St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1914-03-21

EVERYTHING
Clipped and Culled from Various
<
Sources and Commented Upon,
by w. A. Bynum, Principal
COvington High School.
IlliteracE in Louisiana.

eracy. This is not the first time
that such a report has gone broad
cast over the land. While We ac-
knowledge that the report must be
correct, we have right to be proud
Of the fight we are making to reduce
the ill.teracy. As the New Orleans
States says, it is regretable that equal
~ wide circulation cannot be given
to q bulletin of the Univers ty OF
Virginia, contemporaneously issued,
in which Lou siana is shown at the
head of the States of the South in
increase Of appropriations for educa-
tional purposes dur ng the past dozen
years. The New York Times adds:
Between 1901 and 1910 only two
southern states failed to ra-se their
school appropriations 100 per cent;
and Lou siana witnessed an increase
Of about $50 per cent, or from ST.
1000 to $4,3O0,000."
Commenting, the States says fur
Their: ''Such statement is impress
sive, and It is an earnest Of the Lou
isiana spirit in the matter of edu-
cational advancement. No people
are striving more sincerely to break
down the walls of .lliteracy in their
midst. The task is a difficult one,
but It ie impossible to believe that,
so far as the whites are concerned,
the heavy. expenditures we are now
making H. the next few years will
lift the. State out of the unenviable
position i'm which these government
.statisticss place her,.
school dhildren and Entertainments.
The Ale1andria Town Talk recently
said: 1.-THE midterm examinations
at the public schools. which were
completed yesterday, revealed state
of affairs that will probably be a
surpr.se to the parents of many OF
the pupils. 1t is stated by Prof.
Brahfe. principal Of the Alexandria
High School; that there is q notice
able difference in the standing and
marks made by q number of pupils
that does not speak we'll for them!
He attributes the cause to the In
crease in the number of social alta rs
that are attended by these pupils.
It is impossible for children to do
well in their studies at school IL they
have been out half the night at
party or other gathering. Their
recitation next day, as we'll as Their
heavy and sleepy eyes tell the tale
all too well.'
Covington might profit by the con-
ditions in Alexandria. The school
board should fix q requirement for
the teachers that they do not attend
entertainments or shows unless some
SPECIAL occasion during the week. mol
have company or callers more than
one night. This does not mean FIR :,
day. Saturday and Sunday nights.
Teachers should set the example.
While the time may be theirs when
not in school, their duties demand
that they have clear brain and sane
Temperament while teaching, which
they cannot have, if they have been
entertain ng or being entertained til
-. And after fixing such a require
ment for teachers, like require
ment should be made for the pupils.
Children cannot do school work ano
go to a picture show every night.
Home Study for School Children.
Recently State Superintendent
Harris sent out a Circular letter
wherein he tersely assailed those
teachers who hear lessons and lie.
the parents do the teaching. The
letter made no distinction in pupils,
and the writer OF these notes wrote
him. expressing agreement in the
main. but taking exception in tn.
case of high school pup Is. Mr.. Har
ris replied that he never had in min.
the d.scOuraging of home study b.
high school pupils. There is oue
thing certa n as life or death, an,
that is. the average pupils canno
successfully accomplish the presenl
high school grades without more
study than he can do while at thu
school house. He must either &c
up. most Af his. work at home OF. .tne ]
school day5Ae lengtnsned.-. Gaugnt
other. sehQels by that at Coxington
No puzzle. are doing extra well WITT:
then week. Whilssmost are pass NJ J
their grades they are doing SO anc
that's all. High school pupils should
have 1t as their daily task, five n.ghts
In the week. to study not less thar
two hours at home. High schoo.
pupils should learn how to maete
subject alone. 1t teaches self-rel
ance and independence. There is n.
doubt that teachers are do ng to.
much for them. Not half the pupils i
have the courage to tackle a new cas-.
q algebra. They want their lesson;
given them like medicine is given t.
babes. sweetened up. Then it has t.
10 poured down q number. Child
EN- are tired when school closes, am
'hould do up Their chores and get
OF Of fresh air and exercise. Ate.
upper, from 8 TIL 10, they shout
tudy. 1t seems people can do bet
er brain work at night. The gres
are night productions
Yearly all OF them. There is noth.n:
outside calling them from their wor.
or there should not be. They ca
their minds better, an
an learn about three lessons. The
nth sw It review next day. the
an meet their rec itations prepare
Usually they have study periods
chool for the others not learned a
ONE. Some system is needed, an
he quicker parents help it the bel
er for the pupils.
led SChOOlhOuse Is New But y Men
DRY.
The following from the Christia,
[erald will bring up pleasant mem
ries to the older readers; but il
lost cases in the South the school
ouse was not red; not painted Al
Il. Anyway the pleasant memories
Ill cluster about It:
II