The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-10-08

oio aI AOooC IL yOhAo VI o6O VI WV
have finished at least the seventh
grade in an eight year course. A
Summer school should be provided
with experienced primary and advanc-
ed teacher instructors, who have act
ually experienced the theories put
forth.
The Teachers Reading Circle. We
have had six years experience in the
Reading Circle. 1t has been very
helpful. 1t has given the teacher
some hints and helps along the line of
self improvement without which,
would have left her much weaker.
We have met monthly in sections with
an enrolment of 80 members. Some
have been earnest students and have
received much help. The simple act
of meeting face to face those who are
doing similar work and who can and
do speak an inspiring word to the
discouraged teacher is alone reason
enough for continuing the organiza-
ton.
Number of Months of School Voted.
The average for '94 and '95 was seven
months for each district. For '95 and
'96 it was Y months. For '96 and '97
it is just seven for each district, divid-
ed as follows: Twelve districts have
voted 9 months each, twenty are to
have 8 months each, twenty-nine are
to have 7 months each, nineteen are to
have 6 months each, eight are to have
5 months each. Five months are in
sufficient to do the necessary work.
The law should be amended to read,
that each school district should have
not less than six months of school,
taught by teacher holding not less
than second grade certificate. The
State could we'll afford to aid the dis
trict to the extent, say of $50, which
maintains IN ungraded school of high
character for 8 months during the
year taught bya teacher holding a
first grade certificate. Said school-to
possess a good reference library, pro-
vided with free text books, a good
globe, an unabridged dictionary, nee
essary wall maps and not less than 4
SO. ft. of good blackboard for each en-
rolled pupil in the school. There are
such schools in this county.
Teachers Wages and Certificates.
There has been but slight change in
the wage question. Where the teacher
has shown broad scholarship, a dispc-
sition to work, an interest in her work,
she has been retained at an increase of
salary. We paid last year $4,000 for
teachers wages or an average of $32
per month for males and $50 per
month for females. There were 147
candidates who applied for certificates
but only 80 secured necessary pass
marks. Two certificates have been
annulled for non compliance with
"The Temperance Hygiene Law"
The teaching force is gradually i'm
proving. We have more Normal
girls and boys" than two years ago.
There is, however, little encourage
ment for the rural school from the Nor
NAL schools. The cities and villages
offer too much inducement in the
form of better salaries and more
months of schools. The city high
school must do as it is now doing,
furnish the great army of rural school
teachers. There is growing in the
West determined trend toward a
practical education. We are begin
ming to feel it's pulse here.
Music as Voice Culture. We have
something like 40 schools supplied
with Congdon's "Ideal Music Chart"
Nearly all of our teachers are able to
teach the elements of vocal music.
Nothing so helps the voice to enunciate
clearly and distinctly as voice culture
through vocal music. Aside from the
help to read simple music, it is
great aid in discipline. Nearly all of
our teachers are ready to teach music,
if only chart be furnished. tits due
the teaching force of this county to
say, that much that has been accom-
plished has been done by the earnest
work of the teachers. The many little