River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-02-02
How TO int oduce the Course of Study

How TO int oduce the Course of Study.
This is a problem which the young
teacher must meet upon the very TIRES
hold of his experience, and upon the
proper solution of which will depend in
great measure his value to the school he
is teaching The time has passed when
slip-shod aimless teaching is to be toll
Grated in our common schools. There is
now no question among the most compe-
tent teachers that the highest value of
teaching cannot be attained without an
exact plan or course of study, and that
this plan exists somewhere and must be
used whether it has been formulated into
a manual or not
That the introduction of this course
implies a formal examination followed
by an arbitrary classification is mistake
which too often prevents the young
teacher from making any attempt to in
troduce it, knowing that such a procedure
would meet with disfavor among the
pupils and patrons. Many of the other
obstacles are purely imaginary. The only
real obstacle is, perhaps, irregular attend
ance, and yet the proper introduction of
the course of study will in great meas
ure eradicate that.
The following three steps, if intelli-
gently taken, will successfully introduce
the course into almost any school in
Pierce county.
| First step.-Through either the State or
County Superintendent procure Manual
of the Course of Study. Make thorough
study of it, until you fully understand and
appreciate its real character, scope and
object. A hasty perusal will not do. You
must become familiar with it. To be-
come familiar with it is to become an en-
thusiastic supporter of it. Discuss it
with other teachers and don't ignore it in
the associations.
Second step.-Talk to your pupils about
it and show them the real advantage of
| it. In the daily routine of school work
do not lose any opportunity in connection
with the program, daily recitation, or
| discipline of the school to call attention
to defects that the course would correct
Strive to make the idea popular thing
in your school Discuss the matter with
your board Give them your views and
| listen to theirs. Uproot any false con-
clus;ons which they may have. Explain
every difficulty and ask them to give
! their legal sanction to the introduction of
| the course Call attention TO their legal
| power in this matter. Interchange views
with the most intelligent of your patrons
when they inquire after your success. In
fact do all in your power to educate the
school, the board, and the community in
the right appreciation of the advantages
of this course in active operation in leir
school.
Third aep.-About two weeks after
school has opened-sooner if previous
acquaintance has been had-plsce the
name of each pupil ON a separate page of
a blank book Then from your own OBJ
servation of each pupils work, also from
incidental examination and frequent tests
determine what portion of the work out
lined by the manual, each pupil has not
accomplished. Enter this on the page
with the pupils name. After you have
completed this read it to the school as
report of your inspection of the school
and if necessary file copy with the
board. Each pupil viii belong to the
lowest form in which he has unfinished
work. This is important-never deviate
from it in assigning pupils to their
respective forms. You viii have no such
thing as a mixed form Pupils should
now be encouraged to make up the I'M
finished work in those forms belOl0 their
average and as fast as the work is prop
| erly completed, the memorandum should
be crossed off the book containing the
pupils unfinished work.
This book should be kept within easy
reach of pupils, teacher and visitors, for
constant reference. All visible evidences
of the working course such as daily pro-
gram, chart of the names with their
respective forms, synopsis of the course
and list of promotions should be utilized
by the teacher. These can be placed
upon the wall for the inspection of visit
OTIS and pupils, also copies of them filed
with the board as permanent record of
the work.
Every effort made to 'level up" should
be encouraged andsas fast as pupils are
ready for promotion the. should be pro-
NOTED and certificates stating the same
should be issued by the board in con-
junction with the teacher. Printed forms
of these can be easily procured by the
board. In the event of passing the final
examination for graduation, questions for
which win be furnished by the County
Superintendent, each pupil will receive
diploma signed by the teacher, director
and superintendent,
Those teachers who have as yet failed
to introduce the course, try this plan and
wsite your superintendent Of its success.