[Sidenote: Helping to Keep Good Order]
Mr. Franklin took charge of the Ellsworth grammar room and found that
his predecessor had been extremely indifferent in the matter of eating
sweetmeats and gum chewing during school hours. This knowledge came to
him by reason of the remains that he found in the teacher’s desk from
the year preceding. This disclosure led him to expect several of the
pupils’ desks to show the same state of affairs; indeed, he found
additional proofs that eating and chewing gum in the school-room were
entirely customary among the pupils. Subsequently, the first instance
which came to his notice received definite attention.
Ellison Perkins chanced to be the offending pupil. Mr. Franklin waited
until recess, called Ellison to his desk, and made some inquiry based
upon his suspicions as to the custom of the pupils and teacher during
the past year. Ellison slowly made admissions that gave the teacher
thorough knowledge of the situation.
“Now,” said Mr. Franklin, “I suppose that you and the rest of the pupils
in our room do not believe that chewing gum during the school hours is
the proper thing for well-trained pupils.”
“No, I suppose not,” said Ellison; “leastwise in some places they say
that we shouldn’t eat in school, and now and then teacher gave us a
mighty talking to, but he didn’t stop us.”
“Well,” said Mr. Franklin, “we can’t do that way this year. I want to be
sure of what you think is right about the matter, and if you are willing
to help me keep this room clean, and help the pupils to see what is
right about matters of this sort, I shall be very much obliged to you.
We can’t stand anything that interrupts our work unnecessarily. Of
course, we don’t intend to work every minute, but if we lose a few
minutes now and then for such things as gum chewing, it takes too much
time.”
“Yes, I know,” said Ellison, with more intelligence than eagerness,
since he recalled that during the morning he had himself revived the old
habit; nevertheless, Mr. Franklin aroused the conviction that he was
right. His appeal to do the right thing was successful and even though
in a somewhat frail fashion, he linked up Ellison in the plan of reform.
(6) _Eating in school._ Many a first grade child has been caught by the
teacher eating some morsel of food, a bit of candy, or an apple during
school hours. Such a practice can scarcely be called a misdemeanor. It
is only childish nature manifesting itself. Some teachers say that no
child should be punished or even reprimanded in the slightest manner for
eating something in school. The first thing a teacher should do when she
discovers a little child trying to satisfy his hunger, is to give him a
knowing smile and a negative nod of the head. He probably will put the
tempting morsel away. Should he get it again, the teacher can walk to
the offender’s desk and take the food away. Should this habit become
troublesome, the teacher may require all the pupils to leave their
eatables at a certain place in the school-room. A little tact and
patience will keep in check the tendency to eat things in school. It is
a breach of good manners; it is a childish trait and should be treated
as such. Its chief harm lies in the fact that if the act is unchecked,
other children through suggestion and imitation will soon be following
the example.