[Sidenote: First Grade]
(1) _Scribbling and drawing on books, sidewalks, etc._ As soon as
children can write so as to express the simplest ideas in writing, and
drawing, they begin to write and draw promiscuously in their books, on
their desks, on the pavement, on fences, on buildings and anywhere they
discover a surface upon which they can write. They frequently steal
crayon in order to satisfy their desire to write and draw. Their names
appear at odd places; in fact they have a mania for writing their names
upon all their school property. The tendency is not bad in itself, but
it often leads to bad results. Every pupil should know that his name is
his own appellation and he should regard it as sacred. It is brazen and
disrespectful to have one’s name promiscuously scattered about in
writing. But there are worse phases of this habit of writing and drawing
on anything within reach. A teacher may have been embarrassed to pass
over the pavement, along a building or by the fence and to see her name
in connection with that of some man whom the pupils believe to be her
sweetheart; she may even find the same in the pupils’ books. Still
another type and the worst one, is the writing of immoral phrases and
the drawing of obscene pictures. Often little children do not know the
full import of what they are doing.
It cannot be unpedagogical or a violation of any principle to teach
pupils not to write their names about carelessly, not to write others’
names and bad phrases or silly statements in their books, not to draw
any kind of picture in improper places, and not to deface their desks.
It has been stated so many times that direct teaching of good habits can
and must be done in all sincerity on the teacher’s part. There need not
be one harsh or unkind word said. The talk to pupils on these matters
must be given in a friendly and helpful spirit.
All parents desire that their children take good care of their school
books and accessories. Still many first grade pupils fall into the habit
of taking the poorest care of school property. Should there be pupils
who show a tendency to misuse their books by writing in them, the
teacher may tell the pupils that she is going to put the names of every
pupil on the board and then for each week that a pupil takes good care
of his books, she will put a star after that child’s name. When he gets
a certain number of stars, perhaps four, she may allow some special
privilege or it may not be amiss to give a pencil or a picture as a
reward. Little folk will exert great effort to secure a small favor.
Examples of the abuse of written expression have been used so copiously
in the elaboration of other cases that the subject is treated very
meagerly here. The following is, however, a typical case.