Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-06-21
GOOD MANhERS-C COURTESY.
GARFIELD BOWDEN JUNIOR CLASS
platteville Normal school

I
0plaueyille Normal school
The "little red school house 4" is
the only institution in the land that
gathers under its roof the witty Irish
boy, the stolid German youth, the in
ventiye Yankee lad, and many other
natiOnalties, bringing with them va
rious peculiaritjes of home and street.
and sends them forth from its humble
but common halls trained American
citizens, standing on the same level
and protecting the same flag.
Since we have noticed the aim and
purpose of the school, we readily see
that it must be a great social feature
IN which courtesy among its members
must be prominent feature. The
characteristics of true politeness are
embodied in the golden rule OF the
Saviour" Whatsoever We would that
men should do to you, do We even so
TO them.
The law Of politeness is the duty of
being kind ard agreeable to others.
1 BY means of this test, pupils may be
made to discriminate between rude
ness and true politcness, and SO form
an ideal of conduct.
The young should be shown the
commercial value of good manners,
and taught that nothing pays better
/ in the conduct of business than uni
/ form courtesy to all with whom we
/ have dealings.
! The manners of the pupils are too
much neglected in many of our
/ schools, The youth are growing up
I with all the cXuberance OF young re-
( publicans and in their pride of free
7 dom from governmental restraint they
some times show il want of respect for
their seniors, which is humiliating TO
I all lovers of propriety. Hence we
I see that is the teachers duty to in
struct the pupils along this line and
/ order that he may do it we'll, he
should have the virtue of true courte-
sy both in theory and practice, The
/ teacher should have animation him
/ self. for children are initiative beings;
and it Is astonishing to observe how
7 very soon they catch the manner OF
the teacher. If he is heavy and plod-
i ding in his movements, they will be
very dull and drowsy in theirs; then
again If he speaks in clear and pleas
ant tones and moves about with an
elastic step, they soon follow his eX-
ample. When the teacher moves
about the room, it should be done
gracefully and with constant regard
/ for the fact that every look and every
movement teaches.
The best rule for the teacher is to
act naturally. The teacher having
/ gained self command, and having in
/ him the spirit of kindness and de-
I sire to Toe useful, should assume moth
/ ing unnatural for effect. His manner
/ should be truly diguilied, but court
eous. 1t is the habit of some teachers
to speak slightiugly in regard to the
rules of etiquette: but they are teachers
who know very little of these rules,
/ More intimate knowledge would con
vince them that these rules are found
/ ed on common sense and pure beney-
i oleuce and that they are the best that
4 can be devised to secure the highest
degree OF ease, comfort and refined
pleasure In the social intercourse OF
his school and its community.
Since children learn to love and
practice kindness, ucatnessi truthful
ness and politeness 10y observing
those around them, it is therefore eX-
ceediugly important that the teacher
present living illustrations of these
qualities in his own conduct,