The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1885-02-07

OBJECT TEACHING.
4 visit to the Primary Department Of thu
Glendale Public School.

school this afternoon"
Thank you, will do So"
Such was the Invitation from Miss loa
Mintzer, teacher Of the primary depart
ment. At the hour appointed was there
and was ushered in Just as the children
we're reciting their Second Reader. The
lesson finished, the bell taps; eaci child
turns toward his or her seat; another tap;
forward, and all are seated.
"Now, Miss Mintzer, what is all this
paraphernalia here and there-these spooI
splints, buttons, this table and sand, that
attractive chart, that pandora box, and SO
many mysterious objects scattered here and
there"
"Now, cannot tell to what purpose
subject them all at once, SO will tell you
separately how and why use these articles
in teaching. The old system is wearisome
and irksome to child. So when l was
East / learned the new principle of 'object
teaching which is far superior to and more
child's attention at once. Object teaching
creates an independence in the child
teaches it to think for itself, and not stand
on the tip-toe Of expectation, waiting for
whispered answer to the question. The
system is so exact and plain that every
child can easily learn. So again it frames
naturalness. The child gives his own
language. The memory, too, is strength
ened, and really the advantages are so
many that time and space will not permit
a further exposition"
$50, then, each article in its turn comes
in for its share of investigations"
First, the splints, or ordinary toothpicks,
10 in package, bound with rubber band,
as many packages and children, or as many
spools. This is to begin the children in
numbers. How to count, then add, then
subtract. The teacher has pack. She
takes SO many, ?, s. 7. Now, each child
takes as many from its pack, and so on.
Splints are better than spools, the latter be-
ing cumbersome"
Nov, what is this table and sand for?'
ITO teach the children to mold the sep
arate countries. A table feet square, ?
feet high, with an outer rim 4 inches wide
running around SO as to hold the sand. The
top Of the table is covered with marbleized
oilcloth to represent water. About three
pecks of sand--not the ordinary sand, bat
the foundry sand used for molding. Now,
let's represent South America. The sand
is formed to represent that country-pro-
jections, subjections, objections, ETC., all are
formed by the sand. Mountains by COM
pressing sand, valleys by depressions and
rivers by showing the oilcloth. What is
the product Of this State? Whatever it IS,
such is placed upon the sand representing
that State. Now, children, we will take a
voyage from the United States to South
America. Where shall We land" AT Rio
Janeiro.'
And so she entertains the little ones by
giving an interesting account of trip
through the fertile portions Of South
America, making it bon voyage and an in.
structive one. Care is taken to visit the
most important place, SO that in review
questions are asked, such as, "Where did
we first land?" "For what is this city
noted?" "What direction did we take
from that city?" (which is the next i'm
portant place" etc.
snow that pandora box--what is that
for?"
"Well, here you see knife, two spools,
an apple, chalk, book, thread and various
other articles. Now, children, stand near
enough"
Three stand in front in the twinkling If
an eye. The lid opens and closes.
"Now, children, what did you see:"
"Well, l saw an apple
Nothing else'"
ayes; saw a knife and book"
The idea is to develop the power Of OBJ
serving. Eye and brain are put to work.
Memory catches them, and 10, in a moment
aptness, comprehensiveness, ETC., are put to
work.
"Now, the chart:"
"Well, that's to teach the children to
draw. Prospective drawing is soon taught
The idea OF color is here taught"
"Do you really let the children draw
horses, pigs, men and such as that?"
"Why, yes. Why not!"
"Well, remember when boy at school
my teacher caught me in the act Of endeav-
oring to draw horse and his rider. For
that act it was quite while before could
ride horse comfortably. With such i'm
provements It is no wonder the children
are wiser than the AGED. can assure vo.,