River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-11-12
4 sem mnRns ARou1 DISCIPLINE.

l. Webster gives among other den
nitions these two as applying to the
word, discipLindridn: cone WHO is
stickler in regard 70 rules and regula-
tions'' and zone who eXcels in train
ing and instruction. 1t is much TO
be feared that the pedagogue of times
past was too often included under the
first description. Occasional reIer-
ences to him in literature warrant the
impression that he was too often
school-ntaSter and little more. Few
teachers, indeed, who have received
any inspiration from the recent pro-
| gress in their art are willing to be
cIassed as sticklers for rigid obedl-
| ence. merely for the sake OF obedience
itself. They would not manage chill
dren as the automatic i'll a waX-Works
exhibition; nor do they create soil
tude in the schOol-rOOm and call IL
discipline.
| III. Tt has been said by its oppo-
nents that the New Education favors,
and promotes, disorder in school man.
| agement; but this is wholly mis-
| apprehension. Were it necessary,
however, the allegation might be adj
| mitted as true; and it could yet be
| shown that worse features than 'dls-
order" are possible in the school-room.
| But the actual principle held is this:
| All good discipline is fruitful in living
| results of right training and right IN
| struction.
III. What are the practical tests
of the training of good discipline!
| The first visible result should be an
intelligent interest, on the pupil S
| part, in study and school work. Sec
| ond, Just discipline results III respect
| if not friendship, for the teacher'
| He who does not command respect In
| the school-roOm is, to say the least,
no disciplinarian. Third, the results
of good discipline are seen in ruling
sentiment, among the pupils, tavora-
bic to politeness, good order and NOR
| alitv. Fourth, discipline of the right
sort will show itself in clean and de-
cent language on the playground.
Fifth, good discipline is accompanied
bv system in the changing of classes
and other movements. Sixth, 1t will
teach neatness and cleanliness. Sew
enth, good discipline is marked by a
good degree of promptness and pune
tuality.
Nv. 1t is easier, perhaps, to state
results than to formulate directions,
whereby to attain this perfection.
Really the great secret lies In the first
two tests proposed-an intelligent In
terest in study and a respect for the
teacher. An idle mind, the devil
workshop; an idle and lndiferent
school, the incubator of Thousand
denominations. 1t has been said that
the ease of governing increases as the
square of the interest. Double the
work done and there will be only one
fourth the mischief going on.
Y. But let it be supposed that the
teacher possesses a fair degree OF
power in imparting interest, but fails
in attaining the respect OF his School.
What then! Well, the fault is wholly
his own and he must enquire within
for the explanation. A bad, snappish,
or surly temper; too great familiarity
with pupils; too great desire shown to
gain their good will; marked unclean'
illness. or lack of neatness; oddities In
dress or language; failure to correct
promptly the first evidences of DIS
respect: lack of courage and firmness
all these are fruitful of failure here.
Again. lack of sharp eyesight OF
hearing, on the part of the teacher
may be the first cause of dlsrespect.
The urchin who can eat an apple IN
school and stuff the core into ms
neighbours ear, without detection, Will
have no great reverence for the mas
ter The teacher must aodfch lest
the pupils fall into temptation and
snare. Lastly, and most important
of all, lack of christian principle and
the true qualities of a gentlemen or
lady will be fatal to the teachers sue
cess in this direction. Children Judge
somewhat instinctively of character,
and soon detect anything like sham In
the teacher. A wordy profession OF
christianity is not essential, or desIra'
1 BILE, hut an instructor of the young
should have the qualities OF truth,
honor, courtesy and gentleness pre-.
Idominant. To say nothing IN regard
to the teachers personal success, how
can he who is wanting in these char
acteristics be safe guide for future
men and women. PRESCOTT.