River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-12-24

Communications to the Editor at Ellsworth
Wisconsin,
The Reading Circle continues to ad
vance in numbers as we'll as interest
and profit. Over eighty members are
now enrolled in the various Circles
The Local Managers report work mas.
tered ranging from 100 to $50 pages in
each subject, and that the meetings
are characterized by enthusiasm and
zeal. The following outline of work
for December will please be preserved
by Circle readers for study and refer
ence:
PAGE. Read from page 186 to page
go. The matter of this chapter needs
to be not merely understood and learn
ed, but adopted among the fixed con-
victions of teachers. In the first sec
ton II III aud V. afford matter for
further discussion than that given in
the books, and in the second section
H., w., VII. and VIII.
HISTORY. Read from page ll3 to
page 1853. "Tke greatest length of
Uellas from north to south is about
$50 English miles; its greatest width
is about 1870 miles, which is somewhat
less than the size of Portugal" Rdw-
HnSOn. Compare with Wisconsin.
The book is arranged so as to diminish
greatly the confusion likely to over
take the learner in dealing with an
extensive period and various states.
The chapter is divided into sections
by head lines, and the sections into
paragraphs which begin with title or
c,,b:no+ ,>,;Dtad in darkor IaFfaro RU
mastering first the section headings,
and afterwards. under each those of
the paragraphs, one will obtain brief
outline readily held in the memory.
The chronology Up. 1922 should be con-
stantly studied. These are the more
important dates, which should re FIX.
ed in the memory by constant repeti-
ton: Dorian migration, first OLYMPIC
adj, Scion, battle Of Marathon, Age of
Pericles. PeloponnesiaD War, Alexan-
der the Great. The notes at the bot
tom of the pages are deserving of
special attention for the interest and
Importance of the matter contained in
them
PHYSIOLOGY. Read chapters 10 and
IL. They are of great Importance
and should be thoroughly mastered.
Constant use should be made of the
illustrations to which reference is
made in the text, so as to form in the
mind distinct pictures of the shape,
and relative size and position of the
several organs. Observe that the gen
eral plan of the two chapters is given
in paragraphs l, 2 and 3, OF chapter
10. Paragraph 5: What is gland!
What other kinds have been previous
ly described! Every statement in PIP.
6-l0 aud in Is, should be substantial
ed by examination of your own body.
Note and perfoIm all the experiments
mentioned in PIP. Is and Is. In chap
ter ii find out clearly how each of the
important food-stuffs enumerated In
chapter 8. PIP. and 8, is digested.
Plate Ill. and the explanation should
be carefully studied. Give especial
attention to the italicized words, mas
tering fully the meaning of each one.
ADVANCED COURSE.
QUICK. Read from page 80 to page
49, The maxims of Ratich will be ac-
cepted as sound at the present day by
the most advanced educational think
ers. Four. five, six and seven are es-
pecially important. So far as concerns
the natter of instruction he is hui
manist. In C0menius we strike re-
former of a different type. He is
more profound and less ineligible,
takes more comprehensive and prac-
tical view of the work of education,
and actually accomplished important
reforms in education, of which Ratlch
failed. He is realist-that is, he
insists upon giving a knowledge of
things as in contrast with the eXclu-
sively language training of the hu-
manists. This, and his text books,
together with his broad scheme for
the organizing of education, constl-
tute his great service.
WAYLAND. Read from page 80 to
the end of the first chapter, emitting
section X. The section omitted is
metaphysical, and not important as
related to what follows or to teaching
The discussion of each of the senses
will be thoroughly understood and
easily mastered, if the reader adheres
persistently to two practices, first of
verifying each statement when posi-
BILE from his own experience, and Sec
ond, of noting the thoughts OF each
paragraph on slip of paper by catch
word or phrase, SO that the whole dis
cussion may be rapidly passed in re-
view. In undertaking any new branch
of study. the first steps are always I'M
satisfactory and discouraging. 1t is
necessary to advance some time before
things grow clear and can be seen in
their relations. This is especially
true of mental science, but ought not
to discourage any one from undertak
inc it. It's chief value arises from
this fact, It introduces the reader to
new realm of thought, and therefore
at first a puzzling one; but new
realm of great practical value to those
who are to teach. You have to deal
with minds, and the first step to really
intelligent work with them is to learn
to think abont mental operations.
After the first difficulties are over
cOme-and they ought to disappear
during the second month if the work
is done well-the study is not more
difficult, and certaialy not less inter
esting, than other sciences.
The Teachers Associations that
have been SO far held have been
largely attended and teachers have
evidenced more enthusiasm in pre-
sentation and discussion than has ever
been our lot to observe. All who are
teaching or aspiring to teach will bear
in mind that attendance on Assocla'
tions and Institutes is a great step III
the directi of professional prepare
ton, and all who ignore this which Is
due to their profession will be consid
cred as hacking in devotion to theiI
| calling AS well as in public enterprise
and progression.