Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-03-21
getters froiil the 6Sfhools.
Conducted by Miss Leila A. Russell.
From Miss Russell,


There are no letters this week for
the column. Why this sudden falling
away, I know not Teachers and pu-
pills have been urged to make use OF
this column and some have done well
Not the least benefit accruing from
this Is that 1t furnishes a motive for
the writing of letters and sketches by
the children in our schools, and the
work becomes thing worth while.
However, shall fill the column this
week with some thoughts for adults
teachers, trustees, and patrons especi-
ally.
First I want to call attention to
County School Day. The York County
Teachers Association at its last meet
ing asked to observe the day at Win
throp college on Saturday, April IL
The college Is always glad to have the
teachers. pupils and all interested in
the public schools Of our county meet
with her, and thus 1t is that every one
Is urged to attend.
There are several reasons why such
a day is very profitable for our schools.
In the first place 1t will bring them to-
gether and give to both teachers and
pupils the feeling that they are not
alone in their efforts to build up and
improve York county. 1t helps to do
away with isolation which Is one of
the great difficulties Of our rural
schools and rural communities. It not
only does this. but 1t engenders uni
ty Of purpose and Of spirit. The vari-
GUS communities Of the county will
thus be brought together to work
shoulder to shoulder for the develop
ment Of the chief agency Of education.
namely the public school.
A second benefit arising from the OBJ
servance Of County School Day is that
attention is centered on the schools,
and surely this Is needed. Too long
have the schools in some sections of
our county been neglected. This neg
lect has not been intentional, but sim
ply other things have engaged the at
tention and the school seems to have
been forgotten for the time. b
II the small. neglected school in
York county under the leadership Of
its teacher and trustees would attend
this school meeting in body. the pu-
pills taking part on the programme. the
attention Of the community would be
turned to the school. a pride in 1t
would be aroused, interest awakened.
and encouraging results follow.
There will be exhibits here Of work
done in the schools Of our county. This
will stimulate the work Of the school
room and will certainly increase the
interest Of each patron who sees with
pride the exhibit from his school and
notes that his child has a part in 1t.
Fellow teachers, We are guardians
of the educational interests Of York
county, the value Of County School
Day is recognized all over the United
States; let US come together on April
the twelfth and make the day one long
to be remembered.
And now I wish to make q sugges-
ton to those teachers Of primary
grades who have racked their brains
children who cannot study while at
their seats not engaged in recitation.
There has come into my hands book
which / consider a boon to teachers Of
the lower grades.
"Educative Seat Work" is the title
Of an exceedingly helpful book for
teachers, written by Miss Fannie
wyche Dunn, supervisor Of rural
schools, state normal school, Farm
vile. Virginia -
Very little attention f. given to the
seat work Of the children in the pri-
mary grades Of the rural schools and
these children are practically unable
to study alone. They have three or
four recitations Of ten or fifteen min
utes each per day, which accounts for
not over one hour. What are these
children doing the rest Of the day?
The book referred to above will help
teachers to solve the problem. It sug-
gests seat work based on the reading,
number language, ETC., taught in the
primary grades. The suggestions are
very practical. material easily secured,
and, in most cases, inexpensive.
Many types of seat work are sug-
gested in the pamphlet, and it is made
clear that the relation between the
child's interest and his seat work
should be very close. Another good
point is that Miss Dunn has considered
the interests likely to be conspicuous
during each Of the school months.
There are several pages devoted to
outdoor and indoo, play, to the school
programme in rurai schools, and to
suggestions for the first grades first
week in school, giving work for each
day. The book viii be a very valuable
addition to every primary teachers
library. The price is thirty-five cents,
and the book may be secured from the
State Female Normal School, Farm
vile, Virginia.
Leila A Russell.
County Supervisor of Rural Schools.