The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-06-02
NEED MORE LIFE
IN RURAL SCHOOLS
Commissioner Dempsey Urges More At
tractive School WOrk-ReeOm-
mends Many Improvements.

MONTPELIER, June 2.-Commis
Siouer of Education Clarence IL. Demp-
sey. who has just returned from two
weeks tour of the state in which he Wis
tied large number of rural schools, has
compiled his observations and Sugges-
tionS into circular which is being sent
out to teachers, supervisors, etc.
The commissioner places great empha-
sis on reading, history, geography. Eng
lish and arithmetic. The list of sug-
geStiUns is as follows:
The teacher should not only endeayor
in every possible way to plan the regular
work according to 4 fixed course of study
for each grade. but She should also en-
deavor to enrich the lessons given in
reading, history, geography, English
composition, current events and drlth-
metic by bringing in supplementary in
formation. \ striking characteristic of
many rural schools is the mOnOtouy of
their programs and the consequent life
Iessness of the days work. These should
be remedied in every possible way, eSpe-
cialIy because of the few opportunities
that many rural children have for educa-
ton. culture and other desirable things.
Pupils Lack AIertnesS.
There is a tendency in rural schools
for work to settle into a slow and pas
aive character rather than to develop into
an alert. active occupation. This evi-
dences itself in n low, mOnotolOus tone
OF voice in reading and recitation, in
slOWneSS of response to questions and IN
a lack of initiative and eagerness. There
il often a marked tendency on the part
of children to content themselves with
the study of assigned lessons. Educa-
ton is not merely acquisition of facts
and their reproduction, but if is more
largely the development of application OF
knowledge and of Self-actiyity, and a
constant effort must be made by the
teacher to avoid hfeleSSneSs and to de
velop yigor. energy and positive qualities.
Reading and recitatiOna should be
characterized by clear, sufficiently loud
and positive tone of voice. Self conf
dence should be developed in every way.
Oftentimes q lack of confidence is evil
denced by Rotations given in question
ing voice with rising infection at the end
of sentences, indicating an uncertainty
on the part of the pupils. This should
be corrected constantly until scholars
form the habit of recIting in definite,
positive manner.
Recommends Sports and Games.
The life of the rural schools should be
varied by developing special activities,
such as games and sports special as
signments of recitati0nS. readings, reports
on current events, reading of selected
books by teacher and upper grade pupils,
exercises to which parents are invited.
and the like. The school should be made
as much as possible n center of vital i'll
terest in the community.
Improve School Property.
Constant efforts should be made bv su-
pprintendents, teachers and school direc-
tors To improve school property by re-
pairs. painting. cleaning and other
needed work. \ poor or dilapldated
school has harmful and not an educa-
tive effect upon the children. 1t tends
toward Shiftlessncss and ineficiency and
reacts upon the community. The school
house. grounds and equipment should be
a positive, helpful influence and an ex-
cellent model. not an establishment for
which the community must apologize.
Children react to their surroundings and
unconsciously estimate the character of
their town and the value of education
bv the opportunities and advantages fur
nished them.