An Excerpt from the Writings of Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown
The Correct Thing to Do, to Say, to Wear
by Charlotte Hawkins Brown (1941)
Chapter IV: AT SCHOOL (Download the entire chapter in PDF)
How empty learning, how vain is art, but as it mends the life
and guides the heart. YOUNG
Every school has a definite set of regulations which its students
are required to follow in order to maintain discipline and assure
the smooth running of the schedule. Persons with varying degrees
of power are charged with seeing that the regulations are kept.
Aside from this, however, there is a standard decorum that the
student himself should foster in order to express himself to the
best advantage, and exhibit the right attitude toward the other
fellow. The cultivation of traits of honor, thoughtfulness, politeness,
honesty, order, and proper appreciation of values is just as much
a part of education as is the storing up in one's mind of a vast
accumulation of historic, mathematical, and scientific facts.
The Classroom
- Always greet the teacher when meeting for the first time,
whether it be morning or not.
- Be sure that you have everything you need--text, paper,
pen, etc. Don't be a carpenter without tools.
- When called on to recite, always make some sort of reply.
Don't sit dumbly in the seat and say nothing. Don't even think
too long. Valuable minutes are wasted thus.
- When standing or sitting, hold yourself erect. Don't slouch.
Talk clearly and sufficiently loud for everyone in the room to
hear.
- Don't make a habit of laughing at the mistakes of others.
This often hinders a person from doing his best.
- Don't deface property. Writing on or cutting into desks
or chairs, writing and drawing in books, breaking the backs, or
turning down the corners of pages of texts are evidences of poor
training.
- Make it your business to keep the room in order. Straighten
the shades, keep the floor and desks free of waste paper, and erase
the boards when they need it.
- Don't Cheat. You will never learn by "copying"
from your neighbor or from the book.
- Do not argue with or contradict the teacher in class. If you
think that she has made a mistake, wait until the hour is over
and discuss it with her quietly at the desk.
- Do not yell out the answers to questions; wait until you are
called upon. The teacher will let you know when concert recitation
is desired.
- Don't mistake the classroom for a lunchroom or a bedroom.
A reprint of Dr. Brown's book The Correct Thing To Do, To Say, To Wear is now available from the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Memorial Museum .Order your copy today!
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