Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-26

DR.. Lilienthal submitted the following |
communication, which was referred to the |
Committee on Course of Study;
ITO the Honorable Board of Trustees Of the
Common Schools of Cincinnati:
GEETLEMEN-I beg leave to submit to the
consideration of your honorable body the
following suggestions:
"The annual report of our Superintendent
of Schools, as we'll as the experience of our
Principals, both intermediate and District
clearly prove that our pupils do not attain
that proficiency in the art of composition
which the importance of the study demands.
The reasons for their deficiency are various,
but apparent among them we enumerate the
following:
81. Exercises in the proper use of the En-
glish language are not so frequent as to ac-
custom the pupils to correct use OF their
vernacular tongue.
90 In the District Schools the subject of
composition is entirely neglected, until the
pupils are advanced to the highest class and
| in the intermediate, where more attention is
paid to this study, the pupils do not write
| twenty or twenty four compositions during
their two years course--a number entirely
inadequate to accomplish the desired result
80 If the number of compositions written
was much greater still, the result would not
be attained for the want of systematic train
ing and the necessary preparation.
"0ur course of study is limited to few
subjects, and no means are afforded the pupils
of obtaining a knowledge of those common
things which could furnish them with the
stock of ideas.
"They are instructed in the elementary
rudiments of Geography, Arithmetic, Gram
mar and National History, but in every other
respect their minds are Vdbuld UGsGi A
village boy, whose attendance at school is
limited to few months each year, acquires
from his fathers farm, from the workshops
of his native village, and his daily intercourse
with men and things, larger stock Of ideas
than his city-cousin, who has stores of book
learning; hence it is, that he is able to write
a better composition. This same deficiency
was long felt in Europe, but it is now rem
, | edied by the inauguration of a system de-
vised by the most learned pedagogues, an(
: which has been formed to produce the hap
, | piest results. The following are the princt
!, pal features of this plan: AS soon as pupil
enter the schools, they are required to observ
those objects by which they are surrounded
after having enumerated all objects of a givel
| kind or class, the teacher, by means of
| conversation, explains their uses, the process
: of their manufacture, and such other inform
, alton about them ss may be in his power
By this method, the perceptive faculties q
! the pupils are developed, large amount 9
q practical information inculCated, and tn
i pupils taught to express their childish idea
in clear and correct manner. Spasmodi
attempts have been made in our own school
f to pursue this or a similar system, whic
i attempts have been abandoned by q seaso
e of trial. Such system, vigorously pursued
3. supplies the child with abundant food fo
IT thought, which is constantly developin
10 ideas, so that by the time it reaches thos
5. classes in which the study of composition
5, Systematically pursued, the child is furnishe
If with rich and varied stock of origins
ideas which has facility in expression.
"a study like this must not be left to tn
l. discretion of the teachers who may or ma
d not appreciate its Importance; who may
N may not be able of himself to impart Il
Is necessary instruction. In Europe some
ID the most eminent pedagogues have prepare
lg text books on this subject which assist Il
a teachers in giving such instruction as
n herein indicated. These books are adoptt
ne in almost every common school in Europ
g. I, therefore, beg leave to suggest and recon
ne mend 10 your honorable body:
st al. That a similar course of study be Il
troduced into our Common Schools, impair
ing knowledge of practical utility, and
70, the same time exercising the pupils in Il
q mother tongue.
" 80, That a textbook on this subject
ne adopted by the Board, or if none can
m found suitable to the wants of our pupi
le; then the Board shall direct that one shall
nd translated or compiled.
"3. That the subject contained in this P
ne per shall be referred to the Committee
ry Course of Study and Text books, to be +
re ported upon in four weeks"
le. After the transaction of some other uniI
N. portant business the Board adjourned.