A BLOCKHEAD | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 17, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 50.

"A BLOCKHEAD."

FOLLOWING is a bit of experience which an Indiana teacher communicates to Dr. Krohn, of the University of Illinois:—

"Some time ago I read an article on the position of pupils in the schoolroom, which made me think very seriously of a boy in my school who was branded with 'blockhead' and other names of similar meaning. I had never thought of the effect of position on the mind, and I therefore permitted him to sit as one sits when all the muscles are relaxed, and that was his only position either in sitting or walking. I persuaded him to 'brace up,' carry his body properly, and walk as if he were really walking. Today that 'blockhead' is one of the best, where he was poorest. He is weak in arithmetic, yet he has always been so. I do not wonder any more. All of the number work for about four years was given him on the blackboard. I have discovered very lately that he can not read my writing, be it ever so plain, across the room. I believe this is another example in which the teacher should be called 'blockhead,' for the boy is really my teacher."