The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1909-07-22
Normal Notes.

State Superintendent Blair, OF ILL
noiS, delivered an interesting address
to the summer school students in the
assembly room last Thursday even
ing on "The Leaks in the Public
School System. His treatment of
the subject showed him to be man
of culture, wide experience and good
common sense. Some of his points
are as follows:
The lack of proper financial sup
port is responsible for many of the
'leaks" in our school system, caus-
ing loss of time and effort in trying
to work without proper equipments.
Education has made the difference
in the present condition of our coun-
try and its condition, when il was in
habited by the Indian and the buffalo.
Education is responsible for the in
crease in values, which have taken
place. The price of land, of both
skilled and unskilled labor, and of all
kinds Of property increase in proper
ton with the education of the masses
of the people. Education makes it
possible for each one to be protected
in his right to accumulate property.
The safeguard of property is educa-
ton. In view of these facts il is not
asking too much Of the taxpayers to
ask for liberal financial support of
our common schools.
Another leak" is the injury to
health so often caused by unfit build
ings and unsanitary conditions Of
school property. This is being i'm
proved to a certain extent as new
buildings are constructed.
Another form Of leak" occurs in
the school room-the work Of the in
competent teacher II is impossible
to estimate the waste caused by in
competent teachers.
The teacher should be well endow-
ed by nature; should be one OF the
community in which he or she works;
should possess a certain amount Of
good common sense; should be OF a
CHEEKY disposition; and when there is
not harmony in the school should be
able to locate the cause of the dis
cord.
The teacher should know the SUBJ
ject matter well; should know more
of the subject than she expects to
teach. The teacher by making a spe-
cial effort to teach her favorite SUBJ
iect well may often be inspired to bet
ter work in the other subjects.
The competent teacher understands
the child-mind and knows how to re-
late subject matter. She should have
the end in view from the beginning.
The work of the well-trained and
thoughtful teacher is of inestimable
value to mankind. The teacher
builds unto the everlasting.
In furnishing opportunity for teach,
ers to better fit themselves for thelI
chosen work, the Normal School is g
great device for stopping educationa
y. ''leakS."
The Bates Co. people met last Fri
day evening as usual and held yer.
interesting meeting. Twenty-si'
: were present at roll-call, and severa
came in before the close of the bust
V ness meeting.
n Miss Cox gave an interesting read
r ing, which was followed by tai
If from Prof. Harry Phillips on Agricu
: ture in the Public Schools. Pro-
l. Phillips gave teaching of observation
n training children to see things as the
). are, learning some of the common ir
e sects-harmful and harmless, arith
S metic work relating to the farm
lie propagation of plants, the study
D. soils, farm animals, ETC., as some
e. the work, which might be profitabl
done in the common school course.
Supt. Robinson, Of Rich Hill,
IN discussing Prot. Phillips talk, sal
&c that the teaching of Agriculture in tn
10 Public Schools was instrumental
= teaching respect for farmers ar
II farm-life, and that it was of equal in
III portance to the commercial studies.
ID The Round Table Talk was pos
:" poned until next meeting. 1t will
Z led by Prof. P. G. Buckles. S. E.
to Col. C. r. Walters, editor of Il
II, Rich Hill Review, spent several da,
We in Butler last week, admiringly vieN
,ff ing the wonders and beauties of 4
sc county seat. The Colonel was on /