Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-04-13
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
NOTES ABOUT SCHOOLS AND
THEIR MANAGEMENT.
How to Keep the Children Probably
Emp1oyed-Va1ue of Written Exam
inations-Books that Are Popular
Device in School Government.
Work for Little Fingers.

Work for Little Fingers.
Oh, the busy, restless little fingers!
All teachers are confronted by the
problem of how to keep them profit
ably as well as pleasantly employed.
Especially does this question present
itself to the mind of the district school
teacher who must divide her time
among so many classes, and it is to
those that these few humble sugges-
tons are offered, with the sincere wish
that they may benefit some fellow
teacher just embarking on the storm
tossed sea of pedagogy.
We are familiar with the old adage,
Cali work and no play makes Jack a
dull boy" and it is especially true Of
school children. How many of US re-
member the long, dreary hours we first
passed in the school-roOm, possibly
with only a book-was it ''blue-back-
ed speller?-and slate to occupy our
time! No relaxation at all, nothing
but the same monotonouS sound every
day How we sighed for the slowly
creeping hour-hand to point to four
that we mIxat have a few hours re
spite frOn8 our tolls.
But now the New Education " is
pervading our country from North to
South and from East to West, and we
hope for better things in the future.
But 1 am DEPRESSING from my subject,
which was to tell you of some devices
used in my school-room to rest the
little pupils from study and yet keep
them busy. These are not entirely
original ideas with me, and many are
borrowed, or partly so, from other
teachers; but since 1 have derived so
much benefit thereby, perhaps they
may help others a little.
For 5 cents a large box of common
tooth-picks was procured, and with a
package of Easter dye | colored them
quite prettily and in a variety of col
ors The children use them for num-
ber work, and often for busy work.
Draw figures, such as squares, trl-
angles, stars, and numerous others
which will suggest themselves to the
teacher, and let the children make
them upon their states. Sometimes |
let them weave the picks together.
This playing with sticks" is a favor
tie amusement with the little ones and
they can be taught colors, too, with
them.
We have a lot of cards-pretty adj
vertising cards or anything else
which are cut up in various shapes,
and the children enjoy putting to-
gether so much.
Then out of heavy paper of differ
ent colors l cut numerous squares
about an inch in size and divided most
of them into halves and quarters.
Draw figures upon the board-any-
thing which can be made up of squares
and half squares. Or sometimes just
give them a handful Of the bits OF
paper and tell them to make anything
pretty that they can think of. Then
each one tries to make the prettiest
and some are often quite original.
Then we have quite a collection of
drawing cards and "cut up" stories,
and these help pass the time very
pleasantly, and with songs, few
calisthenics, memory gems, and other
busy work we manage to interest the
children and they delight in coming
to school.
Above all, let US not forget to be
kind and gentle with the immortal
souls entrusted for brief time to
our care.
Kindness will win the toughest boy
and make him firm ally. Perhaps
it may change the whole course of his
life. Who knows? - Normal In
StructOr.