The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-09-22
Division Of the school into Forms.

The great reason for the existence of
the manual is that the teacher is there
by helped to grade the work of each
pupil to a proportionate advance in
each of the studies composing form.
For meaning of form see Manual, para
graph 9. This tells you how much
arithmetic, language, geography, etc,
Willie Jones should know at the time
he is reading in the Fourth Reader.
Willie thus secures something like a
symmetrical education. 1t is not all
top and no ballast. His mental growth
is not all one sided. Now every coun-
try school can and must be graded
into three forms as a rule. What are
the advantages? will tell you.
L. If properly carried out, such
grading secures an equal advance in
each of the branches making up a
form.
2. The number of daily exercises
can be lessened. Exercises in drawing,
music, language and writing can be
given in the same recitation period.
3. There is needed freedom of clas-
sifcation and instruction.
4. The advancement of pupils from
one form to another affords whole
some incentive throughout the course.
5. Regularity and system are prac-
ticed; thus giving both teacher and
pupils one of life's most valuable les
sons.
6. A program which regulates class
exercises and work. No teacher who
has used a form program will ever go
back to class program.
7. Such grading carries out the
principle of the division of labor.
But how shall go at the work of
classifying my pupils under the course
of study? Well, here is Mary Smith;
she reads in the Third Reader. BY.
referring to page Is of the Manual we
find that Mary belongs to the Middle
form. Now look on page "a and see
what Mary ought to know about Ian
guage. See next in paragraph 1O6
what work in arithmetic is associated
with the other Middle Form studies.
In some such way each pupil is as
signed to his proper form.
Beginning on page lob of the Man
ual is a topic which [ earnestly entreat
every teacher to thoughtfully read
again and again. Its suggestions are
full of help and common sense. Indeed,
in order to make sure that my advice is
followed, l will arrange a series of
questions relating TO this part of the
Manual. These questions | will mail
to each teacher and require answers
returned within certain time. | will
adopt the same plan with other pOr-
tions of the Manual. / wish this in
valuable book to mean something more
than a desk ornament with leaves of
spOtless white owing to it's utter disuse
by the teacher. This document was
framed by some of the wisest and most
experienced instructors in our great
State. To the best of my power will [
aid the the teachers of Kenosha county
in getting all possible out of this re-
markable work of educational litera-
TURF. L Ie6I SURF UHdU InUot, aud iIvPo
all, will cooperate in the good work
OF course you will meet difficulties in
the way of dividing your school into
forms. But was anything ever done
without meeting difficulties? Did
navigator ever become great seaman
by sailing on a calm ocean? B Y tact
and patience most of the opposition to
your good work will be made to dis
appear.
By hard work and mutual assistance
the school can be made to yield rich
returns. Let us keep them equal to
the best. Respectfully,
WILLIAM GRIFFITH,
County Supt.