Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-04-01
One Of MANY More.

EDITOR CITIzBS:-We have been much
pleased with the discussions through youl
columns on Literary and School work.
Subjects of this character are. wethink, not
given enough attention in our local pa
pers.
True, there are many periodicals that
give entire attention to such topics; but
the contributors of these are usually per
SONS of little or no experience in teaching
ungraded, country schools.
Also great number of our teachers do
not avail them selves of this opportunity.
| But the greatest reason, we think, that
our local papers should discuss these sub
| jects, is not for the teachers benefit alone
but Tor the benefit of directors and patrons
of our schools. Directors and patrons sell
dom If ever see an educational journal and
make no pretense of visiting the schools.
The question then arises, how are we
methods of the modern teacherf In this
respect the town and city schools have ad
vaatages over the country schools. 1t is
not, however, in any peculiar characters
tic festur of the atmosphere" nor is it
from any weakness on the part of the men
tailor digestive apparatus;but largely on ac-
count of the interference of directors and
patrons, that the progress of our country
schools is retarded.
If the teacher makes study of his pro-
iession, as every energetic teacher will do.
aud attempts to put into practice the re-
suit of that study and experience, he is
sure to be interiered with by directors VINO
do not know tha: there has been any ad
vaucement made in the art of teaching
aud thiek the schools should be taught
the same TO day that they were forty years
ago.
Eradicate this interference and our
country schools will soon walk in advance
of the town schools.
1t has been said that "The studies now
taught IN our common schools are enough
aud more than enough for the average
student To comprehend" This is true If
you intend To cram them all in his mind
i'll one term. This is where the great mis-.
take is made, but il is not always Lue to
lack of knowledge on the part of the teach
eF but 10 his environment.
Five studies are as much as any pupil
should be permitted To pursue at any one
time.
But instead of this number every pupil |
in the country school ab0Ye the third read |
or grade must pursue the usual eight stu
dies. The result of this is mental depres- |
sion, lack OF interest, the term passes and |
finds him little ia advance of where he |
Grade your pupils to what they |
are able to comprehend, including literary |
work, and you need have no fears OF any |
thing outside of their text books, of a NOR |
al character, retarding heir progress.
Students ia our academies and colleges |
are usually graded TO four studies. Are
not tie studies in our public schools |
as hard tor its pupils as those, Then why |
this examining and half done work in our |
country schoolsf Why I'LL our pupils with
facts and veil their imagina-
lion lnstead of permitting them the hber-
Jy Of exercising these faculsi lies by reading
and composition and also public perior
OF what benefit is book learning
10 man that cannot think or express him
sell intelligcntlyl
IL has been said "Let us do the best we
;an in the country" That is what we
y sould like to do and if the average teacher
vas permitted to follow out the dictates OF
lis own conscience in this matter the 'best
nc can" could be done
Moss BACK