The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-06-29
GENERAL EXERCISES.

0Tal or miscellaneous character. Their
great utility is unquestionable in enliven-
ing the school, and quickening sluggish,
sleeping energies, to active, vigorous
thought. A few minutes each day NAV
be rendered golden in value, by little
pains, thought, and tact. Suchexercises
may be the medium of conveying much
actual knowledge, practicable and imme-
diately applicable. Such, for instance,
are exercises on physiology and the laws
of health They may be conducted with
such enthusiasm, as to impart a thrill of
delight and kindle an eager interest.
Nor will this impulse stop here. These
topics will be talked over and discussed at
each home, never falling to elicit ap-
prevail of the practice, and this in turn
will react upon the pupil, and stimulate
even greater interest in all his work
The glowing countenances of the little
flock, as they perceive some new truth, or
some familiar phenomenon explained,
will quicken a teachers heart, and enrr-
gize his mind to greater availability, and
creative power.
There are subjects on every hand,
fruitful in interest and profit, if only
made tributary to educational ends.
How many men are there to-day, who
move about continually among the
grandest of the Creators works, without
even stopping to inquire into their Ma
ture, habits uses, etc. A farmer sows
and reaps. With hat sowing and reaping
he might promote his own growth and
cultivation of mind by studying into the
phenomena connected with the germina
ton and gradual unfolding of plants, as
they bring everything air, water,
light under tribute to their DEVELOPMENT
Does any one ask the utility of such
thought and study? It may be answered
by the inquiry whether man was made
only for treadmill existence,-to eat
drink, sleep and exist, never calling into
exercise any more of his natural endow
ment than is requisite for these processes.
What better than the brute, if he simply
follow the promptings of physical in
stiucts.
A short time since, an allusion was
made in the COLUMN to flowers and their
uses in the schoolroom 1t was an ex-
cellent article, encouraging most com
mendable practice. Even their silent in
fuence is suggestive. They teach sweet
ness and purity of life. Further than
this, they furnish a most fertile theme
for general exercise or object lessons
Questions may be asked, some readily
answered, others more difficult, upon
their pecuiarities by nature, differences.
points Of resemblance, colors, odors, etc.
Any teacher may mention other items of
interest, as they have been gathered in
reading, or from previous study. The
natural consequence will be to arrest at.
tentlon, not only for that special occasion.
but possibly to awaken an interest in the
subject, and desire to learn more cn,-
tiVating love of the beautiful, minister
ing in small degree to aesthetic culture
1t Will open their minds to the fact that
there Is much to know on the subject,
beyond their requirements.
The sun pursues his daily course, and
the stars shine out in peaceful splendor.
What pregnant topics for prompting the
curiosity, and starting the thought of a
cnlld The shower falls gently to the
earth, laden with refreshing for the
thirsty plants. What occasions the
shower? How are the clouds formed
Why is one shower more violent than
another? What occasions the thunder and
lightning? How is the rainbow formed
How is hail to be accounted for? Mum.
oerless inquiries may be started, each
suggestive OF as many more. The works
OF Nature abound in f-rtile themes
while the productions of art are eouall '
SO. The reason of common things with
winch every grown person should be
familiar, are new and strange to children,
unframed to think, and these are lust the
subjects which are worthy of prominence.
But it is impossible here to do mora
than barely touch upon these points, and
take cursory glance over this broad
neld' No teacher, certainly, lacks abb
asy to simplify some such topic for these