Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-10-05
Our Common Schools.

people IN making improvements Ill lle
construction of school houses; yet
much more may, and ought, to be
done. 1t is to be regretted that there
are still left any of the old fashioned,
i'll constructed houses in our country.
1t is cruel, if not even barbarous, to
require children to occupy them.
School houses should be of good and
convenient size, we'll lighted, and well
ventilated. The more pleasant and
comfortable things there are, III and
about them, the better will schools
prosper. Every thing that is irksone
or repulsive, in, or about a school
house, serves to retard the progress
Of scholars. The high and narrow
seats with perpendicular backs, con-
hict very seriously with the comfort,
and health, and as conSequence,wl with
the progress of scholars. AS the
school house is solely for the benefit
of the scholars, no pains or expense
should be regarded, which their inter
ests require. The great object to be
Sought srou1u DC, TO facilitate the I'M
provement and the development OF
the youthful mind.
As the character, success and pros
pcrity Of our schools, unavoidably de-
ponds upon the teacher. the ut
most care should be exercised, in
selecting those who have been the
most approved and useful. They
should be persons of high moral stand
ing, as we'll aS possessed ofintellectu
al culture. They should guard the
: morals of the children while under
their care, lest they, being away from
perents' supervision, should be ire
trievably ruined. The teacher SHOULD
be thoroughly versed in all the branch
+ es to.be taught in the school. NJ
= apology can justify the employment
of incompetent teachers. If female
e teachers are employed i'll our winter
/ schools, they should be persons o
4 rare talents for the management OF {
l school, for the reason that in mos
: schools there arc large scholars WHIT
are void of al respect for teacher
5 whether male or female, and will dis
n regard their wholesome rules, unies
i deferred by fear. Shame and disgrace
h when used as arguments, are power
s less as a means of subOrdinatiOn.-
5 Hence. decision and energy are il
', dispensable. A school without goo
n order. is like an army with an unski
o full general. \ judicious teaohe
IS will, in most cases, devise happie
J. measures, than a resort to phvsica
e power. Sill, in some cases nothn
l. else will be effectual, and a teache
is justified in using corporal puniSE
r ment, even to apparent severity
u Good order should be maintained q
G all hazards. No school can prosper
0 or be Of any practical utility withol
e it. A neglect to thoroughly dri |
y scholars in the elements OF a scierc,
v is not an unfrequcnt fault OF teachers
Il For instance, teacher assists q pl
(. pil to solve problem without requi
h inc him to investigate closely the prii
is ciples involved. The scholar is pc.
+ mittcd to advance as best he can,
% 'ithmetic, without committing tn
IS rules to memory, and little or no re
r erencc to the questions for examin;
| tons is required. He that neglect
:. this point, or is ignorant of it himsel
o has certainly mistaken his calling, an
n. tasks the genius of the successtu
Is teacher. Another common fault
- not drilling scholars sufficiently in tt
at spelling book. Learning to spell
st not a moity of what may, and Dug
DC to be required of the pupil in Il
is. study of it. 1t contains many ell
I'd mentarv truths and principles Whit
- form the basis of good educatio
TO Some teachers who have rubbed the
,is elbows agains college walls, are e
an tirely disqualified for summer scho
mt teachers from their personal ignoran
of of the spelling book. 1t is to be fet
Ike ed the parents do not always fe
an that interest in the prosperity of t
.rd schools that they ought, nor all tn
an the welfare Of their children dcman
,te The idea that they cannot do, q
il ought not to do anything to form
ire high and noble standard for I
yiII school, is false and preposterous.
the There is proneness to leave all
HE the teachers. 1t is true they can
Inv much; 1t is also true that they can
be much more, with the hearty co-ope
9TH ton of the parents, than without
. Parents can do very much in aid
to keep healthy subordination in
school. If children are kept unC
proper paternal discipline at hor
The there will be but little trouble
on school. But if they require but lit
son if any, discipline at home. and do
ac- desire it in school, their children ,
.om be emboldened to violate every wht
ing some rule. Nearly all the insult
lem dination in our schools arises fir
will these causes. Parents can inter
pr their children in their studies wi
eet, it may be impossible for a teacher
wo- do it. III fact, they can make
tain school almost any thing they choc
lich either source of lasting benefit
sec. their children, or a source of sorl
the and deep regret. Then, as pare
lub- regard the responsibility Of their c
7en- dren, and a prominent position in
hall ciety, and as they desire the me
5 in and intellectual welfare Of their c
that dren, and anxiously wait to see Il
low future deStinies develop, they sho
son have a regard for these things.
atre A CLERGYMAN
Sign OF THE TIMEs.-A one leg
soldier has been turned out of the p
e at office at Columbia City, Ia.,and a {
the perhead appointed in his place. If