The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-06-19

est steps in reform ever recorded in the History
| OF Time. Should il be lost it is lost for years
perhaps forever. NJ. ELvrN.
| our Common schools.
For the True Northerner.
do not feel called upon to defend courses
OF study. or methods OF teaching from attacks
made by men who taught a few terms fifteen or
twen ty-five years ago." cit is enough for
teach ers OF the present day to know that their
methods are those that are sanctioned by the
great majority Of the best minds in the educa-
tional work of the State and country. If our
course is approved by such men we need care
but little for what may be said by the fossilized
remains of a former era OF teaching, but may
go on in our work bell ewing that we are not
going back to the darkness OF old days, and
trusting that the words of an old teacher of
Van Buren, county one who taught in Paw Paw
twenty years ago, are true, The boys and girls
OF to-day have reason to thank Ged that schools
have changed since twenty-five years ago -
y. A. Earle.
The above is the answer OF the rincpal or
Paw Paw L Mon School to what was said In the
Grange discussion about the present method OF
| teaching The criticisms there made were con-
fined principally to the word method and oral
instructions, as practiced in many of our pub
lie schools. Mr.. Gdden, who but few years
ago was student in Paw Paw Union School,
and has for several years since taught in this
and adjoining counties. and whose reputation
as teacher is we'll known, said, he had seen
scholars go from their letters through the First
Reader in one term but now it takes year or
more, and there is certainly something wrong
in the method of teaching" Z. l.. Warner,
WHO taught IN the schools Of this county some
years earlier than Mr. Glidden, said in re-
ferring to this question, Latin Grammar is
of more Importance than practical studies. His
boy of thirteen thought himself abused because
he did not think Latin Grammar just the thing
at his age"
was reported TO have said, "the plan Of the
word method is teaching by machinery, and is
not effectual." Now il Mr.. Earle had have
answered the above, or any other points which
| he might have discovered in that discussion
! touching the present method Of teaching, in a
fair and candid manner, dealing only with
facts and arguments, he would have done but
his simple duty and no one could have found
fault with him. But when he answers-as the
above language would seem to indicate-that
none but the teachers, actually engaged IN
teaching, are competent to judge whether 4
particular method Of teaching Is effectual or
not and if parents presume to criticise a
particular method, and declare that their chill
dren do not learn to read and spell as fast as
they did under some ether system OF instruction
they are to be denounced and almost defied as
above. Is 1t not indicating that parents have
no rights" which teachers Z" are bound to re-
spect''?
1t is not to be expected that those who were
educated IN the log school-houses OF Michigan,
or working for ten dollars per month through
the long summer months to earn enough 10 pay
the expenses for few terms at an Academy or
select school. can be as learned as one who has
enjoyed all the advantages OF fine school.
houses and free schools but I have yet to
learn that it was any disgrace TO have been
thus educated. or to have - taught school a few
terms fifteen or twenty-five years ago. or even
in Paw Paw twenty years ago" and may FOR
all that possess more than q" one grain OF sense
and be capable Of uttering words tia, are
true"
A Professor OF one Of Michigans best colleges
upon the witness stand was asked, where he
was educated :" answered. IN the log school
house. sir, and l am proud OF It, Golden
words of encouragement to the Young whose
education is confined to the common schools,
and better encomium for the man than the
diploma of the alumnus, for his learning, abL-
ity and success as an educator Of youth has
never been questioned.
Perhaps 1t did not occur TO Mr.. Earle that
some OF the greatest truths in science have
been demonstrated by " fossilized remains. y
notwithstanding the softer strata or drift that
has att empted to hide them forever from the
searcher for truth. So 1t is to be hoped that
the discussion Of this question, even In the
grange, by parents and " fossillzed' teachers
may bring to light truths that the people are
eager TO know. ! have visited schools repeat
edly within the past ave years-Mr. Earle 3
statement to .the contrary notwithstan ding-
and have observed with some care the word
method OF teaching children to read and spell
as practiced in many OF the schools Of Mich-
gan. have also witnessed the progress which
quite a number of children have made who
have been taught by this method as compared
to those who have been instructed under the
old, or "fossilized method" and l frankly give
/ it as my opinion that children will become indie
pendent readers and correct spoilers in one
half the time under the old system that they
will under the new and in this opinion am
Joined by large number of parents and teach
ers, within my circle of acquaintance. | am
also OF the opinion that this is the primary
cause why the teachers Of our schools are 80
deficient in these two fundamental principles
of an education. | do not claim but what oral
instruction, to a certain extent, may be given
with good results in connection with the text
book, but the system as practlced In some OF
our schools seems only to cover up defects in
real textbook knowledge, and to enable scholars
to show off well upon examination day or when
visitors are present. A lady Of this place visit
ed one OF the best mon Schools in this State,
and the teacher OF one OF the departments
asked her, (which she would prefer, to hear
,rh.t bar acholaca did knoU mr. what +hav did