The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-12-18

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this action, but this must suffice for
this article. II. d. BARBER.
flor the Advanced y
HINTS FOR HOMESTUDY .,.
This winter, for reasons evident to
all, our district schools, with one or two
exceptions, are closed, and most parents
in the country are trying to teach the
children at home. In a large, well
warmed, cheerful house, with we'll
trained ''help" and all the machinery
of the day going on like clock-worlz, it
is possible for children to make consid-
cradle progress in their studies, having
''only mother'' to help them. But when
you so to bed at ''early candle-lightingn
and get up ut almost any hour before
noon, warm your house with a hay fire,
and do I'LL your own house-work while
the boys attend to the stock, there ism t
much opportunity for teaching in the
short, busy, tangled-,p days. However,
it is worth while to try, and will be
good for fathers and mothers as well
us boys and girls. AS a general thing,
children don't like to study ut home,
but once get them at it in I, systematic
way and their opposition becomes small
by degrees aud beautifully less. Don't
review the old lessons which were gone
over last summer; there is little to ex-
cite enthusiasm in reviews. Sometimes
indolent children like to drone over
the old lessons just because they are
easy. Help them to long for the larger
lessons with pleasanter stores and
more interesting instruction. 1t is bet
ter not to have many Rotations in one
day. Here is Il system of home study
which has been tried and found toler-
ably successful: For Monday, reading
from IL selected article in some Juvenile
paper or magazine. II the children are
tired of their school readers this is u
very good plan. A simple poem or az
ticle from any paper will answer the
purpose. Dictate words from this les
son to he written on the slate rs exer-
else in spelling. Tuesday, Geography
recited ''topically;'. That is, after
studying the lesson your pupil writes
upon his slate such facts us lie can re-
member, putting them in his own words
when it is easier to do so.
This improves spelling and writing,
and composition of sentences, and as
sists the memory. Besides, it is Il
quiet way to recite, and doesn't attract
baby'S attention. These lessons, which
are seldom irksome, come OH washing
and ironing days. Arithmetic is re-
served for Wednesday when there is
more leisure The mental aritillnetics
which have problems to be solved men-
tally and explained aloud are excellent
for home study. The boys like it as
we'll us telling riddles or guessing puz-
zles, and sometimes before you know it,
the whole family will be eagerly listen
ing and joining in theaexercises. This
method has more life and enthusiasm
in it than porting over long sums OIL the
slate. Thursday, Grammar. On Gram
mar day let the whole family lie in wait
for trespassers Oh the Kings English.
II father says Il be" when he means
II am" allow Johnny to politely cor
rect him, and let the children under
stand that OH this day their language
will he rigidly criticized, and that they
must heed the criticisms. Friday,
Arithmetic again. Saturday, no les
sons. Sunday, one of the various les
son leaves for the Bible. Never call
a child away from his lesson except for
a matter of deep necessity, and have
his time for study come at the same
hour every day if possible. It is deep
ly important that children of ages from
seven to fourteen years haye regular
lessons, winter and summer. Then the
faculties are freshest and keenest, but
if allowed to lie dormant too long will
never, except in a very few instances,
take hold Of study with much success.
A small blackboard will assist you
greatly and help to interest and amuse
old and young The mole cost of one
need not exceed fifty cents, if manu-
featured at home. You will be aston.
ished at the Zest it gives to your exer.
cises. Written spelling lessor should
he insisted upon, when the children are
able to write. Very many people can
spell orally with 1.-The greatest of ease:
who have no more idea than 4 Iotten.
tot of the way a plain English word
Elooks. Perhaps may say here that il
your children are we'll advanced in
their studies and in your teaching yo,
come to amy difficulty you cannot mas.
ter or if questions arise which you arc
not quite prepared to answer, the Coull.
ty Superintendent will be glad to hell
you 10y letter OF conversation. lie feels
that the success Of next summer S
schools depends largely OH these regular
winter lessons. They should not be
considered an irksome task. but noble.
wholesome, necessary work, the most
important, pleasantest business of the
family through the winter. \ few per-
severing young people have taken up
advanced studies and made great pro.
gress with but little assistance. Let
others he encouraged 10y their example.