Chapter I: Preface

Twenty Talks to Teachers is an epitome of some of the discussions used by the author in teachers’ institutes. It is not a profound book. It was not intended to be. Its object is to call the attention of young teachers to some of the every day conditions and problems which they must solve for themselves. The average term of service of teachers is little over three years, hence the great mass of teachers are young in service. A number of these have expressed themselves as being pleased with the discussions in institutes, especially so because they were plain homely talks rather than learned discussions. Perhaps these and others may appreciate them as well in the printed form.

No one is expected to agree with all that is said. If the topics are suggestive to young teachers, if the book helps them over a few of the hard places, if it sets them thinking on some topics, if the advice that is given proves sound, and if it should encourage a few to deeper study, better preparation and broader reading, it will have done well. Trusting that it may form the basis of profitable discussions in teachers’ institutes and meetings it is submitted to the great body of young teachers whose zeal, enthusiasm and optimism, has done so much in the past, is doing yet, and will continue to do so much for our schools and out of whose work must grow in the future a worthy profession of teaching.

CONTENTS

PAGE

CHAPTER I.
AM I FIT TO TEACH? 7

CHAPTER II.
SHALL TEACHING BE MY LIFE WORK? 14

CHAPTER III.
SECURING A POSITION 21

CHAPTER IV.
PASSING THE EXAMINATION 31

CHAPTER V.
PROBLEMS OF THE YOUNG TEACHER 36

CHAPTER VI.
GRADING A SCHOOL 44

CHAPTER VII.
OPENING EXERCISES 55

CHAPTER VIII.
THE SPIRIT OF THE TEACHER 63

CHAPTER IX.
THE TEACHER’S LIBRARY 70

CHAPTER X.
THE TEACHER OUTSIDE THE SCHOOLROOM 80

CHAPTER XI.
GOOD TEACHING CONDITIONS 90

CHAPTER XII.
KEEPING GOOD CONDITIONS 96

CHAPTER XIII.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD SCHOOL? 105

CHAPTER XIV.
TEN TIME KILLERS 116

CHAPTER XV.
THE VALUE OF A HIGH SCHOOL COURSE 125

CHAPTER XVI.
A TALK ABOUT SPELLING 132

CHAPTER XVII.
ARITHMETIC IN THE SCHOOL 142

CHAPTER XVIII.
TEACHING LITERATURE 153

CHAPTER XIX.
THE TEACHER’S VACATION 166

CHAPTER XX.
THE TEACHER’S VIEW OF LIFE 172