Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-12-30
Small Children in School.


idle and restless.
have already called attention to the
uses of the slate in the hands OF small
children. Let us see il there is anything
else which they can do. But | prefer
practice to theory; will write out what
have seen some excellent teachers do in
this county. One teacher gave the little
ones certain words 10 spell from their
book and ancr they had studied aud
spelled them, they went to The board and
printed or wrote the same words. Tins
! is an excellent exercise. which they like
to engage in and which keeps them en-
ployed. They can al1o use their states
for the same purpose. saw another
teacher who made scrap book by cut
ting out large Letters, words tnd pictures
from shuwhils. newspapers or any lh'n@
else. The chillrcn were allowed 10 LOOK
over this during The latter part OF the
forenoon and afternoon and they would
look at the pictures and read the large
printed words with constant interest.
This is allowed rs reward for good be.
havior.
Another teacher cut out the letters OF
the alphabet from some showbills and past
cd them on card or piece ot pasteboard
and lc, the scholars make mp words from
the letters and print or write them on the
board. | knew one excellent teacher
who let the little boys white half IN
hour in the afternoon during the hot days
last summer, as reward for good he
havior. The only penalty connected with
this exercise was that they were required
to pick up the whiltlings and throw them
out OF doors. Better white than be idle.
How great rclict and privilege II is
for little children IN 90 after pail oil
water, or into the woods after broom,
Let them do IT, Let them 30 some alter
noon after they have got their lessons and
get something with which to trim the
schonlroom. Children that do this will
never ipjurc tho building. bat will try to
take care of il.
If children have states they will learn
TO draw. and thus cultivate the eye To I'M
dcrstand the forms OF objects. Children
that can read story will be delighted to
have some little book to read rs a reward
for COOL behavior. In manJ schools the
teacher can have frequent exercises dur.
ing the day, short anil pithy, which Will
relieve the minds OF the little ones
Teachers should always remember that
the time OF children is worth just rs much
as it ever will lc \ short story, des-
cription OF some animal or tree, in fact.
almns, anything will interest children,
and be curichjng their minds with
knowledge. lie is good ovcrsccr who
can keep ten or twenty men all ut work
and so he is the good teacher who can
keep the children NIL employed.
wish TO be understood here. 1t is not
to be expected that very small children
shall be employed in study all the time.
The teacher must frequently change the
exercises. II teacher can ling, let her
conduc, an exercise in singing for one OF
two minutes, or let them have some
simple g mnaslic exercise by stretching
their arms anil lcct, and they become
rested. know one teacher who under
stands managing and teaching school
As well rs anybody, that lets tic scholars
all laugh just rs hearty as they can foT
lust half minute 10y his watch. They
feel The change and GO nj their studies
with eaIneStneSs.
In visiting the schools in this county
have found on IN average about one third
OF the children idle. This is wrong, all
wrong. 1t is not always the laul, OF the
teacher. have been in some schools
where all the children were compelled to
look on their books all the time. There
is a better way than this. Give them a
sperilic lesson, short and not difficult and
interest them in it and you will find but
few children who DO not love 10 do what
they are able TO do.
know what write is not mere theory.
because have found quite number OF
teachers in the county who do understand
keeping the children employed and inter
estcd find no fault with that teacher
who interests herself in the children 5
PLAYS out OF doors Much may be done
in this way. Children that are busy are
not half so likely to injurc the school
house. ! trust, therefore, that what
have seen in some schools, | shall soon
see in all. The whole world is outside OF
the schoolhouso, and u good teacher will
/ find il full OF materials for interesting and
ins,ructing children. What n fund OF
knowledge teacher can impart TO the
Youngest children in geography byncans
Of a little globe which any teacher can
make.
viii any parent who has children at
school this winter please cut out this
article and send il tn iheir teacher? |
know every good teacher will be glad TO
receive it. trust that every teacher in
the county will devise some way toinicr'
est children while nj school.
n. I 7.
CORNISH VILLAGE, Dec. a, 1870.
Mr.. Editorials there seems to be at