Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-05
AMONG THE SCHOOLS.

A teacher, whose class in history SEEM
ed particularly interested in their work,
being asked recently to explain her secret
in thus keeping up the general interest,
seemed surprised that anything beyond
the ordinary should have been found in
the rotations and replied that while she
had no secret to ffnpart, If desired she
would willingly give her visitor, as well
as she might, in words, an outline of her
method and this is what she said
IN the first place, / am deeply interest
ed in my work myself. and that you know
IS one-half the battle, for unless we feel
enthusiasm, we cannot hope to inspire it.
.In studying an epoch, we try to MAIN
tain the purity of idea running through
1t, that is one days lesson is not allow
ed to appear as an isolated number of
facts, but only as a part Of the general
whole and to maintain this idea we have
frequent brief oral reviews preface the
days lesson.
1--WE make our recitation as informal as
possible, each salient point being brought
out and elaborated by questions as to its
bearing upon or relation to other events.
and its possible effect all of which, Of
course, is calculated to make the pupils
lHlnk, which III my estimation Is one OIL
the great needs Of the school room.
I'VE study the biographical sketches
carefully extra information which any
may possess bearing upon the subject be-
ing gladly received Then the valuable
lessons not down in the text which can be
adduced from these lives Of our great
men, the children are asked to draw for
themselves, and / really am sometimes
surprised at the excellent answers re-
ceiVed.
They are encouraged to form their
own individual opinions of certain men
and measures, and these they seem de-
lighted to give expression to, many of
which. of course, are found to be faulty,
but which we endeavor TO correct"
This, of course, was but the skeleton
outlines of a method, which was given
life and force and worth as it was put in
practice, for back of all teaching lies the
spirit of the teacher.
A New York paper has been giving sta
tistics in regard to the number of hours
children can safely spend in mental eXer-
cises, and gives the following plea for
proper exercise:
eff proper pauses for rest are arranged.
and if these pauses are spent in the open
air. while the schoolrooms are thorough
ly aired by opening the windows and if
gymnastics and games are provided for,
] really do not know what more could
be offered to the growing generation both
in regard to physical and mental develop
ment Fatigue taking place after pro-
tracted tension can be removed by the
two chief remedies which are found in
change of occupation and complete recre-
alton Tins balance would be much more
effective if school had only to deal with
healthy children but we must consider
the many weak children who suffer from
poverty of the blood and who do not dur
ing their school years receive proper nour-
ishmcnt. nor get sufficient sleep, nor
enough Of other important agencies for
hygienic development Il cannot be doubt
ca that the school in many cases remedies
the errors at home. The healthful discip-
line which accustoms the children to reg
ular mental activity. the proper change
between work ana recreation, the habita-
ton in well lighted and aired rooms,
bodily exercise and the movement by
means Of gymnastics and play, as we'll as
school excursions The habits Of obedience,
order, punctuaHty and cleanliness. are
for many children d deiverance from d.
struction ana ruin