The Placer herald., 1872-05-25
THOROUGHNESS IN TEACHING.


should be the leading idea in the mind of all ed
ucators.
In the commonest pursuits OF life we havo a
special admiration for every thing that is done
well, and involuntarily ask ourselves who the
author Of it l.. How much We admire we'll ar-
ranged garden when the walks, flowers, shrubbery
and trees are properly laid out; when the grounds
and buildings are in harmony with each other.
How much satisfaction it gives us to see a large
uilding with a firmand strong base, upon which
the grand superstructuro is built assuming in oil
finished whole. How much more then. should
we admire-not only admire, but actually require
that those who have the moulding OF the plastic
and immortal minds Of the young be thorough
in their undertakings.
will venture to say, although in direct oppo-
sition to the acts of most Boards of Education,
we'll Of Trustees, that if first class teachers
were engaged in the primary and intermediate
schools the education OF nine e-tenths of the pu-
pills in the higher branches would be more
thorough and of a more lasting nature than the
present shp-shod superficial method pursued in
so many Of our schools.
Reading, the first subject taught child.
generally speaking, has less efficiency about it
than other studies It's true that great many
know how to pronounce the words, but how few
are able to give that enunciation of letters syl-
tables and words which is SO necessary to proper
and correct reading Deliberate reading and
natural tone should take the place of the rapid
sing song manner universal. Correct pronun-
citation and reading should be taught in the
lower grades hence the great necessity Of secur-
ing thorough teachers to teach all the first prn-
ciples of the different subjects If the foundation
of the educational fabric is well laid with solid
base, the supcrstructure can be reared with case
and rapdity, in graceful proportions, to last for
all time. If the general foundation is deficient
the superstructure is insecure and unreliable. 1t
must be all renewed or the further building be
indefinitely postponed.
The next subject of greatest importance is
spelling. If it be not thoroughly treated in the
lower grades it will be next to impossible for the
pupil to recover from the evil effects arising
therefrom during the whole course of his schol-
astc life
AS correct spelling is really arbitrary, and de-
pends more on memory and sight than on other
faculties, pupils should be drilled very often in
both oral and written spelling. especially the
latter, since that is the method in which
spelling is used in the business transactions of
life. How often have heard the cry III were
only made to pay more attention to my spelling
when went to school at frat ] would not be
such bungling writer now
Arithmetic is next in importance; undoubtedly
we all have had more or less experience in the
difficulties arising from M imperfect knowledge
of the first principles Of mathematics, yet, still
those difficulties may be more easily surmounted
in the higher grades of schools than those
previously mentioned. Pupils should not be
allowed to pass any subject in mathematics till
they able to demonstrate the operation, to
distinguish each step from the other, and give
reason therefor. as we'll as for the whole opera
ton. In explanation pupils should be able to
clearly state the example or problem then to
analyze, solve and give the conclusion ut which
they arrive. Examples and problems occurring
in every day life should be used to test the stu
dents ability to apply his knowledge to the
practical business of life The great majority of
thorough drill in simple and compound numbers.
How few of them can take long columns of COM
pound numbers and find the answer rapidly and
correctly. The fundamental rules should be
completely mastered before proceeding to higher
combinations. Deficiency in arithmetic can by
no amount of arthmetical ingenuity or theoreti-
cal knowledge be compensated.
Grammar is necessary from the first entrance
into school until the education is completed. l
do not think that any textbook whatever should
be used in the lower grades. Yet the
teacher should never allow opportunity to
pass without correcting an improper expression
uttered by any pupil in recitation; young per-
sons nine or ten years Of age cannot comprehend
the meaning of either grammatical terms or rules.
A method have used of combining lessons in
spelling, grammar and composition is the fol
lowing, viz: to give out several words, say ten,
and then require each pupil to write sentences
in which these occur, or better still, to write
composition on some subject, and in it use each
word given out BY little discretion on the
part of the teacher, in giving out words that will
suggest different ideas, the pupil will i'll short
time arrange excellent compositions, and by
pointing ont improper expressions and suggest
ing proper ones wonderful progress can be made
in arranging grammatical sentences. That it is
the proper method Of conducting the majority OF
spelling exercises will think, be conceded by
ALL
After pupils begin the study Of grammar from
textbooks, they should become perfectly familiar
with the principal parts of speech, viz: nouns,
pronouns and verbs, and be able to distinguish
these readily. l know these views are not in
accordance with most grammarians, yet l hold
that if pupil can rea lily select and parse these
the rest of grammar is Of secondary considera-
ton, and may be acquired with comparative ease.
L.
To be Continued.
EDUCATIONAL DErARTMENI.-At the Placer
county Teachers Institute committees we're ap-
H. La ~ od, r.