The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1907-04-12
fnitted for their professional advance

L
their best improvement. The net result:
of these visits have been very satisfac
tory. The following interesting commu
nication on describing one of these pro
tessionrl visits paid sometime since, fully
discloses their tenor and value The
teacher says:
Having closed my school for the day,
| visited - school and was much
pleased with my tip; | think it will be
OF great benefit to ME in my own school
work
School property-Upon my arrival
and before entering the house, | noticed
| the appearance of the grounds and build
ing. both of which were in good condi-
| ton. The school house was located on a
bright, lofty elevation the grounds were
clean, and the signs before entering were
| those of well covered school. On the
inside of the building the floor was clean,
| the cloak rooms neat, the walls deco
rated with inexpensive but attractive pic
lures of birds and plant life, we'll suited
tor school-room.
The school was splendidly equipped
tor work. l noticed especially the fine
slate blackboards, all put to a good use,
arithmetic work from the first to the
seventh grades being spread upon the
boards. Other aids to teaching were
several good maps, charts and globe,
while the books seemed to be in generally
good condition and the furniture well
cared for. Scratches and carvings so
common on school furniture were con.
spicuous by their absence.
"Pupils-The personal appearance Of
the pupils was excellent; they were we'll
dressed, clean and tidy. They were care
iul III their movements and habits, pune.
tual and polite, excusing themselves be-
tore passing before a stranger, and in
many other little ways showing true 20
likeness. Their seat work, reading, num-
Der work for lower grades. and English
and arithmetic for advanced grades was
painstakiDg and neat. l was gratifed
with the attention shown in class. AT
recess the boys enjoyed ball on the
grounds, while the girls, because of the
cold weather, played simple games in
doors. No rough or disorderly behavior
at any time existed in the house, and
obedience was easily secured.
"Teacher-The attitude of the teacher
toward her pupils was kind, sympa-
thetic and earnest. Her orders were
firm, but gentle, her voice was low, and
her enthusiasm at all times was marked
Though completely surprised at nv visit,
her equilibrium was fully maintained and
| was made welcome visitor, showing
her complete ability to meet successfully
an unlocked tor emergency. Her person |
atty was marked and impressed itself
upon her children, which is one of the
best signs of strong teacher.
GGAatbnJ orJ
exercises which were musical and devo- |
tional, were entered into by all students,
after which they settled down to the |
work of the day Recitation work began |
with the lower grades; lessons seemed to |
be short but were well mastered, and but |
little time wasted in changing from one
subject to another. | could not have |
asked Better order. and the manner of |
the twenty six pupils present indicated |
that it was habitual. Just before noon,
while nerves and muscle were steady and
brain tired from work, copy books were
distributed and writing practiced for ff-
teen minutes. The penmanship was
good, while the general reading through
out he school was excellent. The room,
due to an extremely cold dav, could not
at all times be properly ventilated, but it
was completely accomplished by opening
windows as chiidccn entered and left the
room in symmetrical orderin response to
the organ. The points which most i'm
pressed me were good order, the appear
ance of the school-room, the interest Of
the pupils Especially in classes, and the
personality of the teacher On the
whole, think the day was one Of great
value to me, as it gave me glimpse into
a well governed schOol.rOOm -