studies shall be pursued
at the same time by the same students
One at time till we'll mastered would
probably make the best scholars in each
but, inasmuch as we are omnivorous in
mind as well as stomach, AMI inasmueh
also as scheol,time life is short, three Or
four oay he pursued simultaneously =
What these shall be after the rudimental