The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1882-05-18
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
SCHOOL MATTERS.
r~DF~@r ~~~u~
NJ. A. DOANE, Editor.

cCEOOL KOOMS.
Where such variety exists as with
school rooms, officers and teachers, it
is difficult to draw any lines, but l
shall attempt to draw an outline which
will enable each to ''classify" himself
or herself.
First, there are those who know and
do; second, those who know and don't
do; third, those who don't know and
do-blunder; and last, those who
neither know nor care to do.
All of these are represented in our
county. l shall not individualize, but
each one may try on the several shoes
and see how they fit.
This week the school room will be
considered, not as the greatest need,
but to locate our work. In my visits I
have found rooms in all conditions;
from the neat room, we'll supplied with
maps and pictures, to the bare walls
and curtainless windows.
I have also found school rooms
where all the divisions Of land and wa
ter were outlined on the walls by the
rain, which, dripping through some
crevice and trickling down the walls,
had left its fantastic tracery in the
dirt which seemed to lie the accumula-
ton of years. l have seen the boys
blowing with pencil or knife into the
mixture Of grease and wood which
they had for desk. These mimic
farming operations are right enough
in the sand pile outside, but cur phys
ical natures demand that soil he we'll
2reated before it be held in Close con-
tact with the nose.
1t is a fact acknowledged by all
thinking persons, -slnce Darwin led the
world to notice it, that the surround
ings Of a person have Il great effect up
on his Development The child reared
in neatness and order, will be neat and
orderly; while one brought up to shov
ell its way through mass of disorder
will take no pains to leave the world
any better for his successor. Each
little item in the family and the school
room has its effect for good or evil up
on the growing human. Each little
trait of the child advertises the capa-
bility of its parents and teachers, of
its surroundings at home and at
school.
1t may be complained that this is
bringing the family into the school,
and so it is; rather connecting what has
too long been kept separate The fam
lily, school and workshop are but dit
erent steps tending to the same devel-
epment. The school room should he
as much a part of our life, as much
connected with it, us the home or the
field. 1t should be Il place where the
boy or girl may learn how to become a
citizen, instead of, rs is too often the
case, a mental barn wherein is to he
slowed great cart-]oads Of dry facts
and dryer ''rules.'' Let the school
room be place where the young stu.
dent may learn what is being done 10y
mankind, first home, and Their the
great world beyond.
School districts will Fl I'D that money
is we'll expended In putting copies Of
papers of different kinds in the school
room-anl see that the teachers use
them properly. What kind Of papers,
some may ask. The ''newspaper"
first, but give the ''young idea'' a
chance to know the scientific, the po-
litical and the religious workings Of
the world, then let him draw his own
conclusions. II any teacher formu-
lates ''creed" in the school room,
whether of education, politics or relig-
ion, throw him or her out and try an
other.
Some may say all this is too much
trouble. will not dispute about that;
it all depends upon the value of your
children, and as you act, so you value
them.
l am not advocating any great ex-
pense; we'll know the need Of econo-
my in many Of our districts.
1t is not the costly building nor the
fire finish that has the best influence
for the child's development; it Is the
room that has the most of life as the
world has it; the room that is neat,
clean and full Of pure air, with physic-
al and mental comfort and natural
beauty.
Surround your children with such
AS these, leave them free frem dead and
musty ''laws," let them know the
world with .all it's failings and give
them freedom to correct them, and
your children will grow up purer,
brighter and more handsome.
Some may think that all this will
crowd out the ''studies.' I sincerely
wish it may, and crowd ir a little ccm M
mon sense-the most uncommon thing
in the world.
To he continued
Mr.. RichaEd Crowley, Of Salem,
Mass, says, II can, from personal ex:
perience, recommend Browns Iron
Bitters as being Il permanent cure for
Indigestion, dyspepsia, sick stomach,
painful urinatiOn. etc. It readily
strengthens the whole human system.
Its effect is most wonderful.
And now comes some astronomer
and says we are not to have a great
comet with stupendous tail
this year. Well, well, this is trifline
with some of the liveliest feelings Of
the human heart.<
All hard workers are subject to bill.
ieus attacks which my end in danger.
Gus illness. Parker's Ginger Tonic
will keep the kidneys and liver active,
and Ivy preventing the attack save
much sickness, loss of time and ex-
pense. Delay at such times means
danger.-Detroit Press. See other
column.
Beach Il Co., of Minneapolis, 1finn.,
dealers in type, presses, printing ma.
cllinery and supplies, have sent us a