The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-02-15

How to Inculcate Principles of.
Morality in our Schools.
A Paper Read by Prof. J. L. Latta at the
Teachers Meeting Held in this City
February 2 and 3. 1000.

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This question has presented itself (for,
solution) to the mind of every teacher
that is alive to the responsibility OF his
or her calling.
The teacher, who is able to show, by
practical demonstration, that he has
solved this all important question, oc-
cupies the highest plane i'll human &C
tivity; for as James III. Hammond has
we'll said: sin the strife of knowledge,
unlike other contests, victory never
fails to abide with truth, and the wise
and yirtuous who find and use this
mighty weapon are sure OF their reward.
It may not come SOON. Years, ages,
and centuries may pass away; and the
gravestone may have crumbled above
the head that should have worn the
wreath. But to the eye of faith the
vision Of the imperishable and inesita-
BILE halo that shall enshrine the memory
| is forever present, cheering and sweet
ening toll, and compensating for pri-
walton. And it often happens that the
great and heroic mind, unnoticed by
the world, buried apparently in pro.
foundest darkness, sustained by faith
works out the grandest problems OF
human progress, working under broad
rays of bright light-light furnished by
that inward and immortal lamp which,
when its mission on earth is closed, is
trimmed anew by angels hands and
placed among the stars of heaven.
In this brief sketch we do not deem
necessary to offer any proof Of the bene-
fits of moral growth, but shall contine
our thoughts to methods or means by
which this growth may be accomplish.
ed.
AS to what technical knowledge the
teacher should possess before entering
the school room az teacher, is conclu-
sively answered by the laws OF the
state.
The teacher should be not only learn
ed but a learner.
The knowledge he possesses on enter
ing on his new profession might be
properly denominated technical knowl.
. edge, and that which he may have gain
ed from testing methods, and by ex-
perience may be grouped under the
name Of the professional knowledge.
In days gone by scholastic attain
ments, or technical knowledge, was
everything, methods comparatively
nothing.
4 The improvement III method has been
as real and perhaps rs rapid, as that in
any other line Of mans progr esaiQn.
The teacher measured
from standpoint of moral excellence
depends largely on his knowledge and
application Of the principles Of psyche
logy and phrenology.
The ability to organize school come!
from close application and experiment:
based upon logical and scientific research
which is the fruit Of wears of expert
ence.
When a knowledge Of the textbook
was considered the only requisite Of thu
teacher, the rod was the principal agent
in maintaining the quiet Of the school
Too often the boy or girl was made t.
know the Importance and superiority
of the teachers physical force. Though
driven and scared into submission, JUS
then, would at the earliest opportunity
duplicate the act for revenge.
In this way many q bright future hal
been darkened, because the teacher wal
poor Judge Of human nature, and ig
norant of the pupils individual needs
4 Before we can rightly estimate the
kind and amount of grain piece ofland
will produce, we must know the climate
and conditions of the soil. Before q
farmer can hope to reap bountifu
harvest, he must know when and how
to SOW his fields; he must acquaint him.
self with natures laws, or he can mot
hope to be successful.
/ How can teacher, who is Ignorant
4 Il
of the phenomena Of the human mind
hope to be, to any degree, successful in
producing a bountifui harvest in the
field Of thought.
Concerning the conditions of the mind
for the reception Of certain kinds Of in.
struction, teachers should consult q
good work OH psychology, from which
may be obtained rational basis Of
method.
Psychology, in fact, stands in the
same relation to teaching that physi.
ology does to medicine.
The teachers art is addressed to mind
and if this art is to be rational, if it is to
be administered in the scientific or pro-
fessional spirit, the teacher should know
much of the philosophy Of mind.
We have every reason to believe that
a professional teacher should have an
arliculate knowledge Of psychology at
there is why physician should have
such knowledge Of physiology.
Mr.. Balm says: 1.-THE largest chapter
i'll the science of education is psycholog
Iical.,
4 One of the most. if not the most. i'm