River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-01-25
EL0cUTioa
BY THos. ]. M'AEpREw .

again choose my favorite subject upon
which to say a lew words. Do not let the word
ELocuTIos appall you and cause you to ex-
claim, "Well, elocution has no place in orr
common school work." because it has; al
though not as prominent place as it should
have in our curriculum.
There is no need of argument to sustain the
assertion that reading is most important
study as it is the key to the study of all other
branches and subjects; and a person can
acquire knowledge from the writings of 9th.
ers according to his ability, or inability to
read Understandings.
Pres. Parker, in lecture before bedy of
teachers, said: "Teachefs should give par
ticular attention to the teaching Of reading;
and that the pupils of our schools should he
taught to read well, at least" We are all
willing to admit this automatic truth. yet
when we look back upon our work, how
many OF us can say that our pupils are learn
ing to read well, that some OF them are good
readers, and that we are doing all that we
should in this direction?
My object in writing this article is not to
discuss the superiority of the Word Method
in comparison with some other, because my
idea is. that there is more in the work, earn
estness and common sense OF the teacher,
than there is in this method, or that method,
or some other method), but to give few
hints in regard to advanced reading.
The textbook that use for my advanced
class is, s. s. Hamill's Science of Elocution,
which is the best book ON the subject that
has come under my observation. 1t treats
fully of classification Of the oral elements and
articulation, and let me say here, that the
teacher should drill pupils well in correct
pronunciation, by requiring the class to spell /.
in concert part of the lesson, by sound, and
to analyze some OF the words in the lesson.
In connection with this work bring In a list
of words that are often mispronouuced, such
as; often, benzine, area, etc, and have them
learn to pronounce correctly. A great dea !
of time may be probably spent in this
way.
The cultivation OF the organs of the voice
is important, and good way to do this is to
have breathing exercises. inhaling and ex-
haling, inhale and then prolong some vowel
exhaling; try and have pupils excel in this
work, lie see which pupil can count longest
" prolong vowel sound without inhaling.
Five minutes spent in this way, in each reci-
tatlon, is time well spent, for. besides being
beneficial as a means of acquiring control OF
the vocal organs, it is very condu Give to
health, as it enlarges the lungs and leads to
correct habits of breathing.
Another thing that should be seen to, is the
position in which pupils stand. We should
insist that they stand erect, shoulders well
thrown back Ito allow room for the lungs
the book held high enough so that the head
will not incline forward Thereby COMPRISING
the larynxl, and tar enough from the eye to
prevent ort-sightedness, (about go per
cent. of short-sighted folks are made so
during school life The body should rest
chiefly on the left foot, the right foot slightly
in advance and at an angle OF 75 degrees with
the left foot.
1t is necessary to analyze the selection as
to the meaning of the author, emphatic
words, infections, the style, and also deter
mine the form of voice, quality. force, pitch,
and rate with which the piece should be
read. This OF course implies that the pupil
should have received training in meditation
sufficiently to assume any rate pitch, force,
or quality according to the sentiment to be
expressed.
In order to teach reading well, it is neces-
sary for the teacher to be good reader, and
it is with reading as with writing great
deal of practice il. needed Especially should
the examples which we take for the different
qualities, etc , be persistently studied and
practiced until the pupil can apply them to
any piece under consideration.
We should read naturally, with feeling,
and in pleasant and agreeable tone OF
voice.
For fear of monopolizing the "eolumn"
shall draw this article to close.