River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-07-23

the columns OF last week S journal we
defer our promised report of last
week.
The study of physiology and n.y.
giene with reference to the effects of
narcotics and stimulants on the syS-
TEN is to become one of the common
school branches required to be taught
of Jan. 1885, Teachers will be required
to pass an examination on this sub
ject the coming spring. A valuable
little book which may be used either
as a school text book or for teachers
use. entitled How we Live, has been
prepared and is sold by D. Appleton &
Co., Chicago. 1t has received the
appreciation Of the State Board of
Health and we suggest that every
teacher provide himself with a copy.
OPTIONAL STUDIES.
No argument is needed to show
that reading. writing, spelling, Ian
guage and arithmetic form the COM
mon foundation of all education. No
matter what special line of work one
may follow, no matter what profess
sion he may choose, these studies he
must have, and if they are well
taught in our country schools-taught
so as to give the student power to get
from books what there Is in them, TO
express his knowledge properly in
speech and writing and to use num-
beers skillfully, there will seldom be
time left for anything else.
The progress Of pupils is often re-
tarded by putting them ahead too fast,
and perhaps permitting them to study
some higher branch before they were
qualified to do 50. When, however,
they really have pretty thoroughly
mastered the common branches, it is
proper and indeed desirable, that
opportunity be given them to continue
their studies in the district school.
The following subjects in our iudg-
ment rank next in Importance to the
common branches. One or more of
them may be introduced into the
school when the pupils are unques-
tionably qualified to do the work.
Book Keeping-No one doing even
moderately large business can afford
to be ignorant of bookkeeping. In
this country where the credit system
prevails to a greater extent than in
any other, and where more is bought,
sold, and consumed per capita than
anywhere else in the world. knowl.
edge Of the subject is peculiarly valu.
able. 1t is difficult to say who may
not need it. Bryant and Stratton' S
Common School Book Keeping still re,
tains its supremacy as practical text
| book.
Algebra. This is q favorite study
with both teachers and pupils. The
reason, perhaps, is that it is the easiest
of all studies to teach-in the mechan
| icaI routine way in which it is usually
| taught-and that it requires less
patience, perseverance and thought
on the part of pupils than most schoo
work. All things considered | think
this the most Improbable subject
| taught i'm our schools. Only hear and
| there teacher is able TO make it q
/ a means Of valuable mental discipline
and the number of persons ever hav
| ing occasion to use knowledge of i
is very limited.
| Dr1wing assists in near
| Iy every study. Good spelling de
bends oh a memory of forms. Draw
ing strengthens the memory. Writ
Ing and drawing mutually aid eacl
other. The best teachers teacl
geography By means of drawing. Thi
subject is not a mere accomplishment
az many suppose, but is useful il
nearly all trades aud Indispensable il
many. 1t il hoped that teachers vii
give this subject more attention il
/ Tie Primary Form.