foolish questioning, aimless argument, or junketing excursions.


_What should be done on the day of enrollment_

The day that the child enrolls in class should begin his assigned work.
In the first ten minutes of the first meeting of the class, while the
teacher is collecting the enrollment cards, he should also gather some
data as to his students' previous work in history. This information will
be of considerable assistance to the teacher in letting him know what he
may reasonably expect of his new pupils. The class should not depart
without a definite assignment for the next day. Let the preparation for
the first recitation consist in answering such questions as:--

1. What is the name of the text you are to use? (Know its precise
title.)

2. What is the name, reputation, and position of the author?

3. Of what other books is he the author?

4. Read the preface of the book.

5. What do you think are the purposes of the subject you are about
to take up?

6. Give the titles and authors of other books on the same period of
history.

7. What has been your method of study in other courses of history?