Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1883-04-05
PRIMARY LESSONS IN NUMBERS.

PRIMARY LESSONS IN NUMBERS. /
1 commence with children in num-
bers as soon IS they enter school, by
giving to each one few seeds, (or any
thing to COUNT givingNthem the first
day three seeds, and have them count
them, and learn to know the figures by
sight. 1 then ask them questions in the
following manner: Take one seed from
three seeds and how manyIwin be leftP
Two seeds from three seeds leave how
manyP One seed and two5gseeds are
how many seedsP etc.; having them
perform the actual work with the Eseeds
at their desks; thus teaching them the
principles of addition and subtraction at
the same time.
After they understand adding and
substracting the seeds, take other OBJ
jects as illustrations; as, take one bali
from three balls and how many will be
leftP One book and two books are how
many booksP and so on ad ibitum
Then make the figures on the black
board, and have the pupils copy them
on their states (for every child should
by all means be provided with slate)
and leave them there to do their silent
work; for their eyes will wander in that
direct once in while, and they viii
look at them with a new interest now
that they know what they mean, thus
impressing them more firmly on the
mind.
With some the making of the figures
will be mere play, while with others it
will prove very easy task, and at first
the figures will resemble Egyptian
hieroglyphics more than any thing else,
but patience and perseverance will even
tually win.
Another day take four seeds in the
same manner, and as soon as they COM
prehend that another, until they have
an idea of the relative value of figures.
AS they advance teach them the mean
ing of the signs plus, minus and equal
ity, how to count &c. The principles of
multiplication and division may be
taught in thessamesmanner.
When they are old enough to study
the tables, there are several methods
that my be used quite successfully. 1
will give few that have found to be
interesting to the pupils. If am press
ed for time, have them set in front Of
me with slate, and pencils, and as ask
the question, they write the answers in
large figures on their states and turn
themsaroundsso that I may see them. In
this way all are reciting at once, thus
preventing them from gazing around
| the. school-room, after they have re-
cited until time. for them to recite again,
as is frequently done when they recite
in, turns. By this means can do more
with class.of fifteen pupils in ten min.
utes, than can in half hour by hear.
ing them recite the tables separately.
Avery good way to teach the multi.
plication table, is to, have them sing the
tables to marching tuneSwith chorus
at the end of each verse i. e. table, and
have them march. When pupils begir
to get tired it is well to have the entire
school join in the singing and marching
thus affording them recreation and
learning them the tables at the same
time.
Another plan is to have. all the class
stand in circle, and allowing one pupil
to stand in the center Cor take the place
of honor as we call it) while the other
members of the class in turn ask him
promiscous questions on the lesson as.
signed for the day He may keep his
place as long as he answers the ques-
tons correctly, but if he misses, the
first one to answer right takes his place
and woe othe pupil who takes the
tsplace of honor'' who has not studied
his lesson, for there are ten or fifteen
pupils in the ring, who are anxious to
make him miss that they may take his
place. Whenever any question arises
as TO who answers first, or answers cor
rectly. decide for them; but I try to
get along with as little assistance as pos
slide, in order to learn them to depend on
themselves.
They had considerable fun over this
and l think they enjoy it for a time
quite as well as their, out door games.
Someor all of these methods of teach
ing may. be familiar to Others, but l have
given nay waysJef teaching this branch
and now want to hear of some one else.
''The mind of man is like crystal the
more light it receives the more it re-
fleets" So give US light that it may re-
fleet in the, minds of our pupils.
ASSISTANT EDITOR.