The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-03-05
RECREATION FOR TEACHERS.

an WIN anu ho pidy has abOut
the same dulling effect npon the aver
age pedagogue as upon the typical
Jack.
The pressure for work, steady and
constant, seems great-but hotld not
be ailo'osd to crowd out the other great
and equally imperative necessity
that f r recreation.
Why, think for moment of Just
what you, us teachers must meet and
face five or six hours daily-from
thirty to fifty children who vary in age
size, hereditary, home influence, pro-
gress, ability, character. These con-
trary elements you are to harmonic
and round out into beautiful whole,
as to lessons, behaviour, character.
You are t. bury "self" while in
school, not showing anger, pain,
(teachers must he physical phenom-
ena) weakness of body, mind or NOR
ais, Partially toward TIE attractive
nor repulsiun toward those who can
elicit nothing else from your heart of
hearts, but preserving your "self cen
ter" in emergencies of all kinds-and
they never come twice alike! to
the last moment of the day giving off
vitality, enthusiasm, life itself
nnn't ,h;,,I,
"When the lessons ind tasks are ended
And school for the day lis dismissed
And the little ones gather around YOU
To bid yon good night and be kissed
That even then your days work is
done, until you have glanced ut desks
and floor that neither are lett in Il
careless or untidy condition, look ed
over your equipment for Tomorrow
battle with books and with life, put
yourself into receptive condition for
the coming lessons, and so far us pos
si5le made Smooth sailing" CThat
metaphor is defectIve-but the idea
is correct.)
Now YOU are certainly not fit for
an abstruce chapter of psychology.
nor scholarl y dissertation on reda-
gogy, however diverting GU it may
be for sort Of general enjoyment.
You need recreation, an entire
making over. Thought should h5w
i'll new channels, new muscles of body
should be used, new sights and sounds
to eye and ear sought. All these can
be gotten out of doors almost without
effort. They may be obtained from
within doors, bnt the conditions are
not 30 favorable.
You are not afraid of the weather
You know the atmospheric tonic that
can"ot find entrence through brick
walls nor key holes? You are exhil.
arated by struggle against the wind
by "bite" from the cold or n plash
of rain? Good! You will last.
Don't be afraid of substantial
meal for the last one of each day.
Let it be ever so plain, if you are
delicate. but generous in quantity
and of good quality. Many teachers
are afraid to eat what nature really
needs tor building purposes. Some
one has warned them against Late
suppers" or against over-eating at any
time, and bless you he forgets that
you have three fold strain upon
you, and that you require more food
of the right kind and at the right
time-thHn ifin the performance OF
almost any other work.
Why, the hunger of school children
and of students IS proverbial. Why
not give teachers enough for re-crea
tive purposes
"The right timer Mainly morn
ing! Now shall hear But I've no
appetite N the morning." All, but
you should have, and don't / know
that you can have? Didn't l for
years live in the blissfully CD igno.
rant condition. of surprising that
breakfast means cup of coffee
with a cracker or n bit Of toast, aud
didn't | find myself cross because
was hungry long before noon?
have learnel--as you may-to
eat my dinner at breakfast, a bite"
very sparing lunch ut noon, with
good meal at night-but absolutely
nothing between meals. That last
means great dcal-but / mean it
all; fruits, candies, water even, are
all tahoocd. Theu mealtime means
appetite, and very plain food will sat
isfy.
One other thing; don't "taIk shop"
all the time. OF course, as a teach.
or, you must discuss some things or
explore with your enthusiasm 50 pent
un-but ,vbon ,,,,-.;I,l, ,,Il. l....