TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
Some minor changes are noted at the end of the book.
How to Teach Manners
in the school-room.
By MRS. JULIA M. DEWEY,
Method and Critic Teacher in the Public Schools of Rutland, Vt.;
formerly Supt. of Schools, Hoosic Falls, N. Y.
“Who misses or who wins the prize?
Go, lose or conquer, as you can;
But if you fail, or if you rise,
Be each, pray God, a gentleman.”
—Epilogue to Dr. Birch and his Pupils.
THE A. S. BARNES COMPANY
New York and Chicago
COPYRIGHT, 1888
E. L. KELLOGG & CO.
NEW YORK
INTRODUCTION.
Importance of the definite teaching of manners. Childrenare close imitators; they will learn some kind ofmanners, and one who teaches positively or emphatically(or contrariwise) may often see a miniature of himselfin his young pupil. With this truth in mind onecan hardly attach too much importance to punctiliouspoliteness on the teacher’s part in his intercourse withpupils. But however polite a teacher may be, the informalor unconscious teaching of manners is notenough. The school-room does not afford opportunityto exemplify all the necessary practices in good manners,and there is no other way but to teach the variousrequirements of an accepted code with reference to actualexamples that may present themselves at any time inlife.
It is to be remembered that many children have noopportunity of obtaining a knowledge of good manners,either by practice or precept, except as it is afforded bythe schools. And as habits formed in childhood are themost enduring, a lack of early training in good mannerswill show itself as long as life lasts. Many other reasonsweigh in favor of the definite teaching of manners, oneof which is, if courtesy is demanded of pupils.
The underlying principles of courtesy should be inculcated,[4]that children may know it is more than anempty show.
Children need to learn the definite language courtesyemploys. This to many children is a new language,and can only be accomplished by definite teaching. Beside,if manners are considered of sufficient importanceto be counted a regular part of the school, they willattract much more importance. Accompanying this byobservance on the part of teacher, the pupil acquires avaluable knowledge.
Good manners ever prove an invaluable aid in doingaway with many of the unpleasantnesses of school-life.Courtesy of manner under all circumstances means greatself-control, and a lack of self-control in teacher orpupil is the origin of most misdemeanors in school.Asi