Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-10-26
Use OF NEWSPAPERS IN SCHOOLS.

The nineteenth century is light
ning.footed age, and in order that the
teacher and his pupils may not be left
behind, it is necessary that they may
be cup and doing"
The great demand in our schools is
for moro general information, and
every teacher should do all in his power
to induce his pupils to investigate and
to think. Many of our pupils can re.
peat definitions, rules, dates, axioms,
etc, who can explain the primary
working Of the Government in which
they live, or give tho reason for the
simple phenomena Of nature that are
Of every day occurrence.
In order to get pupils of different
dispositions interested in our general
exercises, we must use a great deal Of
ingenuity in our selections, for great
variety of subjects will be necessary
to the reaching of all the pupils.
The subject OF literature is gaining
the attention of many Of our teachers.
Let us discuss briefly the methods by
which we can getour pupils interested
in literary pursuits.
Select choice poetry or prose and
have portion read at morning exer.
cses, sometimes by the teacher and
sometimes by the pupils, Do not stop
with the reading but get as many
thoughts reproduced by the school as
possible, and then let the teacher make
further comment. After reading selec.
tions from a standard author, a sketch
of bis life should be read and pupils
should give the leading points from
memory. Continue this study Of
biography in the reading classes have
questions for the next day and en-.
courage and assist pupils in gaining
the required information. This habit
of regular and continued investigation
is of incalculable value TO any person.
Pupils will soon become interested in
the lives of great men aud the lessons
learned can not fail to elevate the
standard of morality. A good morning
exercise consists in having pupils to tell
something they have read. But few
will have anything at first, but others,
not wishing TO bo behind, will begin
"to read up" and still better, to remem.
Der what is read. But there will be
many who, from timidity or careless.
ness, will take no part in such exer.
cisos. TO get these to profit by the
exercises requires the teachers in.
gcnuity and knowledge Of human no.
turc. They must bc dealt with care.
fully at first, and the teacher should
remember that they have feelings
which be should respect To give
pupils start, cut short items from the
papers and distribute them among the
pupils, allowing them 70 rise at their
seats and read them. The pupils will
very soon sec that the teacher takes
an interest in them, and the beginning
Of a great good is made.
We sometimes spend a Friday even.
ing in general newspaper reading.
Several papers are brought TO school
and We really ehjoy the news report.
ing better than any literary exercise
we have.
But that which creates the most ex.
citement in our Query Department.
Miscellaneous questions are placed
on the blackboard in the evening, aud
the answers are called for in the morn.
ing. Some Of the queries given below
have not only excited the school to
hard study, but they have gotten up
great interest in the town and sur.
rounding neighborhood.