The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-14

memory work." only school examples; Com
position, no time for II, and deemed OF no use
anyhow, as not shown on examination, and con-
sequently rejecting no credit upon tue teacher.
ORAL INSTRUCTION.
In all this nothing has been said OF "oral
Instruction" During the progress OF the
scholar through the several grades, he has
encountered AID Is supposed to have mas
tered the following: Eighth grade-Qualities
and uses OF familiar objects, such as articles
of clothing, food, materals OF building, &c;
also, a knowledge OF geOmetfical forms. Sew
enth grade he former continued also, AN
outline knowledge of zoology. sixth grade
1he preceding continued; also, an outline
knowledge OF botany, including the general
stru cture and common uses OF plants. Fifth
rrade-The preceding continued; also, an out
line knowledge OF mineraoRy. illustra ell by
specimens. Fourth erade-All the topics OF the
preceding grades continued and reviewed, aud,
In addition, the simple outlines OF physiology
and hygiene. Third grade-1he prece ling, with
mechanics, hydrostatics, and pneumatics. Sec.
ond grade Continuance OF the foregoing. and
with the addition OF acoustics, pyrOnOmcs,
optics, magnetism, and electricity First grade
OF the United States, the rudiments OF plane
geometry. and chemistry
OF all tubs the only studies in which text books
are used are natural philosophy In the thru
grade and plane geometry In the first. On all
the other TOPICS the teachers must contlne them
selves to lectures but 1t would be idotic to
imagine that their little pupils can remember
all the many important facts they state and oil
tho many poysyliabic wOrds they use without
notes nd home study.
The teachers. In weak self-defence, put forth
the argument that all tleir lessons are primarily
gone over IN the school room before beiuv given
out, but this practically amounts To very little.
The actual learning must be done at home.
mot more than two hours Of home study are
required for the scholars in any grade" say the
advoc ties OF the system. For them probably,
had they the lessons to learn, but they overes-
innate the power of children. 1t would tax the
ability Of many grown people to learn the les
sous prescribed Tor the pupils in the higher
gr ides Of the grammar schools, aud Keep up To
the required march a la manual.
A sMOrUURrp INVESTIGATION.
Very recently the same questions with refer
ence to simpli1cation ana remodelnR OF tue
course of study, which were raised In 1868, have
again been eotated. The Board of Education
appointed Mr.. Scott, Of the New York College,
and city Superintendent kiddle to investigate
the subject and report. They sent out requests
to the prnciDdls to furnish their views on the
subject. Some ~ the principals sent In indl
Vidual replies, but the mai GRITTY Joined IN a re-
port which Is understood To be FULLY IN symDa-
thy with the statements In this article. Mr.
Riddle. who holds the report, AYERS that II " Is
not complete" and claims tina. II must go be-
fore the board before II can he made public, SO
that report will have to be secreted to serve as
a tasis for the committees manipulation. In
what form II will come from the hands OF Mr..
kiddle-whn last fall enforced the study OF an
client history In the schools-may De feared, but
there a'e homes that common sense will compel
TIE Board Of Education to reform tue entire
existing course Of study.