Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-09-07
Reform i'm Philadelphia Schools.

REVOLUTION IN THE COURSE OF STUDY.
Severa! months ago the board Of education,
change in the course of instruction In our pub
lie schools, adopted a system which makes q
thorough revolution In the plan of teaching.
in all the schools of the city on Monday last,
more than six months after the board had de-
creed that change was to be made, and this
was done that the teachers might have ample
opportunity to acquaint themselves with it,
and be the better prepared to impart instruc-
ton under its provisions. In word, the new
course of study entirely abOlisheS the cram
ming practice" and instead of loading down
the boys and girls With great bundles of books
with lessons enough to task the brain of
grown man and woman, the instruction will
very largely be confined to the school room,
where the young idea will be taught 10 reason,
and will be made familiar with subjects by
means OF objects. The great desideratum, as
how much, but how WELL" In the primary
department, where the little ones range from
six to eight or nine years, the change is re-
markable, and is to the advantage of the pu-
pills. In the first grade, the very lowest in any
schools. the scholar is taught reading by
means OF charts and the blackboa To sug-
and explained. Easy words of one syllable.
used as names of objects, actions and quail
ties, are taught. The correct pronunciatiOn of
a word is also given and printed upon the
hlackboal d. In teaching arithmetic, the lin
it in counting of objects is from twenty and
back. Then there are oral exercises in addi-
tlou Will numbers one and
two, and in no case no sum or numeral ex-
ceeds twelve. In addition, the conSt uction of
the. tables is limited to 2and 10 and 10 aud 2,
and in subtraction. to 2 from l. or 10 from II
Attention is also given to writing and draw
Ing, and in this the manner of sitting and
holding the pencil is enforced. The practice
consists In making straight lines, right curves
and left curves. In drawing, horizontal, yer.
teal and Obllque lines are made. Here the
rudlmentS OF music are taught. consisting Of
the correct lntonations in ordinary. converse
hn
body. and right management of the breath
and the vocal organs. Then follows single
pure tones, by echo or imitation; information of
the first five sounds of the scale ascending
and descending. and three or four simple note
songs within easy compass. A lesson is
given1; s each day on one of the subjects above
sons. The first is by common 'U Object,
AMI names, as square. door shape, ring-shape
cur, ed, crooked. Colored cards and other ob,
1ects are shown as red. yellow, blue. Then are
explained and exhibited the principal parts of
the human body, as the head, neck, trunk,
subsequently to be pointed out by the pupil, in
order to ascertain whether they are under
stood. It must also be borne in mind that the
offices OF these objects are explained, and the
scholar being familiarized by seeing them will
the more readily understand what they mean,
wherever they may occur in any part Of their
instruction, and SO the system gradually pro-
crosses up to the highest grade, a senior de-
partment, where language, the higher mathe-
mates, geography and history are taught
employment of greater means for the desired
end, inasmuch as the FORM composition and
uses OF bones. muscles and tendOns, the diges-
tive apparatus, circulatOry apparatus respira-
tory apparatus, the skin, the nervous system,
matter, attraction, notion mechanical pow
ers, heat, light, and the general principles Of
vibrations, and their applications in sound
are all explained. To do al this properly there
Is much to be provided, and until councils
make an appropriation ample for the purpose
the board Will be unable to furnish the schools
with the objectS.-[ Ptitd. Press.