At the beginning of the class in United States history in the Deerfield
rural school, Miss Deaton decided she was going to do away with the
privilege which four of the pupils seemed to claim of talking all the
time.
[Sidenote: Refuse Answers]
“We have so many points to cover in the recitation today, we shall have
no time to stop for the raising of hands. I shall call on you
individually without waiting for that. Every one be ready to answer
promptly.”
Miss Deaton smiled. Her attitude was one of complete confidence. The
class responded accordingly.
Just once during the recitation did George Mills, the class “speaker,”
forget. Miss Deaton had only to raise her eyebrows to remind him that
this was not the form to be followed that day.
Laxness on the part of the teacher, even in a seemingly trifling matter,
sometimes destroys the order in a school-room for all time. To get the
best results and to make the most progress in school work, there must be
no leaks in the efficiency tank. The experience of a certain eighth
grade teacher proves this to be true.