Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-04-26

this matter. The corrective is in the hands
of the school officers but they should ap-
ply it judiciously. Defer TO public opinion
when it can safely and consistently be
done. Take no advantage of the over
sight in the act of last winter in relation
to employment of teachers by which the
law is practically nullified on account OF
the late date at which it went into opera
ton. In a word let parents, teachers and
officers work together for the common
good.
Sd. The next thing to be attended to
is school inspection. This is said to be
the weak point in the American system,
partly because the people are unwilling to
pay for it, and partly because of the care
lessness and inefficiency of school officers.
The classification and methods of instruc-
ton should be carefully attended to, also the
textbooks used, making them as uniform
as possible. A great gain can be made
by attention here. Faithful supervision
will aid the teacher to put his school in
order, and then stimulate him to labor by
the knowledge which he has that a watch
full eye is upon him and that he will be
judged by the work he accomplishes.
4th. The Superintendent would ''eradi-
cate from the course Of common school
study much of the present rubbish of
higher algebra, puzzling arithmetical con-
nundrums, superfluous guessing at words,
termed parsing. and the futile memoriz-
ing of geographical names" Instead of
these he would have the school course en-
brace, reading with spelling writing with
drawing, arithemetic with mechanics,
geography with natural philosophy, physi-
ology or the laws of life and health, gram
mar with composition and United States
History" Especially does he recommend
drawing with physiology, prescribing the
latter as one of the regular studies.
9Th Attention is called to school at
tendance. The people are not quite ready
for compulsory means to keep truants at
school, but the idea is gaining ground. In
the meantime the rooms and schools by
being inviting. the teachers capable and
profitable, will induce better attendance.
Only fifty per cent. of the youth between
the age of four and twenty-one now attend
school. We have gained eight per cent.
in the last two years, but we ought to
reach as high as seventy or seyenty-ive
per cent. A general missionary work is
needed in this direction. All should give
it their assistance.
9th. Efforts should he made to awaken
the interest of parents in the schools
Matters pertaining to them should be dis
cussed SO as to throw light upon the new
plans introduced. When these are under
stood by the people they will be ready te
adopt and sustain them. They need en-
lightment and will receive it kindly, and i
| is the duty of the educator to persist in hi
| work of instruction.
In conclusion all who arc interested in
education are urged to united and vigor
Gus effort. The fruits of county supervis
ion have been to quicken and Strengthen
educational sentiment and give bette
result for the money expended. The Su
perintendent challenges investigation o
this agency, now became established il
twenty-four of the States. He also call
attention to the propositions for free higl
schools, and the school mill fund for sup
port of common schools, which were be
fore the Legislature last winter and will b.
presented again next winter. In this cir
| cular Mr.. johnson has laid before the ed
ucators of the State plan by which t.
work as well as an appeal for better work
If his directions are observed as they de
serve to be they will produce excellent re
suits. While his scheme is comprehen
sive, and aims to place the schools of thu
State upon the highest ground. his recon
mendations are entirely pratical, being
based upon what the schools actually are
rather than upon an ideal estimate. With
such chart as this before them the teach.
ers of Maine can enter Understandings
upon their labors, and close them we trust
with satisfactory results to all concerned
| GENERAL NEWS.
wag advertses baby-Jumpers as "sprlne