The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1868-07-02
School Renorts,
Gaining the Attention.

The teacher who fails to get the atten-
ton of his pupils, fails wholly There is
and there can be, no teaching, where this
is not secured. Gaining the attention,
however, is not the only Indispensable
condition. We have seen a class wrought
by tricks and devices to the highest pitch
OF aroused mental activity-fairly painting
with eagerness, yet learning nothing The
teacher had the knack of stirring them up
INTO half frenzy of expectation, without
having any substantial knowledge where
with to reward their eagerness. With his
one-slded skill, he was but mountebank.
For real successful teaching, there must be
these two things: the ability to hold the
minds of the children, and the ability to
give them sound and seasonable instrnc-
ton. Lacking the latter ability the pu-
phi goes away with his vessel untitled
lacking the former, the teacher only pours
water upon the ground
How shall the teacher secure atten-
ton?
In the first place, let him make up his
mind that he will have it. This is half
the battle Let him settle it with himself
that until he does this, he is doing moth
ing; that without the attention of his spr
pills, he is no more a teacher thanthe. chair
which he occupies. With this truth fully
realized, he will come before his class re-
solved to have hearing; and this very
resolution will have its effect upon the
scholars. Children are quick to discern
the mental attitude of a teacher. They
know as by instinct, whether he is in earn
est or not, and in all ordinary cases tbey
yield without dispute to claim resoIutely
put.
This, then, is the first duty of the teach
er. lie must go to his class with the res
olute determination of making every schol-
ar feel his presence all the time The
moment pupil shows that the concio,ls-
ness OF his teachers presence is not on his
mlnd, as a restraining or attracting power
something is wrong. The first step towards
producing that Consciousness, as an abid.
ing influence, is for the teacher to deter
mine In his own mind to bring it about
without being arrogant, without being
dlctatorlal, without being or doing any
thing that is diSagreeable or unbec omine,
he must put forth distinct power of self.
assertion. He must determine to make If
1elt that he is there, that he is there ali
the time, that he is there to every one of
them Wv "
In the next place, the teacher must not
dlsappolnt the attention which his man.
ner has challenged He must have some.
thlng OF value to communicat. He must
De thoroughly prepared in the lesson, So
that the pupil may feel that thew are
learning from him. His lips must keen
knowledge. The human heart thirstS fdrr
knowledge. This is one of its natural n.
stlncts; and netting is more common tbon
to see children hanging with fondnass
around one who has sometime IN fan
them. Let the teacher then be snre ~
nave something to say, as well as be de,
termined to say it. - y w
IN the third place the teacher must
nave his knowledge perfectlvat command
- must De on the tip of his tongue. IF he
nesitates, and stops to think. or to look
III Tue DOCK Tor the purpose of huntino Nv,
"nat ne has to tell them, he viii he 7,o, ~
apt TO lose his chance Teacbino ob;1a!
particularly young children. is IIka 49, -
ing birds ON the wing. The T,c, ,l"
your bird is In sight, you must fire IT,
moment you have the child's eve he 49, az
to speak. This readiness of utteranoe
matter to be cultivated. The ri,,ast
scholars are often sadly deficient in If
the very habit of profound study BEING
apt to induce slowness. A teacher :
conscious Of this defect, must resolutelr
set himself to resist it and overcome i
de can do so, if he will But it reou;ree
resolution and effort.
,,, IN the fourth place, the teacher shonld
pace himselt SO that every nnniI i, En-
ciass Is IN sight. 1t is not unc6n,,an, -
see a. teacher pressing close up to the CEN
IRE ere OF the class, so that if he turns bio
ssre 70 t those on one SIDE he must at the
o oeueI, Always sit or stand wbarn Wv, ny
ean see te the face of every pupil b you
and di Use Ihoe o 6fharaeterof the instruction
Issuance saoab of this simple rule y 'ne
as much as your tongue. If yo 81 quite
YOU class to look at You, Won ,S svu want want
ae tnem. The eye has magic - rs, LOOK
wins, It guides, it rewards, It ,i PpWsr. 1t
controls; You must learn r. So res IL
en- eni ia al the time. Some teacber, every
TO De able to see only one pupil at f ssem