The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-02-10
Is there Anything New Under tho Sun.

Some time ago, while visiting well known
training school for teachers, | was much
entertained by tbs lesson in Arithmetic for
the lowest grade in the Primary Department.
In the centre Of tho pleasant room stood
long bench-lke table on which were placed
in little groups Of five, great variety of
articles.
There were fve tiny dolls, five marbles,
five pencils, five peach stones, five pebbles,
FIVE grains of corn. five shoc-pegs, five little
cups, five little thimbles, and some other
fives that have forgotten.
Lright-faccd teacher 81, before the
table and about it clustered dozen little
men AMI women.
Now children" said the teacher, "who o
can count the thmbles?" Instantly a
SSAf wis given EN-, to iimidlookiug girl Then
little boy counted the marbles, and a tiny
girl. whose itching fingers clung TO the edge
OF the table near the dollies, counted them,
and so ii went on until each little one had
counted FIVE, when the thmble counter
wrote the result upon the board thus
l111l-5.
"Now, said the teacher, "AIamie has
little sister Mt home; how many dollies will
she give to her?''
Very slowly the chubby hand pushed out
one baby from the group she was guarding
with jealous eye, then another, and paused.
"eh, said the teacher, "you caunot
spare another? -
Mamie's prompt Nom" was followed ty
the question--"How many dollies does
Mamie give her sister?' and answered in
concert, 1.-Two"
Everybody give two away from their
fivesl' said the teacher
Epch little hand pushed off the twos, and
Jenhie announccd-"Three are left,' Then
Mat,ie wro'e on the board-5-2-3.
IN, thai plainly said. CHATS
a lotuhe incest"
What delightful way to tcacbr' ex-
ela,mea , my companion and after the whole
haii hour had been consumed in breaking IN
anu puthhg together that little number five.
she stopped the teacher to ask,
what number do you begin with ?"
me smallest number that is unknown 10
any Of the class the teacher answered
And how long do you remain upon one
was the next question.
until oil know it thoroughly" came
blck through the open door, as the teacher
hurried on to overtake her class.
On Inc way home my companion had
much to say about the new method of
teaching Arithmetic, but was busily "look.
ing backward and remarked dreamily.
1T reminds me of something that han.
pened long time ago. Let me sect was |
n 1867. saw a little toddler seated on
he counter in village store, peck meas
ire nlled with corn stood near him, and his |
hubby hands were busy making little piles
If the grains. At tho question, What are
'ou doing l:ttle man?' he paused long
enough to answer, Putting together and
aking from things"
While waiting for my bundles hearl him
an out, DRAMA, Dranpa, free f,cs are
fteen Amt that funny!
watched him form those three fves into
solid phalanx, deplay one five for skirmish-
RS, bring them all out in single file, and as
left the store he cried
"Ihey have to march free together,
'ranpa: They won't 60 in twos."
80 this may be "new method" of teach
lg, but am very sure it is quite an o'd
ay OF learning. However, you need feel
hesitation about adopting It, my dear.
on VIII be perfectly safe in doing so''