Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-13
Educational
Column.
GUY STANTON FORD, Editor.

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Actions, with the best of motives, i
ill-timed and lll-judged may do as mucf
| harm as actions proceeding from un
worthy motives. Good hearted. over
indulgent, self-sacrifcing fathers and
mothers may and do, by their constant
giving of themselves to save children
create in the children a selfish, lazy
and wilful spirit Nothing is saddel
than the sight of parent with an ex.
cuse for every untoward action of their
children, who submit to every little
rebellious act without reproof Such
parents are sowing the wind and the
harvest is sure.
| *x*
| 1t is a mistake to have children in the
first four years of school work do home
studying. If the child is at all nervous
or unwell the result is dangerous. Par.
ents and teachers should not try to
force developments at that stage. If a
little child from five to nine or ten can
not do his school work without study
ing at home, it would seem far better
to find out the reason by talking with
ing them at home.
-
Speaking of school work done at
| home, parents and older brothers and
sisters need to be reminded that they
are hindering not helping the pupil
when they work examples that the
child should be led to solve for them
selves. Teachers in the Grand Rapids
schools to guard against this so-called
home help often do not give out arith-
metic lessons for the succeeding day,
knowing that the examples will be car
ried home for some other. member of
the family to solve. If help is asked
see to it that you never take the pencil
and tablet out of the child's hands, that
you never tell what you can lead them
to see by skillful questions, that if you
must tell or do work yourself let it be
not on the example in hand but on a
simple one involving the same principle
or presenting the same difficulty, then
lead the pupil to apply what you have
taught to the example he cannot get
Telling is not teaching.
*x*
At the general teachers meeting
Saturday the discussion was on the use
of the dictionary. A united effort is
being made to get good academic die
tionary in the hands of each pupil
above the third grade This has been
very successful in the departments un-
der Mr.. Brazeau and Mr.. Green. To
get a good academic dictionary for a
dollar and quarter is a chance no par
ent should let pass.
~
The Forum literary society will hold
its first program next Friday. The fol-
lowing numbers will be presented:
MUSIC CLUB
T. Hambrecht
Debate-Should the University of Wisconsin
be maintained by the state?
Affirmative. Negative.
Archie Bulls, Rich Wipperman,
Henry Demitz, Burton Mclaughlin,
Recitation. Matilda Bunge
Essay. Mamie Molloy
Glee Club
Visitors are welcome. The program
begins promptly at 7:30.
*x*
An interesting experiment is being
tried in our city schools during the
short winter days. All departments
dismiss by 3:45 p. m., those above the
fourth grade having only five minute
intermission. The failing light in the
afternoon made some change necessary
and the present arrangement was the
best possible.
Last week was visitors week. The
| schools were inspected by the Univer-
| sity students IN town and by teachers
and pupils from Marshfield and Cen
tralia.
*
| The American history class has begun
work. At present they are using Hart's
Foundation of the Union" and later
will take up Wilson's division and Re-
Union"