The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1901-09-13

result in great confusion. The thing
for each of us to seek for is the substan-

Tor each OF us to seek for is the substan-
tial progress of our pupils. Each pupil
should be competent to perform the
work of his grade and, if possible, he
should be made to complete it, Turn
Ing pupils back to repeat q years work
has driven more pupils to abandon the
idea OF getting an education than any
other one cause. In the higher grades
but few pupils will remain in school
who are subjected to this procedure.
1T Is unsatisfactory to both parents
and pupils to learn that the years work
has not been completed. 1t follows
then that each teacher should use every
means at hand to make her pupils do
their work thoroughly day by day.
Cards reporting the standing of each
pupil will be filled out and sent to the
parents at the middle and close of each
term SO that there cannot be any disap-
polntment or misunderstanding as to
the pupils standing in the school.
VI will call your attention to some of
tie leading principles that We should
kee in mind:
power. We are all aware of the fact
that it is only oy the exercise of the
mental faculties that intellectual
Sst ShF7 W. 10 cOSul GU. hC. MSIS CUIl'
mitment and recitation Of the printed
page does not necessarily indicate men
tai growth. Yet we, as teachers, too
often seek for ard are satisfied with
this, while the pupil who thinks, inves-
tigates and reasons but recites indif-
ferently receives a lower grading We
should rather put a premium on orig
lnal work and thus seek in every way
to arouse the faculties to action. The
memory should not be neglected alto
gether. A few fundamental principles
and foundation truths should be COM
mltted, while the great mass of knowl-
edge we secure should lie i'm bedded in
the understanding.
"Ihe correct order is, arouse interest
In the subject, create desire for
knowledge of it, then lead to It's acqusi-
tion.
The question often occurs as to how
much aid the teacher should give the
pupils in their study. 1t is generally
understood among educators that pupils
should not be told that which they can,
by reasonable effort, find out them
selves. The true business of the
teacher is to economic energy by prop
erly directing the effort of the child.
The true teacher is q leader and an in.
spirer. The word educate means to
draw out. We all understand that it is
no5 our business to pour in and cram
down knowledge into the minds of the
children. But the temptation to do
this is often great and hard to with
stand, for the pupils are expected to ac-
quire certain amount of knowledge,
which they are unable or unwilling to
acquire by the proper method. In
some eastern schools, as you are aware,
as much work is given by the teacher
in the preparing OF the lessons as in
hearing them recited. This is the most
recent innovation in school method and
like many another it has in it sugges-
tion of value which we do we'll to heed;
that is that the manner of preparation
of the lessons by the pupils should re-
ceive the teachers careful attention.
In this line the work to be used by our
state reading circle entitled, How to
Study has been written and from
which I@hope we may secure much val
liable help.
"Just how, and just how much to
help the student in the acquisition OF
his lesson requires the best judgment
on the part of the teacher. If you help
the pupil too much he is weakened, if
wv ll66lS uc 10 ulsCOuFdSGus GU re-
member that year ago great deal OF
attention was given in educational cir
cles to individual work. This interest
remains at the present time. The
teacher should not only view her
school as unit but each Individual
member of it should receive special at
tention.
1--WE who deal with graded schools
need to be watchful lest we violate this
principle. The class being the unit,
we are liable to lose sight of the indl-
vidual members. Successful teaching
depends largely upon the teachers en-,
thusiasm, deYotedness and helpfuIness,
often more than upon her intellectual
ability. I am sure that none OF us need
fail and | am contid snt that none OF us
will, for believe that we are all alert
and that we shall rise to the full meas.
ure of the duties that are upon u.s.