The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1912-09-27


more. How, you ask? The people of
The commonwealth OF Kentucky will
readily give their support as soon
as we can convince them that the
schools are to be changed in such
a way as to teach the children how
| to live
The life of the farm has entered
$50 little into the instructions in our
rural schools. We have taught our
pupils stocks and bonds and foreign
Exchange and the matters peculiar
to the cities but never word about
the soil and growth of crops that
rendered farm life possible and pro-
fitable, or OF trees, shrubs and
flowers that make home life in the
country beautiful.
We should teach agriculture, not
to the exclusion of the other branch
es. but on equal footing with them.
We, must show our boys and girls
something OF real live, up-to-date
interest on the farm II we expect
them to stay with 1t.
A bit of nature study will help TO
make gardening delightful pas
time, with ever new wonders unfold
ing. Once get child thoroughly in
terested In the processes Of growth
and development in plants and he
will be willing to garden all over
the Plains of Jericho and the Prom
ised Land.
Glory awaits the teacher who
can throw himself into the work and
show the children that education
is something besides a ceasless
grind and the knowledge of certain
text books. Who will not leave the
poor little beings to learn for them
selves, in the hard experience Of
after years that knowledge alone is
power when applied to affairs of
every day life. The ideal rural
school is such a one as will enable
the child to associate with it. love,
pleasure. interest. enthusiasm and
inspiration. instead of discomfort,
dizziness and lack of opportunity.
The essentials of the ideal rural
teacher are large knowledge of
human nature an intimate acquaint-
ance with agricultural conditions
from the worst to the best.
Every boy and girl must be
taught the pricelessness of personal
integrity. For these boys and gir's
of to-day are the voters and sentI-
ment makers of tomorrow. Then
who shall say their training is not
of national concern?
| The ideal school will add vigor to
the life of every community, will
create an appetite for rural work
and proper attitude toward rural
possibilities.
In regard to teaching music and
art In the rural schools. it should
in no wise be neglected. It's to our
lasting disgrace that we have so
long allowed the rural child to be
denied the association of delight
full music intelligently realized.
If the country schools are to
turn out well balanced, well poised
individuals. the elements of ethics
must be taught. An effort should be
made to teach the child to think
squarely and decisively on questions
of right and wrong.
He should be taught to initiate
noble people whom he trusts and
loves. He should be shown how
splendid responsibility nobly should
cred He should be taught never to
Judge an act without knowing all
the facts in the case. He should he
taught the difference between an
excuse an real reason. He should
be taught a false impression given
as the same as deliberate lie. They
shall be taught the advantages OF
cleanliness. tastefulness and agree
able manners and to love the bah
ling brooks. the limped streams, the
lordly trees; to appreciate the
beautiful world around them and
ever be thankful to God for such
sgifts.
Then shall our bays and girls re-
caive an education not merely in
name. but in facts. This would be
my Ideal Rural School,
LYDIA MORRIS.
Sloan, KY.
Div. 2. Dist. 2. Greenup, Ky.