River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-04-25
The Course of Study.

A course of study is an absolute neces-
sity. Good systematic work cannot be
done without one. We would urge upon
the teachers of Pierce county the need of
introducing and carefully following the
course of study outlined in the Manual
recently issued by the state superintend-
ent of public instruction. If you are
without a copy procure one from our
county superintendent, study its pages
carefully, and organize your separate
schools according to the provisions con-
tanned therein. In the perusal of the
copy which we have, we find the advant-
ages of course of study classified under
the following headings.
(A) For the individual pupils.
1. Progressive continuity of work under
successive teachers.
2. Dividing work into three Forms, to
measure and incite progress.
8. A full round of studies for mental
balance.
T. Recognizing mastery of Forms by
registry and testimonials after passing
tests
OBJ For the teachers.
l. Guidance to proper matter, methods
and management.
2. Expansion and direction of ideas,
relating to purposes and methods of
school work.
3. Mutual helpfulness through detailed
records, and proper methods.
4. A common basis for associated ex-
position.
(C) For the school.
1. Stability of effort and management
by successive teachers.
?. Economy, by promptly organizing
and classifying the school.
8. Comparison of pupils through regis
tering by Forms.
ID For the community.
1. Better returns for expenditure
through improved schools.
2. Better discipline by stimulating to a
completion of the course.
3. Increased interest of children
through definite ends as objects of effort,
and gain or loss of rank.
4. Removals from a given locality do
not affect pupils classification and pro-
gress.
The foregoing outline explains itself
| without any peroration from me. In or
der to grade the common schools, all
teachers must work with a will. We
quote from the Manual of 1887: NThat
teacher is not qualified to assume the
management of a common school who
does not understand the present need OF
furnishing better system for securing
continuous progress in the work If the
school; and that teacher is very unfaith-
| full to duty who does not cooperate with
the board in the establishment of this
course. Your careful consideration Of
the following queries is respectfully so
| licited: l. Can you teach school with
out a course of some kind? q Can you
frame better course than this? 3. Il
unity of purpose and action preferable Il
diversity? 4. Then what would you dc
about adopting this course"
Ponder over these questions and adop
the course of study without delay. 1t j.
true that we viii find obstacles in oul
way, but if we work patiently and per
sistently we cannot fail to overcome
them. We are informed through ouI
county superintendent, C. ]. Brewer
that the association work during th'
spring and summer viii bear directly OF
the course" throughout. Now, if teach
ems can make it point to be present a
eUery meeting in their oaCn district at least
we predict that they viii be greatly bene
fitted thereby.
In conclusion we repeat, study The Nan
ttal, also purchase copy IF Whites Ele
ments of Pedagogy as a help in you
school work and you win never regre
the outlay. 1t costs 800 and may be or
dered from our county superintendent.