The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1881-11-26
EDUCATIONAL CoLUslN.
SCHOOL GOVERNMENT.

] do not wish here to touch the
question of whether physical force
ought to be one of the things which
a teacher should use in governing
school, but to speak of some things
that will certainly help or hinder In
school management, though perhaps
incidentally.
First. feel we'll. Do all you can to
be in full bodily strength and vigor.
1t helps to self-posscssion which
greatly helps to possession Of the
pupils. 1t is easy to see in part why
it helps in moral strength to have an
abundant physical strength to draw
upon; wearincss and irritability are
direct foes Of personal power; hope
fulness, patience, justice, do have a
very direct relation, in the ease with
which they are held and exercised,
to a good digestion and circulation.
A teacher ought to be up above
his pupils, on higher plane; his
work is to help them up, and chill
dren, as rule, look up with degree
Of respect aud admiration to real
men and women as to sort Of supe
rior beings; and so they are, or ought
to be. And where respect and adj
miration are given, control and gut
dance are very easy. The childs
standard Of superiority is, however,
oftentimcs very limited and partial
one; and teacher who has not
abundant physical strength will find
1t much harder to have or to mani
fest his moral and intellectual supe-
riority. School government depends
on the child's recognizing some sort
of superiority in the teacher or teach
cr's ideas. The teacher should be
just as much Of a king,-according
to the original Specification, the can
ing man, the man who can do the
best of all his pcoplc,--to his pupils
as possible. And to the expression
of his personal power strong health
is very important adjunct, although
not always absolutely necessary.
BE careful, then, Of all things that
give or economize strength. If you
are boarding, be willing to pay fifty
cents q week more for better bread
and butter, meat and vegetables,
than can be had for cheaper rates.
1t is thoroughly profitable for any
one, none more so than teacher, to
live well. Economy in any way that
affects health is poor economy.
Teaching is hard work,--at least
many times it is; save your strength
in the school-room in reasonable
ways. Do not stand all the time,
hear at least part Of the recitations
sitting; have rubber shoes to come
to school in vet weather, but by all
means something light of weight to
wear in the school room.
Second, there is moral effect, too,
in dressing we'll, not finely, but al
ways neatly and with adoption; and
for woman, prcttily. 1t certainly
is easier for a teacher to control a
school II tidy In dress. A reasonable
degree Of formality in school exer-
cises is a help in having them run
smoothly.
Drill,-that is the habit Of obcdi-
ence to certain regular, daily forms,
helps in securing obedience in all
things. l have been in q school
where some Of the rccitations were
heard when the children gathered in
a group around the teacher; in some
they stood in a struggling line on
the floor, coming and going as they
pleased; while other recitations the
teacher heard by going and standing
near where the pupils sat; and pupils
came at all times with questions.
The school was noisy and illmanncr'
ed. ! think that drill in some things
that are in themselves mere forms
things that carried to excess become
machinery, would have helped that
school. Forms and ceremonies, IN
degree, are helpful to really good or
der. A school that is classified car
be more easily kept orderly than i
it is not. Pupils to whom it is hare
to furnish any motive for doing well
will appreciate promotion or degra
dation. 1t is of no use to appeal t.
a pupil unless he cares something TO
the motive presented, and SOM
whose sense Of honor it is hard u
touch, and who care comparatively
little for other available motives, vii
care good deal to keep with a Ger
tain class.
In schools Of small children, TIVE
recesses in each session is, as thinl
wiser plan than one, and helps ii
securing reasonable degree of qui
etness and attention during the res
of the time; for uneasiness and dull
ness in pupils, like Impotence ani
| lack Of mental clearness on the teach
er's part, are largely Of physical ori
gin.
| Feel we'll, then, and have your pm
pills feel we'll, and school manage
ment will be exempt from some q
| its real difficulties.
NsrDs or 7EE SCHOOLS. Good
common-scns backed by = good
moral character, are qualities Of ster'
| ls,.or x,e1ua a M can ha enorafked I'm.