Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-01-07

Winterpurt, Maine, pc' i'' 'o'o' """ P
q by rcquest'l
Y There is an old adage in the world to
4 the effect that the person who Is told III
scripture to keep in the background, VIII
find employment for hands that are not
4 otherwise occupied, and decidedly agree
NTH the author OF that bit of wisdom,
evolved no doubt, from experience in life
Idon't blame any healthy, active, wide
awake child (and that's the kind we all
4 like), when he has finished his lessons,
a for looking around to see what comes
n next, and II nothing is provided for his
occupation he'll provide entertainment
4 for himself and his neighbors. | don't
blame him; should, every time.
The brighter the child, the more dam
gerous to the peace OF the school his
diversion is apt to be. 1t is OF no use to
scoId, though there are spots along the
teachers path where good scolding will
paraIyze a school into good behavior
quicker than the effect OF moral suasion
will reach it; but we can't expect our
bright child to sit with folded hands,
waiting for the slower ones to get the
his eyes see so many opportunities for
immense fun. Therefore, let us take
warning thereby, and keep him busy.
NV plans of government are only ones
of my own mind, drawn from my own
experience, and though they work sue
cessfully for me, they may not be useful
to others.
l know that we all are good when we
are interested or busy. We sit qaietly to
listen To an interesting lecture, and we
fidget worse than the children If the
speaker is prosy. Remember that when
you ,l-al with the miniature men and
wome.
Gonu manners in the schoo-room are
as ell -ctive as in the parlor. Do you
think you really have the right to com
mand child to do anything? Why not
request him politely to comply with your
wishes ? He'll seldom refuse.
believe III the ranking system of gov
ernneut, especially i'll our migrated
scaools where there is as yet no promo
ton as an incentive to earnest work. |
have II paper on my desk, on one side Of
which is written list of marks signs
with their significance. Each mark
against cnild's name subtracts five from
his department rank OF 100 at the end of
the week. The other side is blank and
clean.
On the first Monday morning | explain
to the children what | would like them to
do and W hat not, and tell them about the
marks. But usually the first Friday night
finds good many marks, particularly II
the school has been lax in government
before. When [ distribute the rank
cards the next Monday, there is always a
rustic of dismay among the unfortunate
ones when they see the result of all those
tives taken from 100, and they generally
make vow to keep the new sheet clear
from their names. You they don't
always think the new teacher really means
what she says; they reason that perhaps
she won't be quite SO hard hearted, but
when the result appears in ink, they real
ize it.
The second week finds but few marks
and by the third week, the sheet il use
less, for everybody is busy and good, and
there's no furt her need of those cabalistic
characters.
i also have list for good MARKS, and
the last is more useful than the first for
in their zeal to gain good credit, they
have no time to think OF anything out
side, and word or look is sufficient to
call back Il torgettul one into the bounds
of school-room propriety. At the end of
the week | count the marks, and an
nounce the name OF the one who is ahead
on the number.
spoke when we met before of my box
for honorable mention" work. Those
who have worked up to that standard get
credit marks for each piece. mark is
given for every lesson in which rank of
100 has been held through the week,
another for perfect attendance, and
another for department.
have lists of extra work all the time
enough to keep the smartest one busy
every minute he spare from his
lesson. OF course, in this way, the smart
ones get the most marks of credit, but
that Is all right. The smart ones Will get
the most credit when they get out into
the world, and the dull ones may well
get used 10 the background while they
are young. Then l all wv my Flooding
ones to take some work home 50 that
they may not get too far in the rear.
good recitation on Friday afternoon
counts five. AS to the extra work, put on
the board perhaps list of ten noted per-
sons. One fact about each is worth
credit. Another day it may be list
OF noted books to tell the authors or rice
versa. | have list of miscellaneous
questions Oh all subjects to use the same
way Then l have five questions on cur
rent topics every day to encourage the
right sort OF newspaper reading.
VI course this method calls for a con-
tlnuous flow OF new ideas, that things