Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-12
WHAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.

WHAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.
Those things which young people most
need to know are the things which should
be taught first and most thoroughly in the
free schools Of the people. Boards Of in
struction should give their attention to
this matter and try to get out of the ruts
worn by courses of study that have been
accepted for hundreds Of years without
question. We do not dare to assert that
Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic" should
not be first taught to the pupil and SO &C.
quired by him as to be utilized readily, but
we shall take the liberty Of adding another
branch-that of Spelling-although it
does not alliterate with the three requisites
with q big R. But after one can read,
write, cipher" and spell, and not until
this point has been reached comes the real
work Of educating. At this point the
pupil must be taught to think, to general
ize, to analyze. This, with most children,
comes naturally. The little girl cogitates
on her first doll, and if it is not well put
together, subjects it, not infrequently, to so
searching an analysis that the fact of saw
dust "inwards" is revealed. Children
wish to know, at the outset, Of what things
are made, and how they are made; that is
to say, they wish to know Of what the
things with which they have the most to
do are composed. Who ever heard of
loaf of bread, as an article Of school fur
nitureY' Is not the very suggestion alb
surd2 Perhaps not! Let teacher take
loaf of bread-of good bread, made by
somebody's mother. in her own kitchen
and exhibit it in the school room, and
ask-"Of what is this loaf madey 1t
would not take the children long to
make pretty fair analysis. Flour would
be asserted to be a constituent, and lard,
and yeast. Then a definition of -four
could be demanded, and if not given by
the pupils should be communicated to
them by the teacher. Flour is made from
wheat, but from what portions of the little
kernels2 How many grown people-pa-
rents, or even teachers-can give the
facts? Surely, one Of the most important
things for any person to know is that the
portion of gluten in grain Of wheat is the
most valuable portion, and that it is this pre-
cious gluten which makes of bread the
real staff of life-wholesome, nutritious,
We can conceive Of no
school exercise that would more interest
or benefit the pupils than one of this sort,
conducted by person of information, ex-
perience and tact. Then lard could be
described; then yeastl
Then the pupils should be taught the
qualities of the atmosphere at as early .
period as possible-and taught how to use
t. Most children need to be taught how
@ breathe properly, and if they are not
aught at school will never know. In a
phrase, we assert that chemistry and
,hysiology are vitality important public |
chool branches! And that they ought |
lot to be taught in the last year of school
tudy, but as close to the first week as pos
ible And il the great facts of those
ranches are not taught with textbooks
hey can be taught in little talks, by means
t object lessons, by way of relieving the
ressure Of the regular school routine.
Ve submit these suggestions to the in
tructors of youth. lin ell departments Of
EDUCATIONAL work. !
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