Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1892-01-27

Prof. Chas. M. Light, supt. of the
Pittsburgh, Kansas schools, in his
work on mental training, says: Every
professional teacher should at some
time carefully read and digest the liter
airy works Of Baldwin. Porter, White.
Brooks, Hewitt and others on the sub
ject of mind. There are three phases
In the experience of every teacher. The
phases in which he becomes a student
OF devices, of methods and of educa-
tlonal principles. In his early expert
ence the device is the most important
to him and claims the most of his at
tention and ingenuity. He schemes to
hold the attention and maintain inter-
est. He studies different ways of do
ing the same thing. He next becomes
interested In methods of instruction.
He teaches systematically with definite
ends in view. His rich store of devices
now become important factors IN sue
cessfully carrying out the best methods
OF instruction. Finally he begins to
see the Importance of the study of the
nature of mind and of that which at
fects 1t. He becomes a student OF
children and from facts observed he ar
rives at truths called educational princi-
pies. These formulated truths are the
basis OF all instruction. They are un-
.changeable and all methods and devices
based upon them are Interchangeable
also. They are fundamental and unal-
terable, and underlie and condition all
instruction. Methods and devices are
tested by them and if found in har-
mony with them, they are declared to
be valuable aids to proper instruction.
The best teaching, therefore, is not
reached through any particular device
or method, but by the study of mind
and the correct application of educa-
tional principles. The following are a
few of these principles gathered from
various sources:
l. The growth of the faculties of the
mind depends upon activity.
2. The fullest activity of the mind
requires healthy body.
3. Instruction should be adapted to
the order of the development OF the
faculties.
4. Instruction should aim at the
harmonious mot equal) development OF
all the faculties.
5. The ultimate end of education and
culture should be knowledge to do,
power and tendency to do, and skill in
doing.
6. The teachers Office is to present
objects of thought in such manner az
to occasion the pupils activity.
z. The subject and manner of pre-.
senting it should be adapted to the
child's age and capabilities.
8. First impressions and early hab.
its are most important, since they are
most enduring. Never teach a child a
thing it will be compelled to unlearn at
some future time. Make prominent
the right and let the wrong strictly
alone.
9. Do not do thing for a pupil
which he can do for himself; lead him
to discover truth by his own mental ex.
ertiOn.
Section 1, Chap. 1877, Laws of 1891 ion
page S8, of School Laws, 1891, reads as
follows: THAT the school boards and
boards of education having supervision
over any school district in this state
shall provide and maintain suitable and
convenient water closets Tor privies) fol
each of the schools under their charge
or supervision. There shall be at least
two in number, which shall be entirely
separate from each other. It shall be
the duty of the officers aforesaid to see
that the same are kept in a neat and
wholesome condition; and failure to
comply with the provisions of this act
by the aforesaid officers, shall be
grounds for their removal from office. >
We publish this law for the purpose
OF calling the attention of school boards
to a matter which is often sadly neg.
lected. In our visits to school districts
we sometimes see that the out-houses
are allowed to get into shameful con
ditiOn. Boards get knocked off until
the privy affords little or no protection
for the pupils who must use them.
Sometimes the privy is found to be in a
condition far from meat and whole
some;" but we think where this latter
state exists, the teacher Is largely re-
spOnsible for the careless habits of the
pupils. We know of a number of dis
tricts in which the two privies and coal
house are under the same roof, the coal
house being in the middle. While this
does not fill the law as it now stands, II
might do fairly well If good tight parti-
tions were put in and extended clear up
to the roof. But too often the partition
extends only six or seven feet high, OIL
to the caves of the building, and this
surely is not sufficient.
To our mind it is a very reason
able as we'll as timely law, which re.
quires that at least two privies be pro-
vlded, which shall be separate and apart
from each other, even if it does require
little more lumber. We do not ad
wise the tearing down of these comb
nation buildings above described, if
the partitions ale made and kept good
but we hope no more double out-houses
will be built for the use of schools
School districts which fail to have these
necessary things properly provided
need not be surprised to find their
young people tainted with impurity and
vice,
hope that school officers who read
these few simple suggestions will con.
slider them In the same kind spirit in
which they are written, and, when nee
essary, act accordingly, as we do not
expect soon to mention this matter
again in these columns.