The log cabin Democrat., 1916-01-13

and that, given such environments as
 will develop the interest, attention
 and appreciation of the child, the
 progress is much more rapid in school work than would be the case under other conditions.
 TOO MANN eMALL DISTRICTS.
 The one room school, in which the teacher must handle all grades, vary ing in advancement from the alpha bet to Euclid in many instances, wit nesses much waste of money and en- ergy. Generally these schools are grossly neglected as regards furni- ture and other equipment, and there is small incentive to the pupils to de- sire to continue in attendance. Pat rons are beginning to see the value in consolidation, and here and there we find that this has been done. The results may be noted in better classi- fication, longer terms of school, bet ter sanitation, heating, lighting and ventilation, and as natural result, far better results from the work of the pupils. When family convent ence, petty jealousies, and neighbor- hood strifes can be overcome, and the fact impressed that the promotion of the welfare of the child, and the general good of the whole community affected will be enhanced by consoli- dation, we shall find the rural schools taking steps more rapidly to bring about such conditions, and the waste in this direction no longer so pro- nounced.
 TOO FREQUENT CHANGE OF TEACHERS.
 Nothing has contributed more to waste in schools than the constant change in its teaching force. When a teacher has learned community condi- tions, has become acquainted with the individual pupils and knows their de- | fects or excellences, when he adapts himself to his environment and lden- tified himself with the home and civic life, he is certainly in better position to work to advantage than were he an absolute stranger. Moreover, If ,he feels reasonably sure that his ten ure of office will be of some length, he can then better plan for the fu- ture and naturally gives more time and attention to community affairs than he would under other conditions. The right teacher will be worth more and more to the school each succeed ing year, and the teacher who has not fully met the expectations of the district the first year may prove In the years succeeding the very person for the place. Let him know that his efforts are appreciated and he will strive but the harder to merit con tinued approval
 INDIVIDUALITY IS DESTROYED.
 The child is too often considered as belonging to group, instead or being looked upon as distinct per sonality, with his own peculiar traits, tastes and tendencies. While the methods and plans for the conduct of any school must be general Tn thelr character, the wise teacher will be fully alive to the fact that there IS need of study of the individual pupil. His home life, his associations, hls hopes and aspirations, his merits and defects should be as far as possible known to the teacher, and his lnfiu- ence should look toward encourage ment of the best and repression or the worst in the makeup of the pupil. This failure to recognize the individuality of the child sometimes manifests itself in the recitation. The teacher has his own idea as to how things should be done, and certainly the pupil should follow the guidance of the teacher in the main. If, how lever, the pupil has reached conclu- s;ons after his own method of reason inp. correct, but not after the pattern set bv teacher or textbook, he should be the recipient of praise for his et- forts and encouraged to exercise hls own originality, even though ne mas no precedent for what he has done' When this has occurred, he may be led to see wherein he has lost time and energy in his, search for truth and thus encouraged to adopt bet ter plan next time.
 AIM IN LIFE OVERLOOKED.
 What line of activity the pupil IS to follow when he leaves the school
 is too often of small concern to the teacher That this is largely the
 fault of the school directors is admit ted. While they are responsible fol the course of study pursued, the tact
 full teacher can easily use his lnfiu ence to have in that course certair
 subjects that will make for the inter est and welfare of the pupil, will les,
 sen the tendency to drop out of schoo
 and will send the pupil out into the world measurably prepared to mahs
 his way. It is not meant by this tha'
 the pupils will be prepared for any