Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-07-02

have been principally among tn,
small children, who are not familiar
with the rules of school.
Tardiness has been slightly dimin
ished. 1t is about the worst featur,
of the schools. The teachers have
labored zealously for two years, t.
diminish this evil, but their labor'
have not produced the effect desired
because we have. all this time beer
proceeding upon an incorrect basis
An excuse from the parent ha:
placed the tardy pupil upon the same
standing with the pupil who has moi
been tardy. Many parents seen
never to mistrust that in writing al
excuse for tardiness they interfere
with the interests of the school, and
greatly diminish the chances of sue
cess in life on the part of the child
In schools where tardiness has been
made a high offense against the
school, and so treated, it has been
reduced very low. In Cleveland
schools, in which 60 pupils are in at
tendance, do not average one case
of tardiness per day.
One or two plans, adopted in many
of the best schools in our State, as
well as other States, have been pre-
sented to the Board. Any system
that will seek TO secure prompt at
tendance, will interfere with the II.
regular habits Of few families; but
this can afford no objection to such
a regulation when it is known that
the irregularities of these few fami-
lies most seriously interfere with the
rights and privileges Of those who
are regular. Sickness or other ir.
regularity will occur in any family
Such should be made the exceptions
to the law. l feel like urging this
important matter upon the serious
attention of the board and patrons
of the schools. Tardy scholars al
ways make tardy committee men,
persons who are always keeping sew
eral others waiting upon them be-
cause they never learned to meet en-
gagements promptly when young.
Instruction.
Very great advancement has been
made in the mode of imparting in.
struction in the different schools
Weekly teachers meetings have been
held during the year, in which we
have presented to teachers the best
methods of imparting instruction to
classes of different grades; this has
been accompanied with a thorough
analysis of the mind, it's order of de
velopment and its normal food in its
various stages of Development
Most of the teachers have become
deeply interested in these and SINH
lar topics and have prosecuted their
investigation to an extent that has
made them familiar with many Of
the most intricate questions connect
ed with teaching. These investiga-
tons have filed them with the spirit
of the true teacher, and they have
labored understandingly and most
of them with very great success.
Much oral teaching has been done
in grammar, commencing in the low
est grades to correct all improper
language, and in many ways to beau
tify conversation. More real ele-
gance of style and more knowledge
Of the principles of the language
have thus been given in some of the
rooms, in one year, than children
will get from the technicalities of the
text book in twice the time.
To carry out the mode Of instruc-
ton now adopted in the schools, and
which is the only true system, seye-
raj things become necessary.
First Apparatus, that the teachers
may address the principles of science
to the mind of the pupils, assfar as
possible, through the great thorough
fare of knowledge-the senses.
Second. The board should hire
teachers who are able to instruct, to
mold and fashion, pliabls, impressi-
BILE and immortal mind in wisdom
and purity. Teachers who are ac-
quainted with innate powers and ca
as well as the laws of
growth and the appliances necessary
to promote the development of mind.
Third. The. sehool-reoms must not
be overcrswded, kept neat, comfort
able and attractive.
Fourth. Parents should ever re-
that teachers and them
selves, are, or at least ought to be,
associate laborers in the work of in
their children; and for a
satisfactory result there must exist
his hearty cooperation. Parents
may, by their indifference, or bad, ex-
ample, continually undo what thel
seacher is trying to put in order
Under such contradictory circum-
stances no good can be expected.
It is essential that parents should
visit the schools as often as once in
TWO weeks. 1t is impossible for two
men to carry on business In part
nership without quite frequently con-
sulting each other and mutually ma
ture their plans. Parents and teach
sx