Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-01-08
Teachers Institute.
OPENING EXFRCINF~

\ great trouble in our schools i tardi-
ness. To remedy this is Very important,
and very difficult If possible make the
opening exercises so pleasing that scholars
viii be unwilling to be absent. TO pro-
mote punctuality should be one object of
the oI~nin. exercises Iardines, 4, NOT
always voluntary. A boy has his chores to
do, and has long walk IIc must care for
the barn, bring wood and water for h,
mother. Another boy his been skafiu,,:
he does not really mean to be late, but j.
so much Interested in the sport, that time
HES, aud he j. late. Now ii we can make
the opening exercises pleasing, We do
much for the prevention ct tarolIucSS.
Then these exercise, should prepare for
school work. The children come 10 Inc
school room with nerves and minds aeira-
ted from various causes the exercises
should be soothing, 20 a. 20 calm the mind
and prepare tor school work. These excr-
ci'es then shoud not only be pleasing, But
such that all may participate in them
The first exercise may BE- the roIl-ca!.-
this should be by numbers, a, takin. lrss
time. On the first day. when 4 list of
scholars Is made, every one sauulI receive,
number, by which he may be known a,
all times. This is especially important in
large schools. In some schools the -chol-
ars cali themselves, thus, 40. !. No.2Sc..
II No. does not give his uunlber,-the
teacher calls No. eff there be no answer
then We hear No. ! and 50 Oh until The ron
Is complete. This, even in i large school.
takes very little time. 10 prevent tardi
ness a teacher may keep, hanging near hi,
desk perhaps, book in which are the
names and numbers q. the pupils. II one
IS absent at roll-calI, on comm. I'm h,
walks across the house to the book and
makes some mark. showing that he came
in late.
After calling the roll have singing. ana
let as many a possible join in it. If some
are little out of tuns or time il viii not
be noticed; and singing is All cleyatilr, en-
nobling, refining exercise. If tie teacher
cannot sing, usually some OF the older
Puptis can, anu let them lead.
Next, let there be a scripture exercise.
In this the pupils should not read in tErr.
neither should the scriptures be rend ii
course. Select some portion, for instance
the NIX Psalm. Let the teacher real Tho
hrst verse, then the whole school. in cor-
cert, read the second, then the tea cher tho
third. aud the school the fourth e. "a
the teacher may read a few words. n
"Ihe heavens declare the glory Of Cod. "
then the scholars read the same word.
copying his manner, aad 50 on tbropoh ,be
psalm At the close the whole school may
repeat the Lords Prayer in concert with
the teacher. The most calming. qnletIno
influence Is deep reverence. By such cv-
ercises the spiritual nature il lcyaln,,el .
ana II should be. Successful orators and /
disclaimers use proper tones 4 few suo-
gestions here:
+. Select the lessons. Although all
scripture Is important, it is not equally i'm,
portant; especially all Is not applicable TO
every occasion.
:. In reading, put the sentiments into
the tones
). Make part of it a concert exercise.
Learn by heart certain passages of scrip-
ture. While in these exercises, and in the
school we do not teach sectarianism we
should teach morality. The law makes his
q part of the teachers duty.