368 Junior Naturalist Monthly. 



A VISIT TO A RURAL SCHOOL 



Not long ago I spent an afternoon in a country schoolhouse in which 

 there were fifteen boys and girls. I had such a happy time there and saw 

 so many things to interest me, that I want Junior Naturahsts to know 

 something about it. 



The schoolhouse stood alone in a very attractive place. There were 

 rolling hills in front and all about were brown fields rich in late autumn 

 colors. Many splendid trees could be seen from the windows and above 

 them was a wonderful gray sky. It was a very pretty place for a school 

 building and I wondered how many of the young persons had learned to 

 love the rolling hills, the fine trees, and the gray sky. 



But it was not the outside of this school that interested me most 

 that October afternoon. It was w^hat had been done inside to make a 

 cheerful and homelike place — a -place in wdiich young hearts and minds 

 could grow. - 



In the first place, the room was clean. The children, with the help 

 and direction of a wdse teacher, took care of it. The floor was nicely 

 swept, the desks dusted. In one corner of the room was a box neatly 

 covered, on which was a sofa cushion. This made a little cosy corner in 

 which some boy or girl might sit and read. 



Then at each window was a wdiite curtain. The curtains were made 

 by the pupils and gave a clean and cheerful touch to the room. On the 

 window sills were plants, some of which had bright scarlet blossoms. 



But best of all was the library ! This consisted of a bookcase in 

 wdiich were several books, many, if not all. owned by the teacher. The 

 children had the privilege of using these books. 



The walls had been made attractive by some pictures and charts. 1 

 noticed one chart on which were pictures of birds. The teacher informed 

 me that she had in her possession several of these pictures, and when the 

 children saw a bird, they were allowed to place the picture of it on the 

 wall. I was pleased to see that the young folks had been successful in 

 seeing a number of birds although it was late in the year. 



On the desk at which I sat was a small white card on which was 

 written : "Aim high and believe yourself capable of great things." I liked 

 to read this. Do you know why? 



I was sorry when my afternoon came to an end, there was so much 

 to interest me in the little school ; and as I went away along the country 

 road, I had much to think about. In how many rural schools, I wondered, 

 liave teachers and pupils worked together to make the schoolroom cheerful 

 and homelike,, and full of happy thoughts and bright spirits? If there 

 are such, I shouUl like to hear about them. Tell Uncle John about your 

 schoolroom. 



