One Idea of the Drawing-Out Process
This consists in asking what the lawyers call leading questions. It is practised, usually, whenever the teacher desires to help along the pupil. “John,” says the teacher when conducting a recitation in long division, “John, what is the number to be divided called?” John hesitates. “Is it the dividend?” says the teacher. “Yes, sir, the dividend.” “Well, John, what is that which is left after dividing called?—The remainder, is it?” “Yes, sir.” A visitor now enters the room, and the teacher desires to show off John’s talents. “Well, John, of what denomination is the remainder?” John looks upon the floor. “Isn’t it always the same as the dividend, John?” “Very well, John,” says the teacher, soothingly, “what denomination is this dividend?” pointing to the work upon the board. “Dollars, is it not?” “Very well; now what is this remainder?” John hesitates. “Why, dollars, too, isn’t it?” says the teacher. “O, yes, sir; dollars,” says John, energetically, while the teacher complacently looks at the visitor to see if he has noticed how correctly John has answered!—Page.