public attention to the pestilential effects of foul air, breathed over and over in the school room. He wanted the truth repeated, until the community became impressed with it. The report stated his views on the subject and in language by no means too strong. If there was any thing to object to it, it was the use of the phrase "Empire State," which was too common in reports and debates. There was an egotism in it that was offensive, and he should like to see it discarded. of examination was but 16. It was estimated, in the reports of the Massachusetts Board of Education, that one-fourth of the money appropriated by the State was totally lost, from this cause; and Mr. McF. apprehended that the loss in this State was still more. Teachers had brought to his notice cases where parents had been clamorous in their censure of them, because their children did not make progress, when, on referring to the roll, it was found that the children had attended only 13 or 15 days in three months. How could it be ima Mr. Mayhew said that phrase occurred only in a quotation. It was the remark of an eminent cler-gined that scholars should advance under such cirgyman in reference to a village "in the heart of the wealthiest county in the Empire State," and yet a village whose chief school house was in the disgraceful condition and location designated in the report. The report and resolutions were adopted. TEACHERS' CERTIFICATES. Mr. Stevens of Wyoming, offered the following resolution which was unanimously adopted : Whereas, It is deemed by this convention, of the first importance, that great care should be exercised by the County Superintendents in grauting county certificates, that a thorough acquaintance should be had by the Superintendents with all the qualifications of candidates for teaching before giving county certificates. Therefore Resolved, That this convention recommend to the County Superintendents, that in no case, county certificates be given to candidates for teaching on the first examination, but that such county certificates be given only after visiting the schools, and an examination of the manner of teaching, and of all the requisite qualifica tions which entitle teachers to such certificate. SCHOOL APPARATUS. Mr. Myres of Sullivan, chairman of the committee, reported the following, which was adopted unanimously: cumstances? It was unreasonable to expect it from a teacher. He hoped to see some action on this subject by the convention. Col. Stone was in favor of the resolution, and would be in favor of something more, if it were within the power of the convention. But until the county officers shall apportion the public money honestly-not according to the register of names, but according to the actual attendance he feared the evil would be beyond remedy. Nothing could be more chilling to a teacher, than to be thus deserted by his scholars. And the fault was often in the parent, he keeping his child at labor, while he was drawing his share of the public money.Perhaps there was no remedy, but to apply to the legislature for a law changing the mode of apportioning the school fund. Col. S. explained the mode of preventing "absenteeism" in the city of New-York. means of ensuring prompt attendance in the counMr. Rochester said he had found a very efficient try districts of Monroe county, to be the introduction of singing at before 9 A. M. In the city of Rochester, they had the premiums for punctual attendance, and the dispatching of messengers, described by the gentleman from New-York, (Col. Stone.) Resolved, That in the opinion of this convention, the introduction into our district-schools of the proper sciAfter some further remarks from Messrs. Tookentific apparatus, especially globes, maps, and black-er and Stevens, the resolution was adopted. boards is indispensably necessary to their prosperity and usefulness. A resolution offered by Mr. Sprague, this morning, on the subject of Dr. ewall's plates of the human stomach, was called up, but a motion to lay it on the table prevailed, by a decaded vote. He did intend to On motion of Mr. Wright of Washington, Resolved, That the Superintendent of Common Schools be respectfully requested to take into consideration the Mr. Henry rose, and reminded the President propriety of issuing a requisition upon the County Su- that by a decision made last evening, all parliaperintendents, to inquire into and report from time to mentary rules had been ruled out of this conventime, the number of teachers that may hereafter be tion. They were therefore without rules, and if found actually employed in teaching district schools he (Mr. H.) in what he was about to offer, should within their jurisdiction, who have at any time attend-be personal, it would be out of the power of the ed "a teachers' department," to be established by the President to call him to order. recent ordinance of the Regents of the University. THE TEACHERS OF OUR COMMON SCHOOLS. On motion of Mr. Henry of Herkimer, Rosolved, That this convention recognize in the hundreds of devoted and faithful Common School Teachers, efficient and untiring friends of the great cause of popoular education, and that we cordially and earnestly invite them to co-operate with us in all our efforts to benefit the children and youth of our country. IRREGULARITY OF ATTENDANCE Three o'clock, P. M. Mr. McFarland offered the following resolution: Resolved, That among the various evils which paralyze the efforts of teachers, few are more prominent than irregularity of attendance of pupils, and none more loudly demands a remedy. be personal; and if he should get himself into a Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be tendered to Col. SAMUEL YOUNG, for his attendance upon its deliberations, and his co-operation in our labors ; and that from the manner in which he his discharged the duties of his office we recognize in him an efficient officer, and a staunch friend of the great cause of public education. Col. Stone cheerfully rose to extricate the gentleman from his imaginary difficulty. He seconded the resolution, proposing to amend it, however, according to what he presumed was the intention of the mover, by inserting the words "as Su Mr. McF. said he had come to this convention for the purpose of listening, and of going home to ap-perintendent of Common Schools." He was glad ply to a useful purpose the information he should that he had been called upon to second this resoluobtain. He should not have risen now, were it tion; and it afforded unalloyed happiness to know not that he feared the subject he had brought for that there was one subject in regard to which all ward would pass without notice. He could not sects of religion, and all parties in politics, could speak as to other counties; but in the county of meet upon one common platform. He had watchDelaware, this was a very serious evil. In dis-ed the course of that officer- (he imagined that he tricts having on their teacher's roll some 50 children, the average attendance was from 25 to 30, and in one district, the actual attendance on the day was not now present-he had had personal intercourse with him in his official relations; and he had found him to be all that was expressed in the DEPARTMENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS. The District School Journal will hereafter be directed to the Trustees of districts, by their official designa. tion, thus, "Trustees No. 12, Herd's Corners, Avon," resolution-vigilant, enlightened, impartial-de-State of N. Vork-Secretary's Office. termined to do his duty without fear, favor or affection." He had spoken of political parties--he did not know what the politics of more than one or two members of the convention were. The NOTICE TO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS. gentleman from Herkimer, (Mr. Henry,) to be sure jocosely remarked last evening that he was a loco foco---he should not have found it out from any thing that appeared here. But he did not desire to know what their politics were---he would not inquire. We are (said Col. S.) engaged in a deeper, more permanent, and far more important subject than the ephemeral politics of the day. Ephemeral, I say, because parties are constantly changing, and, in that respect, if we know what we are, none of us know what we shall be. Indeed, in the present aspects, many of us may be puzzled to tell what we are now. Laughter. It is well known that in 1840, we sung too much to please me. But, continued Col. S. it is well known that the Secretary of State and myself have never agreed in politics---that is, that we have always differed upon great principles---personally I hope there has never been unkindness. I second the adoption of this resolution, as eminently just and merited. The resolution passed unanimously. in the following counties:-Broome, Chemung, Colum. bia, Dutchess, Franklin, Genesee, Greene, Herkimer, Jefferson, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Onondaga, Orleans, Oswego, Queens, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Tioga, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates. Notice of this change in the direction of the Journal should be published in the county paper, and the attention of the town Su. perintendents especially called to the same subject, that the common school laws, together with the regulations of the Department may be received and preserved in every district. The Superintendents of the remaining counties, will promptly forward the necessary directions, for the Journal being sent in the same manner to the several districts under their superintendence, according to the order issued in the May Journal. Through the town Superintendents the address of every district can now be easily ascertained, and the reception of the Journal secured. Col. Young, addressing the President, thanked the convention through him, for this expression of their approbation. It would stimulate him, if possible, to greater efforts in the discharge of his official duties. The cause of education was truly the cause of human advancement, and should enlist the efforts of every philanthropist, of whatever to make any communication to the Department, he will Whenever any County Superintendent has occasion sect, creed, or party. As the word politics had annex to it a list of the several town Superintendents been introduced, he would make a single remark.in his district, together with their post office address. He should feel hurt indeed, if any County Superintendent, in the course of his visits should undertake to preach or to practice party politics. It would be a gross violation of his duty. The Superintendent was paid for his services by a tax levied on the whole county, and should he become a partizan, he must wrong at least a portion of his constituents. But Col. Y. trusted there was no necessity for this word of caution. On motion of Mr. Woodin, the hour for the final adjournment of the convention was fixed at 4 o'clock. The President having left the chair, Mr. Woodin then offered a resolution of thanks to the President, Dr. King, for the able manner in which he had presided over the deliberations of the convention. SAMUEL YOUNG, Supt. Com. Schools. NOTICE TO TOWN SUPERINTENDENTS. Town Superintendents are earnestly requested to take a warm interest in extending the circulation of the Journal. For one dollar three copies will be furnished according to their direction. We put the Journal at this low rate to them, in order to secure its general reception by those officers, who, in order rightly to discharge their duties, must be familiar with the administration of the schools by the Department. The law does not require the Journal its means are not sufficient to allow us to forward it to be sent to the town officers, and we regret that at our own expense. The County Superintendents will confer a great The President returned a feeling and appropri- personal favor upon us, by calling the attention of ate reply. Mr. Randall moved a resolution of thanks to the Vice-Presidents and Secretaries; which was adopted. A resolution of thanks to the friends of education who had met with the convention, was adopted. On motion of Mr. Dwight, the thanks of the convention were tendered to the editors of the several papers of this city, who had so fully and kindly reported its proceedings. One of the resolutions on the subject of Normal Schools, not acted on this morning, was laid on the table for future action. Then the convention adjourned. the town officers to this subject. TERMS. For a single copy for one year, $0.50 12 copies to one order, for one year, each....... 0 33 100 copies to one order, for one year each,................. 0 25 Payable in advance in all cases. Postmasters will forward silver without charge. NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS. This is the last Journal that will be forwarded to those subscribers who neglect to pay for the current volume, according to its terms. The friends of the Journal will appreciate the necessity of adhering to this rule, as the amount charged is too small to enable us to employ an agent for collections. We hope our numerous DELINQUENT sub. scribers will attend to this notice. DISTRICT SCHOOL JOURNAL, VOL. IV. OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. ALBANY, AUG., 1843. OFFICIAL. STATE OF NEW-YORK-SECRETARY'S OFFICE. DEPARTMENT OF COMMON SCHOOLS. Albany, Aug. 1, 1843. In the exposition accompanying the publication of the late act relating to common schools, in the June No. of the Journal, it was suggested to the several county superintendents, whether the interests of education might not be essentially promoted, by the special consideration, on their parts respectively, in their annual reports, of some one topic connected with the subject of education, in addition to those general views and suggestions relative to the condition and prospects of the schools, which would naturally be presented in those reports. By the adoption of such a course, it was thought, that while a continued repetition of the same general topics would be avoided, a mass of valuable, well-digested and systematically arranged information, pertaining to the diversified range of educational science, might be obtained. During the late session of the State Convention of county superintendents, this suggestion was unanimously adopted by a resolution of that body; and the selection of subjects to be assigned to the several superintendents, where no particular preferences should be indicated by them, referred to the Department. In the execution of this duty, no slight embarrassment has been felt as to the most suitable disposition of the several subjects, in accordance with the peculiar scientific pursuits or literary tastes of the several superintendents; but in the absence of any express indication of preference of one subject over another, and feeling the utmost confidence in the ability, as well as the disposition of each officer to contribute the results of his experience and research upon any or all of the various topics comprised within the great field of edu cational labor, hitherto so faithfully and thoroughly tilled by their exertions, the Superintendent has submitted the following general arrangement of topics, subject to such modifica. tion as those interested may choose to suggest, or mutually to arrange on consultation with each other. The necessity of comprising the views and suggestions to be made on each of these topics into as brief a space as may be compatible with their clear development, will be obvious, when the number of subjects and the variety of inci No. 5. dental matters required to be included in the general report, is taken into consideration. With this suggestion, the limits of the discussion must be left to the sound discretion of each superin. tendent. Academies, general duties of in the preparation of teachers of common schools, Mr. Hop. kins of St. Lawrence. Alphabet, best mode of teaching, Mr. Willson of Allegany. Apparatus, use and importance of, in common schools, and the most approved articles of, Mr. Douglass of Clinton. Apportionment of school money, soundest prinAppurtenances to school-house, Mr. Hough of ciples of, Mr. Manchester of Madison. Montgomery. Arithmetic, best mode of teaching, Mr. Mayhew of Jefferson. Arithmetic, most approved and best text-book Association of teachers and friends of educain, L. H. Brown of Jefferson. tion generally, importance of, Mr. Burdick of Rensselaer. Bible, use of, in schools, Mr. Green of Wayne. Black-board, importance and use of, Mr. Wil. liams of Tioga. Book-keeping, importance of teaching element- Buffalo, particular description of schools in, Classification in schools, Mr. Spencer of Alle accurate knowledge of in elementary stu. dies, Mr. Barlow of Madison. Dissentions in school districts, influence of, on the prosperity and efficiency of the school, Mr. Stevens of Wyoming. District libraries, Henry S. Randall of Cortland. District School Journal, Mr. Wheeler of Yates. Division and subdivision of districts, Mr. Rice of Cattaraugus. Factories, importance of affording the requisite facilities for the elementary instruction of children in, Mr. Preston of Suffolk. Female education, Mr. Potter of Queens. Female teachers, Mr. Rochester of Monroe. Free schools, Mr. Parsons of Chautauque, Fuel, general principles in reference to which fuel should be provided for the use of our winter schools, J. H. Wright of Cattaraugus. Geography, best mode of teaching, Mr. Hardenbergh of Ulster. Geology, expediency of introducing study of, into the common schools, Mr. Baldwin of Warren. Government and discipline of schools, Mr. Woodin of Columbia. Grammar, best mode of teaching, and most approved text-books, Mr. Finch of Steuben. History, best mode of teaching, and most approved text-books, Mr. Fitts of Niagara. Inhabitants of school districts, duties of, with reference to the schools, Mr. Storkes of Cayuga. Intellectual culture, Mr. Smith of Saratoga. Modes of teaching, Mr. Comstock of Oneida. Normal schools, Mr. Sprague of Fulton; and Oral instruction, Mr. Clement of Dutchess. Physical education, A. Wright of Washington. Physiology, expediency of the introduction of, as a branch of common school education, Mr. Smith of Schoharie. Political economy, how far to be taught in Public opinion, influence of, in the promotion of popular education, Mr. Blauvelt of Rock land. Reading, how to be taught, Mr. Grant of Ot sego. Religious exercises in opening and closing schools, Mr. Holmes of Westchester. Rochester city, particular account of schools in, Mr. Brown of Monroe. School-houses, W. Wright of Washington. School registers and school celebrations, use and importance of, Mr. Reynolds of Orleans. Sites of school-houses, Mr. Tidd of Chemung. Spelling, best mode of teaching, Mr. Bourne of Chenango. Summer schools, Mr. Hughston of Delaware. Teachers, on the best mode of elevating the qualification of, Mr. Hopkins of Ontario. Teachers' institutes, Mr. Denman of Tompkins Text-books, diversity of, and best means of se curing uniformity of, Mr. Tallmadge of Os- Town superintendents, duties and means of use. Village schools, best mode of organizing and conducting, Mr. Cleaveland of Greene. Vocal music, Mr. Shumway of Essex. SAMUEL YOUNG, Supt. STATE CERTIFICATES OF QUALIFICATION, as teachers of common schools, under the 10th section of the late school act, were, on the 4th day of July last, granted to the following individuals: Miss ELIZABETH POPE, of Middlefield, Otsego county. Mr. GEO. W. FITCH, of Plattsburgh, Clinton county. Mr. LINUS HASKEL REYNOLDS, of Granville, Washington county. July 11-Mr. JOHN M. SHERMAN, of Roches ter. COLLECTORS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS. Oswego coENTRAL SQUARE 1843. DEAR SIR-School district No. 11, in this town (Hasting) is destitute of a collector. The collector elected at the last annual meeting in October last accepted, but gave no bail, and colthe winter's school was put into his hands and lected one or two bills. This spring the bill for bail required; this he would not do, and refused to serve. We then appointed another, and he refused to serve at any rate, bail or no. we wish to know what to do. What must we now do? Please instruct us, as Yours, &c., DAVID BAIRD, SAMUEL YOUNG, ESQ., Supt. Schs., &c. BY THE SUPERINTENDENT. By the 107th section of the school act, it is provided, that when the collector of a district shall not execute the bond required by the preceding section within a specified time, his office shall be vacated; "and the trustees may ap point any other person residing in the district as collector in his place." If the person so ap. pointed refuses to serve, another may be desig nated; and so on until some one is found who will serve. Labor, industry and virtue go hand in hand. Idleness and leisure lead to weakness, immoral. ity and vice. Down with all aristocracy-all nobility-save the nobility of true virtue and ho nest industry. Toil, either of the brain, of the heart, or the head, is the only true manhood, the only true nobility. CARDS vs. BOOKS. [We have read with interest and advantage the following letter, recommending the substitution of printed cards for books in our district schools. The plan is not new, it having been in successful operation in the Dublin National School more than twelve years since; and it will, we trust, therefore, receive a more careful consideration from those who are too ready to condemn as Quixotic, every proposed innovation on our methods of teaching. Mr. Goodrich's high character as an educator, adds great weight to the reasons urged in its behalf; and we hope that it will be fairly tested, and its results forwarded for publication.-Ed.] Canal, Onondaga co., June 14, 1842. DEAR SIR-Many just complaints have been preferred against the great diversity of text books prevailing in the district schools of this state, and against their want of adaptation to the ages and capacities of the scholars. But I think there is a greater evil, and one that demands more particularly the attention of your department, and of every school officer in the state, of which, comparatively, but little has been said. Thousands are utterly destitute, not only of proper books, but of any books at all; and this destitution is not confined to the children of the poor. In reference to a full supply of books necessary to a thorough course of instruction, probably not one-tenth are furnished. That thousands attend the places of instruction sorely divested of proper bodily covering, is of but little importance when weighed against the want of that which is ultimately to aid in sup. plying both body and soul. I have witnessed the destitution and miseries of the schools until my heart is too full to withhold my efforts, puny as they are, in their behalf. From the great number of absentees, who have been sought upon the banks of creeks, and in the public streets, during my past labors, the answer has been, "We can't go to school, we have no books." An argument too potent and well founded to be easily overthrown, I ascribe the evil in a great measure to the expensive form and want of durability of the books furnished. It should be considered, that when more is demanded for books than for all the other expenses of education, it must not only be beyond the ability of the poor to supply themselves, but a very potent objection must arise to those who possess more ample means. I am led to believe that a very simple remedy may be applied to all the evils incident to the present mode of furnishing book materials to district schools. From recent experience, I have discovered that cards may supercede the use of books in schools at less than one-fourth part of their expense, and at the same time subserve the purposes of instruction in a much more efficient manner. I shall in this, point out the superiority of cards over books as a medium of instruction, and leave it for a the subject of future communication, to show how they are to be constructed and used. To illustrate as briefly as possible the econo. my of cards, we will suppose that if, instead of fastening together some five hundred lessons, to be simultaneously worn out, we present them to the pupil singly, it will be perceived four hundred and ninety-nine of them are not subject to wear and accident, while but one is learned. And what is of greater importance in point of economy, lessons unbound may be again distrinumber requisite for any school to less than a buted to successive classes, thereby reducing the fourth of that required with books. Another principle in relation to the economy of cards, is their care and perservation by the teacher; without which he could not proceed a single day, thus properly committing the care of the books to the hands of one, instead of many. A reference to the extreme durability of this material when in the hands and pockets of the itinerating gamester, will satisfy any one of its liability to withstand the urchin at school. One prominent advantage in the use of cards, is the easy control it gives to the teacher over the rambling propensities and hasty progress of the pupil. Another is, its adaptation to the maintenance of novelty throughout the whole course of instruction, by presenting the lessons no faster than they are learned. It naturally conforms to the great maxim of "Learning one thing at a time," and conducts the learner im. perceptibly up the "Hill of Science," without daunting him with an undue contemplation of his task. It also relieves the teacher from many vexations and delays, arising from loss of places on the pages of a book. It will be seen that an adoption of the card system would at once produce uniformity in les sons, and an impartial supply to all classes, while it also adn its of the introduction of all occasional improvements. As regards its practical operation, I can speak only so far as it could be tested with written form on common paper for classes in reading, spelling and mental arithmetic. A decided preference on the part of pupils has been manifest. ed for cards, even in this form. During the expiring gratification of the present, and rising anticipation of that which was to succeed, they have uniformly accomplished the lessons with a degree of interest which it is not in the power of books to inspire. Their operation cannot, perhaps, be better pointed out than by referring the reader to the peculiar interest and effect with which his own daily or weekly periodical is sought for and perused. In addition to the several advantages arising from their better adaptation to the condition of the youthful mind, the use of cards as a medium of instruction has been found to excel books in many other respects. The following summary is all that can be referred to at this time: ADVANTAGES OF ECONOMY. By wearing out no more at a time than is in actual use. By admitting immediate distributions of the lessons of foregoing to succeeding classes, thereby lessening the number requisite to one-fourth part of that required with books. By casting the care and preservation of the lessons upon the teacher alone. Exemptions from new editions OF EFFICIENCY AND ORDER. Control given to the teacher over the rambling propensities and hasty progress of the pupil. |