Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-10-17
Requisites of a Good School from
the Viewpoint of the
Teacher.
DE ETA WORRAL.

ginning Oh SCHOOLS mas arrived. With
the 1912 or more pupils under our
supervision, the responsibility is great.
We, who come into direct contact
with the pupils, as teachers, are the
maSter-meChanics Let us see to it
that the structure builded under our
direction this winter, is of the best.
Be interested in our school work and
let nothing interfere with it.
Remember the words of Byron w.
King "Do your best. If that is not
good enough, do better than your
best"
In the first place, the school room
and grounds should be put in order.
If the school board can not, or will
not, attend to it, are we going to
teach a term of school in a room with
| dirty floor and windows, rusty stoves
etc?
The following description of good
school was taken from the County
Superintendent's monthly:
''The floor was as clean as careful
sweeping could make it. CA dirty
floor is one of the unmistakable signs
of a poor school) There was not
enough whispering to be noticed.
Pupils are all busy. Unnecessary
work on the blackboard was carefully
erased. There was no lounging,
swapping of fingers, dragging of feet,
or walking about the room, simply to
get exercise or create confusion. The
teacher saw all the pupils all the time;
but did not watch them.
During the recitation he gave his
entire attention to the lesson in hand
Pupils not in the recitation were not
permitted to interrupt the teacher, at
this time, by asking questions, waving
hands etc. The preparation of
lessons went on without any help from
the teacher. He, as already stated
devoted his entire time to the recitation,
and in this way made it interesting and
profitable. The conditions we're
ideal and it was due to the teacher"
There should be a good school
house at proper temperature, regu-
lated by a good thermometer, this
should be hung and also observed
with great care. The room we'll
ventilated and properly lighted.
Large pleasant play ground, all the
necessary apparatus as maps, charts,
globe and plenty of blackboard ROOM
Good drinking water The room
should be cheerful, neat and clean.
Children always love flowers, and
few growing plants will brighten up
the room wonderfully.
The connection between physical
environment and human conduct is
very intimate. Other things equal,
the more attractive ones surround
ings, the higher will be his aspirations
and the easier their attainment. In
no place has beautiful picture more
influence for good than on the wall
of an elementary school.
Neatness and order are closely
allied to virtue in conduct.
The pupil should have a desire to
learn. When the pupils mind ceases
to respond to the substance presented,
there is no teaching; no matter what
the teacher may do. When learning
ceases, teaching ceases. One of the
primary conditions of mental culture
is well organized and healthy brain
The pupil should have an amiable
disposition, fine sense of honor, love
for truth, justice etc. Obedient,
bright and intelligent. Love and
respect for teacher and full confidence
in him.
There should be not less than 30
pupils in the country school, whose
activities are alive, capable of being
stimulated and guided. Regularity
and punctuality are two important
school virtues which must not be
underestimate. No other discipline
of the school enters more helpfuuy
into practical life. 1t is the basis of
combination whether in industrial,
social or civil affairs, and its presence
makes success possible. The school
should faithfully instill into the minds
of its pupils sacred regard for truth,
and manly hatred of falsehood in
all its forms and guises.
Indeed, every good school is
pervaded by the spirit of kindness,
courtesy, sympathy, charity, etc.
The teacher should have a good
education so that he will be master of
tho ~ I,a and