Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-03-17
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FE&ks&NN aNs UV0Ak0NM3 M
toaA hslpss fhs Ajcester Tsachers'
nee41s nn March s7th by ". II. aherratt.
tAehSfo q sohooas n district No. ~.
Without further preface I will
submit for your consideration my
views on The subject.
II u essential that We should
realise the fact that We are dealing
with the minds 81 men and women
of the future. Now, man is BY mo-
ture initiative, and knowing this
fact, II Is necessary that we should
place before the minds ofthe young,
principles that will be Of advantage
70 them in after life. We are told
that, "as the twig is bent, the trees
inclined" What a responsibility
then rests upon those who under
take the duty Of training minds SO
plastic as 4 child's.
In order to do this efficiently, my
opinion is, that our schools should
be graded. Indeed, it is a matter
that forces itself on our conviction.
We zee around us daily, the came
principle being carried out in every
walk Of life. In y navy, the boy
Who desires 10 become q skillful
navigator i at first placed before
The mast, % work a. d common sea-
man; and BY diligence, obedience
and ! display Of intelligence he
may arise from grade to grade until
he becomes the head and front Of
the profession to which he has de-
voted himself.
In our army also, men who enlist
a. private soldiers, hope by diligence
and general good conduct, to rise to
eminence in their profession. In
deed, / scarcely need remind you as
we have so many examples Of the
truth Of proverbs-"Seest thou a
man diligent in business? He will
stand before kings; he shall not
stand before men, In our trades
and professions, as / observed before
lin every walk Of life" the princi-
pie Of grading is the rule. And l be.
lieye il is the only practical way, by
which We may hope to succeed
with our pupils.
In a mixed school where only one
teacher is employed, it would in
my mind be an a~bsurdity to
attempt to teach school without
grading the pupils, according to
their ages, general capacity and in.
telligence.
In doing this We must exercise
the greatest care to be just in selec-
tions, for anything like favoriteism
will certainly bring discord and dis.
content in our schools.
The question arises then how
should We grade pupils? SO that they
may all be under the vigilant eye
Of the teacher.
/ believe it is desirable that oul
youngest pupils from the ages Of
TO I years should be placed in ont
class, until such time as they give
evidence Of their proficiency OF ex
tra intelligence to justify us in NOV
ing them to a higher grade, al
ways keeping before the minds o
the pupils the desirability o
making some step in advance
vance in their studies day by day
and also instilling into their minds
that as our poet expresses it:
mo- enjoyment and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But TO live that each tomorrow,
Finds US better than to-day"
And now comes the question o
dealing of what ! would call pupil
of the second class, those who ar,
growing older and are in many in
stances, less tractable than III,
younger pupils. At the age o
from 10 to IA years the mind i
naturally restless and buoyant ant
it is needful that we should use tn
greatest possible caution in restrain
ing them.
Nevertheless we have q duty t,
perform and it is when we ar
troubled most, that brightes
opportunities occur. BY exemplify
ing, in command Of our temper, il
restraining any inclination to be
come angry, and exercising in GU
judgments, love and mercy, a
Shakespeare truly says: ssTis might
lest in the highest. II become
the throned Monarch, better thai
his crown. His Scepter shows tn
force Of temporal power, the attrib
ute TO owe and majesty; wherein
doth sit the dread and fear ofkings
hut mercy is above the sceptere'
sway, it is enthroned in the hear
Of kings, It's an attribute Of CO.
himself"
And If we keep this principle con
stantly in our minds, it will erabl
US to win the respect and oflove GU
pupils.
II "