Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1952-10-10
SATUR ALTON

STeSS III SuUJeCl ny TIE learning
ability of the brightest pupils; it
may be forgotten that every plod-
der or slow developer brings to
the schools teaching fund (this
finds its way into the teachers
pay check; the larger the class
the higher the percent of failures
in terms of grades; the larger
the class the less frequent the
pupils opportunity to recite or
participate in any exercise
Participation by the pupils in
class, laboratory or in recreation
is the best opportunity to learn. In
fact, understandingly participa-
ting is one of the best evidences
of learning. The larger the class
the fewer the opportunities for
participation by recitation or
demonstration.
Such participation is much
more restricted in supplementary
high school activities such as de-
batting sections, orchestra or
bands and dramas or plays; the
restrictions are much greater in
such games as football, basket
ball and base ball. Since only a
limited number of the high
school enrolment can be used on
a debating team or in the orches-
ira or band, or in a play, those
who are "out" are denied the
right to participate and to over
come their own shortcomings
They become the rooterS who
play their part in their imagina-
ton. Each one brings in state
money, however.
In a smaller school most of
the talent must be used even
though it may not be all that
would be desired by the idealist.
Our aim may be toward an ideal
in an argument, the rendering of
a musical selection or in the
impersonation of q character or
in the playing of some of the
fine points Of a game, but the
school should be kept in mind
as an organization for the devel-
opment of its pupils all of its
pupils not a select few. A
school is not contest agency
to make a show of a few. The
word educate comes from two
words from another language
which means to draw out,
drawing out of the mind of the
individual what powers there may
be that are susceptible to devel-
opment. A school can be either
too small or too large for nor
NAL teaching to take place.
The bringing together of dis
ciplinary problems of one school
and those Of some others and
the individuals participating in
unethical practices gives power
to those who have little respect
for rules or laws. Results: clash
eS over the results Of games;
students strikes usually over re-
tanning or discharging coaches
or teachers or sIperintendents
In some city schools even gangs
of thieves, house students.
Schools that are very small
present conditions leading to So
cial and educational starvation;
very large ones develop social
and educational problems not in
keeping with the money contrib
uted locally or by the state.
Participation in schoolroom act
Ivities and in recreational feat
ures is reduced to a minimum.
Let US pause and think before
great changes are made es-
pecially from teaching conditions
to transportation problems.
Sincerely yours,
A. B. Graham
Teacher in Rural Schools and
Supt. of Township Schools, II
years.
Founder Of All Clubs, 1902.
First Director of Agr. Exten-
sion in Ohio, 1905 to 1914
Published first Bulletin on
Consolidated Schools, 1906.
Helped form the first plan for
Junior High Schools, for the
National Education Assn, 1906.