Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-03-14
NickersOn's School Charts.

Two years ago Mr.. Joshua Nickerson
introduced his school charts into Rock
bridge, Augusta, and other sections of
Virginia. The observation and ex-
perience of school superintendent are
highly favorable in all cases where the
teachers have informed themselves,
and diligently pursued the methods of
instruction as laid down in the charts.
The classification commences with in
struction for the little pupil who fol-
the alphabet. Thus in progressive
methods the pupil is taken through all
the branches to arrive at the mastery
of English education. The charts IL
lustrate the leading points in the text
books, the alphabet and all the courses
including arithmetic, grammar, geog-
raphy, and history. The maps, as are
all the illustrations, are excellent
They contain full instruction in
phonetics, physiology, hygiene, &C.,
in addition to the departments named
above.
After two sessions of experience in
the use of these charts, the teachers,
who have studied them and have
taught their pupils, find largely in
creased progress in the expansion of
mind by the pupil as we'll as increased
desire to obtain knowledge and be-
come proficient in their studies.
Mr.. Nickerson is advanced in years
beyond the meridian of life. He COM
menced teaching when he was sixteen
years of age, and has given all this
long time to the work of education and
to simplifying and making easy the
methods of instruction, thus enabling
the pupils to accomplish more in less
time.
He again visits the counties where he
established the use of his charts, and,
in company with the County School
superintendent, is examining the
progress made, and delivers interesting
and instructive lessons imparting much
practical information in the use of the
charts. Thus he passed over the entire
territory of Augusta county in com
pany with Prof. E. O. Peel, the County
Superintendent of Schools. The teach
ers, the pupils, the school boards, and
the citizens generally, have attended
the lectures with the highest degree Of
satisfaction. The result has been, thai
whereas the charts were partially in
troduced two years ago, they are now
furnished to every school in the
county. The advantages have beer
carefully tested, and heartily ap
proved.
After finishing his tour of inspection
and lecturing to the Augusta schools
Mr.. Nickerson visited Rockbridge
where occurrences of the same charac
ter took place as in this county. HI
was accompanied through that county
by Mr.. J. S. Saville, the Superintendent
of Schools. A representative of the
SPECTATOR was at the meeting at Fair
field, the headquarters of the Soutl
River:district of Rockbridge on the 6tl
instant, and heard Mr.. Nickerson'
lecture, and gave careful attention tt
all his instruction, which, of course, il
particularly addressed to teachers
Mr.. Saville highly commended hi
methods, and the teachers, by 1
unanimous rising vote, testified to thu
value of the aid the lecturer was t.
them. The board of this district
which did not procure charts TIVE
years ago for all the schools unde
their care, will now do so-and thu
same will also be done by other dis
tricts in that county.