The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-11-19
HINTS TO TEACHERS.
BY J. 7. DUFF, turERlkrENDENr n BEL
p LAlRE CITY SCHOOL. s.
About Conducting Recitation,


The following simple suggestinns are
without comment. As in all
other business 80 in the business oftedcti.
ing, the teacher may fail, not because he
does know enough, nor because he :
does not possess skill enongh to make
bis work a succes', but because hes does
not put into constant practice what he
does know. II the teacher Of aver
age ability would see bis work prosper,
be must give constant attention 10 the
little details of management. In the
matter zof conducting q reeitasicss tho
WRITER 4peFieBce % 6ome yeosos
has found the following suRgestions of
value:
/. Be careful to have your pupils come
to the recitation seat in an orderly man.
ner. If unnecessary noise is made in Tis.
ing from their study seats request all to
be seated again. A mere hint concern
ing the propriety of quiet movements will
be sufficient. Now give the signal TO rise
again, and satisfactory results will be OBJ
tanned. II pupil walks forward cIum.
silly, request him in quiet and pleasant
voice to try it again aai - 4eis
2. The seats should he so arranged
that each pupil may see you at the same
time. Hpossible, arrange your seats in
a semi, circle. Where this is inconve-
nient, let the benches form three sides Of
rectangle. Avoid having one bench or
seat in fbe rear Of another.
8. Before the class is called, know ex-
actly what topics you are to present, and
the order and manner Of presentation,
Your illustrations should be carefully
studied out beforehand. e'p'''Hs
4 Putyour questions with earnestness,
and look your pupils in the face. It ID
impossible to secure class interest where
the ,eacheris gazing ahstractly off into
space, Let your questions be 2couched
in simple language, short, and to the
point. !, s,, s,tf.s-ssev
/ 5. Require pupils to frame their an
swers with reference to good grammar
and clearness Sentences may be ellipti.
cal under certain circumstances, but the
grammar should be corrected if bad.
h g.. Do not call pupils name before
putting a question to him. Itis sufficient
to look the, pupil whom your question in
the face. Ifthough inattention, be does
mot know that he is called on, or for the
same reason has not understood your,
|question, pass the question to another
wilhoutrepeating it. After q time call
upon the hstless pupil again. 1.-The tails
to give attention this time, quietly order
him to his seat. BY this means inatten-
Ition will soon be broken up, particularly
If your work is fresh and attractive. goio
/ Z. Spend the first half OF every recita-l
ton 10 reviewing the work of preceding
days.
Il 8. Do not call the attention of the class
to a laundering statement which pupil
may have made. AS a general rule, do
not laugh at pupils mistakes. Do not
premit the class to doso. Under no cir
cumstances ridcule a pupil in class. Il
he refuse to prepare his lessons or de-
port himself in q gentlemanly manner,
you have legal and moral rightto CO!
,, erce-to apply the rod il You think best /;
but you have no sort of rightto lash his
spirit with the whip of ridicule. 9ai G.i
g. As much as possible stand while
conducting the recitation. 1t is almost
impossible to awaken enthusiasm prop
ped up in a comfortable chair. A law.
, yer in arguing an important case before .
jury would scarcely think of bolstering
! him self up in an srm-chair. 90 Il IA,
J. 10. Use, the text book as little az pcs.
. sible during the recitation. Be careful,
however, that you have used 1t most
faithfully beforehand. sls'ae g
i IL. Ifyour illustration does not make
the point clear, use another. Do not
: give the subjectup until your class see
+ the point. 4aNaf 81 n ysi,
/ II. Do not premit your class to see
!. that you are discouraged. Be cheerful.
I Conduct your recitation with . smile
. Don't frown. Don't scold. aA
! .l3. Give more attention to the dull
;, pupil than to others. Do not select oui
! the easiest questions for him. Do mol
. frame your questions in such manner 90
!. to suggest the answers. f'sss
al Ia Ifyou are questioned on point in
= the lesson, refer the question, usually
= back to the class for an answer. Tel
+ the class nothing which you can get The
4 class to tell you.