The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1911-10-27

mountain school. Hut thlb Was no
all l made the following notes ~
watched the work. On the wall
Noticed the leaves OF tweniy-eigh
kinds of trees pinned TO piece q
whip cord and labeled This wal
study OF the right kind; for shonlc
not child know trees OF his en-
yironment by bark. leaf aud wood
Should he not know the birds nj
sight? And should he not know al
these things. In their relation e
his life? This is education. ThS
daily program WAS beautifully prln
ted and in sight of all; and beat
OF all It was scrupulously followed
thus teaching promptness a great
lesson Beautiful flowers were on III
perfectly arranged desk: new
water cooler was in the rear OF the
room; wash pan and clean towels
were by the door. and every child
had clean face and nicely combcd
hair and more the finger nails were
clean The Fifth Reader class was
reading Miles Standish with APP
probation; while the Fourth Reader
class had lesson in voice culture,
All, but IL was a sight to see this lit
tie woman training their voices and
body. There were new shades per-
fectly Numbered sash curtains over
the lower part OF the windows. Thd
children had made book case :
Handwork with paper was In
Evidence learned that this
was done at noon In
the windows were two boxes; in
one growing corn. In the other
wheat The stand OF corn was per-
feet; one stack OF wheat was miss
ing Here was some basis Cor nat
ures study. language work and
real arithmetic. Eg. II 70 grains OF
wheat are planted and eleven grains
sprout. what percent failed TO sprout
1t Is so easy TO fill the old tradl-
tlonal subjects full OF real life, u
the teacher is awake noticed
on the teachers desk copy OF Mar
ion Harlands Cook Book. and was
informed that the girls we're using
II Great. wasn't ~ And would you
believe Il? The material for a draw
ing lesson some sprigs OF golden rod
had been prepared by the teacher lie
fore school; and when the time
came for the lesson the class went
TO work upon Il without a word frof
the teacher How is that for sys-
tem?A thermometer was on the wall
The morAing was cool; but II seem
I'd to me that the mercury OF zeal.
system, order. enthusiasm. loyalty
was at 100 degrees. What this
little teacher had done. any teach
er can do. by describing at such
length this school. do not mean
to intimate that these things are
not found in the others. on the
contrary, | want TO convey tho idea
that when your County Board and
the psople are ready for better
organization OF your schools, you
already have the teachers.
Monthly Examinations.
II was great pleasure to learn
that your teachers were following
the Course OF Study month by
and that you were rcquir-
ing the teachers to hold regular
examinations. was In
formed that the local trustee must
certify from his own knowledge that
tho examinations had been prop
erly held before the teachers' sAi-
ary would be paid This is real
thing our rural
schools have long needed am
sure that efficient supervision
would increase the value OF the
rural schools at least 100 per cent
desire to express my unquniifi-i
approval OF your method of requlr-
Ing The teachers TO issue grade
cards to the children each month
aud to keep an accurate record of
their grades This is system. Your
plan OF having your teachers re-
port good things from their
schools in the local paper seems
wise and good. 1t enables your
teachers to do team worka hard
thing 10 do in scattered schools.
Your Idea OF recommending good
books 10 your teachers and of
keeping trace OF their reading is
excellent. In fact you are doing
for your rural teachers what up-to-
ietA city superintendent are doing
for city teachers. Let me say here
tina until the country recognizes
the fact that rural schools need
as much as city schools
the country schools will suffer in
with city schools.
Suggestions.
Based upon my obseryatlns Of
your schools and first hand