The weekly Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1911-1922, 1911-12-14
grown students are as careless as the
smaller ones.

grown stuoents are as careless as the
smaller ones.
This is due from a lack of interest
In keeping the body which is the
temple of the soul, in proper con-
dition, and if a teacher can Undue
her pupils with a proper regard for
these essentials of cleanliness, such
as proper and regular bathing, car
ing for the teeth and nails, etc. she
or he will have done something for
those pupils which will benefit them,
long after they have forgotten i'm
portant historical and geographical
facts. / do not believe as a rule
that parents are wilfully careless,
but many mothers have never been
taught the Importance Of these
things and really do not realize how
much they wrong the child by not
insisting on these things being done.
Given a wholesome schoolroom, pure
air and clean body, the pupil of
average ability will do good work, If
he has a teacher who understands
how to direct his work. The stand
ard Of efficiency in scholarship and
training is being raised all the time
and except in rare cases the teach
ers are well fitted for the work of
training the intellect, of the child,
provided they have the tact and in
sight necessary to deal with chill
dren, as children.
Ignorance of the working Of the
child mind, and of the stages Of
growth in body as well as in mental
development, is the cause of the
failure of many teachers to make
good. Many Of our best teachers
today are not the ones who are the
most excellent scholars, but are those
who have made study of the child
and have adapted the work to suit
the capabilities of the different in
.dividuals so that each one learns.
Remember. I have in mind the
average child. Of course, In every
school some pupils are unusually
brilliant and others are naturally
slow. and it is a tactful teacher in
deed who can marshall her forces
of mind and will bring something
of benfit and interest to each one.
I would say we need teachers who
from the standpoint of honor, NOR
ality and justice, seeing to it that
every child has a square deal, re-
gardless of personal congeniality to
the teacher are models In these
things to every child.
Next-0ne of the greatest needs
of our schools, is proper co-opera-
ton of the parent and teacher. Lack
of such cooperation is due to the
indifference of the parent or teach
er or both.
Many teachers imagine because
more parents do not visit the
schools, that it is a sure indication
of lack Of interest in the school.
Such may be the case, no doubt
often is so, but it is not safe to
consider it so, universally. There
are many reasons why parents do
not oftener visit the schools.
First of which, I believe is natural
timidity. Many people would enjoy
the visit if it were not for the fear
that they would be called upon to
make some remarks to the school.
This sounds oueerly. but, I have
known such to be the case. Then,
again, many stand in awe. if not fear
of the teacher and think they would
not be welcomed. I have in mind
one teacher who, while outwardly
courteous, makes her patrons feel
uncomfortable and they soon realize
that their visits are looked upon as
iutrusions This is a rare occurrence
for most teachers gladly welcome in
terested visitors. Often we find that
courteous note of inquiry or of
explanation as to any deficiency or
delinquincv brings hearty response
from most parents, for believe me,
the majority OF parents are very
much interested in their children
and are willing to do anything in
their power for their advancement.
I oniv remember one incident when
courteous note or friendly visit
failed to bring the proper response.
I had two children brothers, one 10
and the other past 8 who were In
the second grade. They were un-
fortunately Of the dull. slow class
but were in school with other chill
dren. / expended much energy and
patience on the two, giving them
much time that really belonged to the
other members of the class. / final
ly concluded to ask the parents to
help them a little in the evenings.
I wrote a very courteous, kindly
note. making known my wishes and
received in response This:
"We hain't got no time to learn
our children. That's what you're
hired fun"