North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-07-15
Schools.


Supt. Preston gives to the Elkader Jour
nal a brief account Of his school visits.
We copy so much as relates to McGregor.
Speaking of a "little lack in discipline"
in the case of Miss Baugh, reminds US
that we had seven years experience as a
teacher, from l63 to % years of age) and
we were never much on what is modernly
called ''discipline." Our object was to
teach the children make the school room
an agreeable place, and, by every mild ap-
p%liancc, induce them to learn. Keeping
children injured in a room bare walls (;
not a picture; prohibited, almost form
looking at each other the lowestbreathing
of q whisper, visited with ignominy or
corporal punishment if the ''lesson'' was
not in accord with the wishes Of an exact
ing teacher-these remedies for child-like,
playful Ignorance are not good. Turn
them loose frequently and let them have a
chance to grow; act kindly and literally
toward them, and they will learn; ~enslave
them by the prescribed rules of "disci-
pline" and they hav'nt love enough for
the teacher to try to learn. The
object with them is to learn how to
come as near to the infraction Of musty
and useless rules as they can without in
curing a penalty for violation. We
earnestly believe that the subject of edu-
cation, of science, of learning or by any
other name indicating the acquisition of
practical knowledge, is sacrificed in schools,
academies and colleges, to the tyrannic
demands of ''order," and a tinsel finish
to secure "popularity' with the parents.
This is too large a subject for brevity.
Sometime we will write it up more fully.
Here is the extract from Mr.. Preston's re-
port:
MY next visiting was at the McGregor
schools. In Prof. Barnes department |
noted about seventy five pupils present.
He, as usual, was earnestly engaged in the
discharge of his duties. 1t was very APP
parent that his pupils understood hat his
requirements were imperative. Thorough
ness characterized his Rotations. His
recitation room is under the supervision
of Miss Prince, who has Taught for a num-
Der Of years in the schools of McGregor.
Miss Lloyd and Miss Barnes are the teach
ers in the other departments of the main
building, who were endeavoring to 10th
interest and instruct about so scholars
under their charge. The primary school
under the charge of Miss Baugh, was next
visited. In this department l found a
little lack in discipline. With a slight
improvement in this direction, this depart
ment would compare with the other de-
partments, as the teacher is anxious to
succeed. Mrs. Carly is teacher in the 0 h.
er departments of the same building.
School we'll conducted and teacher APP
pears to be at home in the school room.
Miss Church and Miss Bowers are the
teachers in the other departments of the
other school building in which quiet and
order prevailed, lessons well learned and
recitations properly conducted. Mr..
Dolket is teacher in the German depart
ment, who is we'll qualified for his posi-
ton. His department numbers about
eight, he is a live teacher and endeavors
to have lessons well learned in his school.
The schools of North McGrcgor are
taught by Miss Chandler and Mr.. Quay
who are both earnestly at work with about
10 scholars. The schools of both de-
partments are well conducted.