p. 29 | The New Term by Ethel M. Harris

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 6, 1906

The New Term

By Ethel M. Harris

AFTER our long, pleasant summer’s vacation, how the thought of once again meeting with our pupils thrills us with a true teacher’s love, and with a desire for a better year than ever before.

Nature has painted for us this summer one of her most beautiful pictures of trees and sunshine, birds and flowers, and we can not afford to enter upon this new term without taking a good share of her sunshine and beauty into the schoolroom with us. Especially is this necessary for the growth and progress of both teachers and pupils in our primary schools. If ever there was a time when cheerfulness was indispensable it is just now when sorrow, grief, and sin are brought in such close contact with our little ones.

After the many helpful suggestions just received from our late convention, we can not but feel that this year must be made to accomplish the very best work of any year, and the success of the whole year depends largely upon the way in which we begin our schools the first day.

The little ones have been spending the past weeks in sunny fields and shady groves and by babbling brooks, growing to love Mother Nature better every day. And now as they enter the schoolroom,—some of them for the first time,—it is one of the teacher’s first duties to see that every nook and corner of the schoolroom is permeated with cheerfulness,—that everything looks cheerful, feels cheerful, and is in every way a place where only smiles and kind words are found. Perhaps some roguish boy does not want to come to school; he must be made to feel that first day that there is no place in the wide world quite as beautiful as this particular dear little schoolroom, with its freshly cut flowers, and clear, wholesome atmosphere.

These are necessary accessories, but will count as worthless unless there is a spirit of cheerful enthusiasm emanating from the teacher herself. It is the primary schools of pin-drop quietness which gives rise many times in the minds of little children, to feelings of animosity toward school life, and principally because this whole-hearted cheerfulness was either wholly lacking, or else not sufficiently whole-hearted to be realized as such by the pupil.

David sang amid trials, on his way to battle; and if a teacher feels that she has an unusually hard time before her, the best way to meet it is with singing. Many an objectionable feature has been obviated by the sweet, clear tones of children’s voices, mingling in unison with the teacher’s. So begin this cheerful term with music, with God’s free sunshine in the schoolroom and in your life, with the beauty of birds and trees and flowers all around you. Even the city school-teacher may obtain fresh country flowers at this time of year.

After the opening exercises, which should consist of a song, a Scripture reading, or perhaps a psalm, repeated responsively, and an earnest prayer in which all should join, the regular organizing of the school should be taken up. By this time, nearly every pupil will know whether he is going to like the new teacher or not, and it is part of the teacher’s work to see that she is liked.

In the work of organization, the younger grades should first be formed, the older pupils being kept busy either by examinations previously prepared, or if examinations are not necessary, in getting their report cards and books from the previous term, arranged. This work should all be done quietly and orderly, and without loss of time.

After the classes are organized, or perhaps during that work if the school is a large one, a nature study should be given during intermission, or perhaps calisthenics taught.

End the day with singing or some happy story.

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” So make this heart one of whole-hearted consecration. May our lives be filled with new desires and purposes for our youth and children,—that they may soon be able to carry the glad tidings to foreign mission lands, knowing that God will guide them in all things if they but do their work as unto him, and do it cheerfully.

ETHEL M. HARRIS.

Lake George, N. Y.