The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-05-26
A STATE BOARD OF SMART ALECKs.

The state board Of education is in a
fair way OF making itself board of
smart alecs. Doubtless the average
level-headed practical and successful
teacher considers that organization
bumptious. 1t is no measure of quail
flcation to be able to answer far
fetched questions or to anaylize I'M
dreamed of propositions This board
seems to aim at defeating practical
teachers with the necessary Gualifica-
tons or to otherwise lower their grades
by propounding peculiar and prepos-
ferrous puzzles. The superintendent of
the Harper city schools transmits us
the following letter with a series of
ten questions ON theory and practice
to be answered in writing in one hour
by the applicant for certificate. Read:
Harper, Kan, May p, 1895.
To the Editor of the Eagle.
Dear Sir:-Enclosed find the ist of
Theory and Practice given at last teach
ers' examination held in the different
counties OF this state The list was pre-
pared by Professor Klock Of Leavenworth
would be pleased to see your opinion Of
the list in the columns of Sundays Eagle
Sixty minutes to answer such a list looks
like physical impoSsibility. Yours truly
JONAS COOK.
J. What has the study of nature 10 do
with the understanding and appreciation
of literature and art?
>. What is the use OF an object in oh
servation? Name some precai1fiops that
should be observed in developing the per
ceptive faculties
): How long. approximately. can little
children sustain acts OF attention? " hat
should limit the demand for attention.
l. GIVE arguments for or agiust the in
PRODUCTION into the lower grade work Of
the elements of the following subjects.
Botany, zoology. chemistry physics logic
Greek. 1
5 What do You consider to be the essen
tlaI elements OF a recitation Illustrate
by giving an ideal lesson on the number
10. Index the points given in vour
lesson as the essential elements of a reci-
tation.
q. Prepare a course of study adaptad 70
your capability as a teacher for the first
two years of language work in an I'M
graded school.
:. Name three OF the strongest features
OF your course. Give reasons for Your
answer What rules must the teacher
Keep IN mind in selecting the subject
matter for course of study?
5 Compare and contrast language and
arithmetic with reference 70 the following
points: DNature Of subject-marter: %
method OF instruction; Cl culture afforded
by each: 90 practical utility to pupil
:. Distinguish between modes and
methods OF teaching What constitutes
q good question:
10 Named the different steps 20 be oh
served in every good lesson What in
education. is meant by economy OF time
and effort?
II Professor Klock before prenarinr
the foregoing list of questions had
asked himself what constitutes 4 good
question:" and had framed a first rate
answer 10 ii. very much that appears
in his list" would have been omitted
and the form Of most questions would
have been changed and simplified. \
question ought aways 10 be definite.
concise. unambiguouS and limited i'm its
scope 10 the subject az hand. Pro
lessor Rocks questions illustrate very
much that negatives what constitutes
a good question" For example. tile
hrst question is not applicable - the
subject. the fourth is ambiguous. in
definite and too long, and the sixth (.