Commend Jennie for her conscientious reports. Talk privately to Katie
and Annie about their false statements. Make them see the value of truth
in business and social life.
This may be done publicly at roll call by some such statement as this:
“Every day that Jennie makes a true report of perfect control of her
desire to whisper, she has grown stronger in character as surely as the
oak is stronger after battling with a wind storm.”
A reference to the growth of flowers would please Jennie but would not
impress the boys. Give them some such instruction as this: “Notice
carefully every thing you say during one play period. Stop to think what
would have happened if you had been untruthful every time you spoke.
When you have thought of a good reason why people should speak the truth
come and tell me what your reason is.”
Have a further check upon Clifton, one that he will respect. His is a
case of ignoring wholly the rights of others. You may say, “Clifton,
what would you do if a new boy should come to school and wish to play
ball. Then when playing he wouldn’t heed a single rule of the game.
Suppose he insisted upon striking as long as he pleased, tripped those
on his side when they ran, and never helped to get his opponents out. If
the boys were sure he knew just what to do, how would they proceed?”
Clifton will tell you that they wouldn’t let him play. “Would they like
him?” “Why?”
Take another case. Say, “Suppose a twelve-year-old boy came to school
who talked out loud continually and so spoiled the game of studying and
reciting lessons. What ought I to do?” He will doubtless suggest a
course to stop the boy’s talking. “Now supposing a boy whispers all the
time and so hinders others as well as himself from scoring a point in
their favor in arithmetic or spelling, what should be done?” “But in all
these cases it would be better to hold on to the boy, don’t you think?”
Lead him thus to see the case in its true light. If Clifton does not
weigh matters when you talk them over with him, separate him from the
mass of the pupils. This can be done without inflicting an intentional
penalty. See this method as developed in the illustration just below.