Every one said, "That is how
physiography[54] should be taught. A boy must first learn all about his
home before he goes further afield." My boys were as well acquainted
with the surroundings of the town as with their own rooms at home; and
gave rapid and striking answers as to all the natural peculiarities of
the neighbourhood. This course was the fountain-head of the teaching
method which I afterwards thoroughly worked out, and which has now been
in use for many years.
In arithmetic I did not take the lower, but the middle classes; and here
also my teaching received cheering encomiums.
In drawing I also taught the middle classes. My method in this subject
was to work at the thorough comprehension and the representation of
planes and solids in outline, rising from the simplest forms to complex
combinations. I not only had the gratification of obtaining good
results, which thoroughly satisfied those who tested them, but also of
seeing my pupils work with pleasure, with ardour, and with
individuality. In the girls' school I had to teach orthography[55] in
one of the elementary classes. This lesson, ordinarily standing by
itself, disconnected with anything, I based upon correct
pronunciation.
Pages:
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127