The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-03-08
of school.houses the Anderson County

of school.houses the Anderson County
people have?" "Yes sir; I am ashamed
to acknowledge it, but this house is used
as school house," We replied. He
laughed, and We grinned and bit our
finger nails, and struck the horse with
the whip. When we recovered from the
embarrassment, we assured him that
though that place was used as school
house, it was not fair specimen of the
achool.houses in the county; that it was
far below the average. And it is. Lest
the patrons of that school conclude that
we press this matter unduly, or that we
go beyond the bounds of our Jurisdiction;
we publish the following extract from
our school law: "He (the School Com
missioner) shall note the character and
condition of the school-houses, the
suficiency or insuficiency of the furni.
ture, and shall make such suggestions to
the several District Boards as in his
opinion shall seem conducive to the com.
fort and progress Of the several schools"
If the patrons of that school don't build
q house, We shall advise the Board of
Trustees to build one. If that is done,
of course, the children will be deprived
of Just as much tuition as is put in the
erection Of the house. The people can
build good house there-we know they
can and they know it. There are bright
children in that school. They deserve to
be treated better.
Mr.. EDITOR: In reply to questions in
Teachers Column, I send you a few
remarks.
i. Ascertainif the pupils idea, concern.
ing his ability in the branch, is correct.
Pupils may make mistate, though
honest in their opinion. This may be
difficult to determine, yet by close obser-
vation and thorough study of the case,
the wide awake, energetic teacher can
arrive at definite conclusion. Pupils
should be educated to truthfulness and
honesty. Teachers should respect their
opinions and statements and deal wisely
with them. Let a; teacher demonstrate
;thefact that he has no confidence in q
pupil, at that very moment his influence
over that pupil will be very much
weakened. That pupil will become
troublesome: When you have learned
the facts, act accordingly. If you find
that the pupil is really deficient; that
talent is wanting, require less work or let
him quit that branch. The branch in
question may be of so much importance
that you cannot afford to let him drop it.
If such be the case, combine all your
talents, and exert yourself to make the
study of that branch more interesting,
and the difficulty may be overcome.
Teachers are often responsible for this
complaint. The:pupil thinks. that he is
deficient in talent. The fact is that the
teacher does not teach intelligently. He
fails to interest his school. A teacher
that fails to interest his pupils cannot, or
should not, expect success.
2. This is a question that every teacher
must study. The fault is often with the
parents, and they must co operate with
teachers in correcting the same. The
child must be rightly tutored at. home
otherwise hewill not be what he should
be at school. If all parents would do
their duty in this respect, I know there
would be great improvement in our
schools. There are boys and girls in
every school, who WELD agreat influence
over their playmates. Talk to them
ask them to help you along
this line. By SO doing, you will make
better boys and girls of those you select
as leaders, they will feel that they are
honored, that the teacher has confidence
in them, that there is a responsibility
resting on them, hence favorable results
are sure to follow. The teacher must be
watchful, and make the necessary correc-
tion in polite and efectionate manner.
8. a teacher should respect the opin-
ions of patrons, to certain extent, and
solicit their co operation. All must ad-
init that teacher should employ such
methods as are best suited to the improve.
ment of the pupil, and the general in
terest of the school. The teacher is the
one to decide what methods should be
employed. You should aim at the i'm.
proyement of your pupils. If you are
successfall, your patrons will be pleased,
though they may not agree with you at
6rst. Nothing pleases parents so much
as the advancement of their children. If
you be controlled by every parent or try
to please every one, the result is inevita.
BILE. You will have an undisciplined
school, disorder and inattentiou will
prevail. Failure will be your reward.
The teacher must study plans, aim at
results and employ such methods as will
secure success. Hope some one of more
experience, and greater ability, will re-
spond to these questions.
S. II. JOHNSON.
Made Crazy by Terror.
CINCINNATI, Feb. N.-Blanchester,