Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-12-16

enforced attendance at school and like
wise prompiness in the hours, the session
being so limited. A little exercise in
which the names of all fruits good for
food, were written, showed a long cata-
logue, and very good photography.
IrEM-Two of tie boys wore their
scarfs during the morning session.
In the reading class, picture was
shown to each pupil and description of
its objects required to be written on the
states of every one; the construction of
sentences, as also their descriptive pow
ers being shown in this exercise. f
Atrecess all the pupils are required to
take the air, the room being thereby re-
lieved and supplied with fresh oxygen for
teacher and pupils. u
In the geography class which is
reviewing in brief, condensed form,
previous lessons, there is fine field at
forded by the text for suggostiveness,
which the teacher may occupy. adding
many facts not found in the books, and
eliciting thought upon these and others
in the pupils. Miss LARKIN is evidently
pains. taking teacher and noticed but
little friction in the morning exercises,
her programme being welitimed and the
pupils orderly. "
DEPARTMENT NUMBER FOUR.
In department No. 4, Mrs. MORRILL,,
teacher, there are seats TO. "a; average
attendance 40. Ages of pupils 10 to
IA years. The register notes but little
hardness. s..
A class in history seemed to have
studied their lesson carefully, showing
familiarity with the main facts and incl
dents of the discovery of America by
Columbus, etc.
In the geography class. Spain, its
mountain ranges, country products, chief
cities ETC., were described. Its recent rev.
olution, reinforcement of the Bourbon
dynasty, and management of Cuban af-
fairs, so much talked about through the
country and press, was not mentioned,
perhaps for want of time, etc. In this
connection will it be amiss to suggest
that so far as consistent, supplementary
instruction be given as to the existing
conditions of governments and peoples
current events be talked of. live events
and facts be described so far as possible,
and the dead ones be left in statw quo i.
Teachers must take note of current
events in order to do this, and in this
day Of telegraphic news and cheap news
papers, it would seem as if there could
be no reason sufficient to justify ne
glect of such great privileges. Club to-
gether, teachers, if necessary, to pro-
vide ways and means for the attainment
of this object. a''
IA reauug eAercis, III e,ynuers IuIru
Reader, developed what has previously
been mentioned, @. words obscure in
import, difficult of pronunciation, and
poorly defined. For example, curiosity,
defined, inquisitiveness; integrity, de-
fined uprightness ETC., etc. If the
last analysis ofslanguage, viz, orthogra
ply, sy Ilabication and pronunciation be
insisted upon, pray let pupils at least I'M
derstand what these symbols are intend,
ell to convey to the mind in the simplest
manner possible. gao f@s:AT
1t is pleasant to remark converse
tional style in the matter read BY the
class. A useful written exercise com
pretending the names Of all things God
has made, subject to the criticism of any
pupil, was introduced. If distinctions Of
a merely technical nature in criticism
be discouraged, or at least an explana
ton be offered if allowed, it is sug gested
that greater profit would result from said
exercise.
Would it not be well to teach merely
the outlines Of geography, % the young
er pupils, emitting such chaffy details or
stuffing as the purely elementary treats
es upon geography contain. The occa.
sional grains Of wheat found, are hardly
worth the labor expended in such delving
aud poring amoag rubbish. Olivia
value is it to know the climatology Of
the Pyrenecs and its valleys; the mum
Der of inhabitants in Palos; their nativ-
ity or occupation; the geographers opin-
ION of the most pleasant part of Ger
many--no two travellers agreeing upon
that important question-and bushels
of other like irrelevant stuff. Daily
loads of such precious information are
pitched off before the pupil leaves the
schools room and both time and money
are lost in pitching it On. = ~ :
ITEM Such words as "rieyer,' > +" ar
r;o., - &C bra,iar - haino, oiyan out ,yonh