The Delta independent., 1888-11-27
PUBLIC SCHOOL WORK.
PAPER READ AT THE TEACHERS CoNvES.
TIoN By f. p. MINToS-CoNTISUED
FROM LAST WEEK.

PAPER READ AT THE TEACHERS CONVES-
TIoN By F. p. MINToS-CoNTISUED
FROM LAST WEEK.
Too much attention cannot easily be given
to proper positions. There should never be
scarcity of books. If possible each scholar
should have one, and the inconvenience of
two or three looking on the same hook is
avoided, which is often the sole cause OF ds-
like for the reading recitation. The class
should not be permitted to c,pear careless
and Indifferent; they should be taught to
stand in natural positions; heads erect, shout
ders we'll thrown back, to allow the fullest
possible expansion of the respiratory organs,
books held as to be most easily read
Breathing exercises should he regularly
practiced. The exercises serves to train the
pupil 10 the haoit of taking breath before
commencing sentence, rather than the bad
habit of stopping to breathe in the middle of
a sentence. as well as to strengthen the voice
The problem of rate of movements is one of
the most difficult to properly solve which the
teachers have to contend with, for it is verv
rare, indeed, that a pupil will read with
proper time without having received consd-
more likely to have fouad the habit of too
fast reading than too slow. Reading in con-
cert is the very best method in my experience
for overcoming habits of this kind. The
teacher should read sentence in advance of
the class with the right time, tone and ex-
presssion, requiring close attention in the
meantime by each pupil The class should
h. IL a..
and should endeavor to read exactly together.
If this kind of drill is properly conducted
and continued, the question of rate or move
ment ceases to be difficulty. The concert
exercise is equally as important in whatever
grade; but to be successfully conducted re-
quires effort and perseverance on the part of
the teacher. He shoul1 be able to articulate
distinctly each of the elementary sounds and
should thoroughly understand all there is in
connection with the subject of photography.
All exercises which tend to develop the vocal
organs are best conducted, as a rule, in CON
cert drill, economy of time being an mpor-
tant feature.
The class should be exerciced on pitch till
any tone from very low to very high can be
used as the keynote. This can be accom-.
plished by the teacher leading in the different
tones and requiring the class to initiate.
Those pupils who are back ward in catching
the tones should receive special attention
until they acquire the power of changing
from one tone to another. To read with suf-
fcient force on any one pitch is not always
easy to accomplish even by the teacher HIM
self Nearly all pupils in our school are de-
fectiye in this respect. They mistake eleva-
ton of tone for force. Careful drill should
be given on force, until the pupils are able to
discern between the two Reading in the
monotone with very low pitch and as much
force as possible is a good exercise and in
creases the strength of the voice. The pitch
may be varied from very low to high, and
very high with increasing force and chang
ing from reading in monotone in high to
monotone in low pitch with variation in
force.
Careful attention should be given by the
teacher to the quality of the tones in each ex-
ercise. He should insist IN pure tone and
make the class understand the difference be-
tween harsh discordant, nasal-twanged tones
and those which are resonant, well rounded
and pure.
The most common faults I have had to
contend with in the reading of poetry is that
of sing-song style, sacrificing the sense of
the poem to the rhythm, and the inclination
to read too fast. The best remedies for these
hindrances is an exaggerated personation by
the teacher, of the faults; also an effort on
the teachers part to make the pupils thor
oughly understand the thoughts to be con
veyed, and, if possible. cnthuse them with
the true spirit of the poem.
Short reading exercises are much better
than long ones. The best results are Sc
cured by drilling the class on certain difficult
selections, until they can be well read by
each member before assigning another lesson.
The whole reading exercise had better be de-
voted to the reading of Il few lines sem
tences properly, than number OF pages care
lessly hurried over with due attention beng
given to all those qualities which combine to
make up proper reading.
An occasional lesson in which each meni-
ber of the class is assigned certain part to
memorize and recite, giving reasons for any
peculiarities of expression he may consider
necessary, is a very good variation, IN ad.
vanced classes, to develop originality.
The rhetorical class (Which should be a |
part of the weekly work of every well regu-
lated SCHOOL, is an important factor in devei-
oping love for reading or speaking.
No duty should be left undone. fyou