The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1897-03-11
Observation-Disclosures
NOTES ABOUT SCHOOLS AND
THEIR MANAGEMENT.
Much Depends on the Arrangement
of the Routine Work of the School
room-Singing in Primary Classes
How to Read for Profit.
Hints on School Discipline.

should be so arranged as TO prevent
friction and disorder, thus avoiding
the necessity Of reprOOf or punishment,
n leaving the time free for study, in.
structiOn and recitation. Lessons
should be given in the first days OF the
term TO teach the pupils how to move
together, to come and go to and from
the recitation. to stand and to work at
the board, to go out and in 4; recess.
This prearranged order of movement
will prevent collision and disturbance.
In he first exercises, when the pupils
are practicing the movements, The di-
rections should be definitely AMI quiet
ly given. After the children have be-
come accustomed to the order OF move
ment, a signal may be substituted for
the complete direction. This should be
slight and quiet. Noisekloes not COM
mand attention. Let the voice be low,
clear and decisive, impelling quiet,
thoughtful attention to the exercise.
All directions, whether by word or sig
nal, should be followed by every pupil.
The school should move as a unit. Re-
iteration Of commands makes them
meaningless.
Many occasions of disorder in the
schoolroom would be prevented by a
right apportionment of lessons, adapt
ed to the capacity of the children, and
varied from day to day so as to secure
Interest. The mischief found ''for idle
hands to do can be banished by work
alone. Careful preparation of the
days lessons beforehand makes the
teacher ready with task, material and
directions. Each pupil knows just what
to do. when to do it, and how. The
need of questions and comment is obvi-
ated by the concise directions. Pupils
can be trained to distribute pens, pen
ellis, papers, ETC., quietly and eXpedi-
tiOuSly, in some definite order, thus re-
lieving the teacher for more important
work, and creating in them the spirit
of h%elpfulness.
The teachers preparation for the
teaching exercise or recitation enables
her to present her subject in a manner
interesting to the pupils, to illustrate
wildly, and to be free from all need of
reference to the book. Thus she can
hold the attention of the pupils.
Beyond the careful preparation for
herleSsonsan and the details of the school
room work, the teacher needs sympa-
thy with child life, and power to put
herself into the child's place. Many an
OffenSe against the rules of the school
is committed thoughtlessly, yet is treat
ed by the teacher as if 1t were an act
deliberately intended. Such an assumD-
ton Oh the part of the teacher leads to
wilful disobedience later, for it stirs a
sense of injustice, which rankles in the
childS heart long after the teacher has
forgotten the offense. She should learn
to judge from the child's standpoint. in
order to see both sides, and to deal Just |
ly. The wise teacher often shuts her |
eyes to miSdemeanOrS which would be
emphasized by open reproof. The at
tention Of the school is attracted by the
reprilnand to faults which otherwise !
would never be seen. A quiet word to
the offender, d look or sign. a conversa-
ton after school. when nobody else
knows, are better han the open coIrec-
ton. The teachers manner in neces-
sary direction. should assume the in
tention to obey. not ~antagonize. Her
attitude toward the child does much to
determine his.
Rules of actiOnshould be decreed only
when occasion demands them. The
reason for them will her be apparent.
and they will not seem to the pupils
arbitrary exercise of authority. Once
made they should be carefully follow
ed. Penalties should be in line with the
otfense when possible. The child who
cannot play with his mates must take
his recess alone. The abuse of a priyil-
eye should be followed by it's with
drawal. Punishments may and should
be slight but certain. The teachers
ever and steady persistence in the
course she considers right counts for
more than undue acknowledgements
for Teachers.
Singing.
Among the tried recipes for happi-
,,o,, - ,I ~.ol ,,o,l- -, -