The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-04-04
Educational Matters.
SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

Educational Matters.
SCHOOL. LIBRARIES.
The grammar school life of the aver |
age boy or girl is the most critical in |
the educational career. This lie the |
time when the fever for all unlikely
things runs high. So, too. it is the time
when the full energies of the wise teach
er are bent to teaching his pupils to
forsake the bad and foolish, and cleave
to the good and profitable. This can
not be done by lecturing; for more de
,pends upon the man behind the word
than upon any thoughts that he may
utter. Teach morality by history and
biography. The reading hour is one of
the most useful helps in the grammar
school course for this true teaching.
Right reading will stimulate the best
thoughts aud feelings in our nature.
Character is moulded only by converse
with character. The best books should
introduce us to the best thoughts of
the best men.
Happy are the children who have
free access to sohool-library. A sys-
tenn OF free libraries connected with
the schools should be established, and
these plentifully supplied with working
tools in the shape Of reference books.
This would effect refOrmatory work
whose value would far transcend all
other agencies.
Charming has said, "Books are tho
trne Jewelers. They give to all who
faithfully use them the society, the spir-
itual presence Of the greatest and best
of our race"
A good school library would do
much to neutralize this baneful effect
OF fash literature, and go far to inspire
the pupils with desire to read
healthier and more nutritious class of
books The gems of classical litera-
tnre, when suited to the comprehen-
sion OF the pupil, can be made very
valuable. The individual tendencies
OF pupils must be suited by the teacher,
aud. when this is done, be will not be
At loss what reading to recommend.
Every teacher should be library di.
rector "Next to having knowledge
mto know where knowledge is."
METHODS.
In witnessing the almost supe, hu-
man efforts OF teachers to CONT oil aud
train the uneasy, active and nervous
children, the question will arise, "Is
there not some way in which all this
superabundance, this wealth Of energy.
that now works off in ways of annoy.
ance to teachers, can be utilized Ia
modes of calture = We fully believe
there is such way, and that the teach.
er is gradually coming to better un-
derstaDding of this way.
A characteristic of children ia their
unceasing activity, frequently showing
itself in constant desire to do some
thing with the hands AZ well az with
the eyes. This will be turned to good
account by the wise teacher; the
training of the hand in writing com.
plete aud carefully prepared statements
upon the important subjects in each
study. There are several advantages
in this method the p.pils become bet
ter writers they prepare the lesson
more accurately and remember it lon
ger; they are quieter during study
hour.
Another characteristic of child life is
their walking by sil hit rather than by
faith. Hence the interest manifested
by the young in museums. They like
TO see and handle objects, and are
always ready and delighted to bring
70 the school room collections of min
erals, plants, relics. The civil war
seems more real after they have handled
some relic from the battle field of Get
tysburg.
China seems nearer when the Joss
stick has been seen. Distant cities and
beautiful landscapes are brought to
them by means of the stere0scopic
views. But in doing all this we must
bear In mind that entertainments,
picture gazing and picture making dc
not constitute the whole of education
Unlike harp study, these things fail tc
develop the powers OF the mind and
strengthen the memory. Like sweet
meats they must BE- taken with proper
moderation.
Whatever methods we employ let u,
keep in mind the oft repeated adage-
"EducatiOn is development it is, il
no sense, a creation"
AMELIA ARMSTRONG.
cArAwIssA SCHOOLS.
= Schools here are moving very pleas
antly have 420 pupils enrolled. AT
tendance not so good owing to sick
ness.
We are now making little prepare
ton for closing exercises on April l0tl
Can't you be with US 7
o. II. BAKELEss.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.
q" Local institutes are unknown her,
and repeated attempts to have then
have met with As many failures Di
rectors and teachers meet once eacl
month when reports are examined
salaries paid, and any trouble existiae
10 the schools reported. So far n,
trouble has arisen in any of our schools
and we hope the future report will b,
as favorable as the past has been en-
couraging
We have four schools, with an aver
age attendance Of forty pupils for eacl
school. Our school term is six months
one month longer than any previou
term. This extra month and the furn
ishing of one of the houses with i'm
proved furniture Decessitated a higl
tax, which caused considerable 'grum
bling" but this subsidized after ou
schools got in operation, and now all i
quiet. Il is a great drawback that NJ
reserve fund has been provided for tn
support of our public schools. Ha,