Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-18
RURAL SCHOOLS
BY W. Clyde johnson.
BY W. CLYDE. JOHNSON
Superintendent County Schools

1t certainly does look good to sec a
teacher come into the school room
full Of business which she has care
fully prepared at homo the night be-
fore, and to see her go straight about
that business and fill the blackboard
across one end OF the house full OF
original problems, library references
and supplementary work for each OF
the different classes, something that
adds new life and interest and enthu-
siasm TO the pupils work and keeps
them probably and happily en-
ployed. And then, too, | noticed that
those pupils prepare their lessons
we'll. make interesting Rotations,
and are learning we'll. These things ]
noticed at Sneed Miss Marie Hender-
son is the teacher and lives in the
district. This year she has bought a
number OF books, a pencil sharpener,
toy money and other busy work for
the little folks with her box supper
money. The board bought an excel
lent agricultural chart
This is Miss Elizabeth o'Brien's
third year at Bryan. She ia working
hard to get the school approved. This
can very we'll be done, as they lack
but little They also have a pencil
sharpener. a number of new books,
sweepo, teachers desk, water cooler,
busy work, sand table, and oil for the
floor. Much Of this was bought with
pie supper money.
The school work has been serious
ly interrupted at Bean Creek. Mis-
Mabel Cook is the teacher. The pupils
are just getting started again. 1t
means quite loss TO school when
It is closed for any reason.
This year they have repaired their
fence and storm cellar, have a new
flag. barn and door and expect to
make other improvements yet.
Miss Ethel Haezlitt at Daniel has
her beginners read each sentence 81
lently before attempting to read 1t
aloud. In this way she prevents them
form forming the habit of"dragging."
She said her board had been quite
willing to supply her with all things
that she had called on them for. This
certainly deserves commentator.
They have four new desks Just right
for the little folks, an organ, sand
table, a pencil-sharpener. sanitary
drinking fountain, new barn, and
are using sweepo to keep the dust
down.
Miss Grace Langenbach lost a week
of school following the Christmas
holidays because Of sickness. She is
the teacher at Payne. They have new
books, two good pictures. and toll
ct for the girls.
Miss Anna McMurtry, with the CO.
operation of her board is working
hard to make Carter an approved
school. Their success is assured.
They have new books, a pencil-sharp-
ener, busy work for the little ones,
and best of all an excellent heater.
There are now 80 in the rural schools
and doubt II there is anything in
the school room that pays better re-
turns on the money invested, not ev-
en- excepting the teacher.
Miss Mabel Kilgore has a large
school at Sims: 80 were present. They
also have new organ, a pencil
sharpeneF, and a new roof. This is
consistent improvement, and be-
lIeve that it will be continued from
year to year.
Cedar Grove also has a new heater
and is not far from approval Miss
Mary Hatcher is the teacher. She may
succeed yet in meeting the require
ments for approval. They also have a
sand table, new books, paper, towel
ing and sweepo.
Miss Dollie Mckenzie is teaching
her second term at Hisey She had %
of her % pupils present They have a
new we'll, new barn and some new
books.
Miss Nellie Pulls, beginner is
the teacher at Cant. She has large
library and is making good use of it.
Several Of her classes are using IL
brary books intheir reading, and their
reading deserves commentator. Too
frequently what I hear is not read
ing. The pupils drag through the les
son, calling some the the words and
stumbling over the others, but that is
not reading. She has new desk and
chair.
The following is by Mark Burrows
in the Rural School Messenger:
"The writer spent few days this