The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-07-06

Papers Read at Teachers Institute.

not be over estimated. The teacher
who takes in hand a class of children
however bright they may be, and at
temps to develop good readers by con-
tining them to the use of the text
book alone knows how we'll nigh dis
couraging the task is.
The pupil usually makes a promis
ing beginning but long before the
completion of the one or two wears
allotted to the mastery of his book
his interest flags. He has studied
every picture until he knows every
feature of it just the position Of
every bush and tree, the location OF
every bids nest and the angle at
which the bird is poised above it, the
squirrel, with his tail still over his
back and eating the same nut that he
began on year ago. The language
of the lesson fails to yield any new
ideas, the leaves have become dogear-
ed, the book and its contents are
worn threadbare.
The task of learning to read should
be a delightful one with at least as
much of pleasure as of labor. The
labor itself should be a pleasure. Too
often we find it the reverse of this-a
slow, laborious process, productive of
fretting and worry on the part of the
teacher, of listlessness and apathy on
the part of the pupil.
How shall we correct this? First
let us inquire what is the aim of read
ing? 1t it to know words, phrases and
classes, or is it the ability to extract
the fine gold of thought from the
coarse earth of words in which it is
| encrusted, and the fostering of de-
sire to explore the realm of literature
for the gems that sparkle everywhere?
The power to recognize words is
merely the beginning of readings
means not an end. All our book
knowledge and by far the greater part
of our knowledge of current events
comes to us through our ability to
read. By this magic power the cur
tain which has fallen on the scenes of
the past is lifted, the great dramas of
the worlds history are re-enacted
before us, we hold communion with
the great minds of other ages, we
feel the throbbings of the great heart
of the intellectual world.
"But," inquire some of our younger
teachers, edo not our school readers
furnish an abundance of attractive
matter, sufficient to hold the atten-
ton and interest of the pupil and at
the same time give him the necessary
drill for advancement to the higher
grader" The answer must be in the
negative. Monotony of diet is pro-
ductive of safety of the mental as
we'll as the physical appetite.
Although our readers contain many
charming selections, and on the whole
are very good, yet the matter is not
sufficient, either in quantity or va
riety, to hold captive the eager, grasp
ing, questioning mind of childhood.
If we are to hire children along
"The path that leads to the happy
land of Books" the road must not be
too bare, too steep, too hard and
stony. There should be winding
paths, flowers blooming here and there
with the dew of living thought fresh
upon them, the occasional warble Of a
song bird from the hedge, and look
ing forward on the part of the pupils
to the something beautiful toward
which they are journeying.
How is this to be accomplished?
Largely by judicious selection OF
supplementary reading. Let the OBJ
servation or general information les
son be supplemented by an appropri-
ate reading lesson, one giving addl-
tional light on the subject in hand,
and no matter if it be so common
place subject as the housefiy, spi-
ders, or potatoes, degree CT interest
and enthusiasm will be awakened
which will be surprising to one who
never tried it. Better than this the
child will cultivate desire to read.
His curiosity will be reused and he
will often form habit of independent
investigation and research which Will
he of far more value than the lessons
themselves.
But the serious objection is urged
that it is difficult if not impossible to
secure the interest and cooperation OF
school boards and parents in the IN
troduction OF suitable books, papers
or leaflets. 1 know by experience
that this is a serious question-people
often wondering if you haven't en-
gagged in some money making ven
ture. taken a book agency or some.
thing of that sort-yet often by skill
full and diplomatic management II
can be brought about.
Should books be found too expen