Evening journal., 1888-11-26
MONDAY. NovrMBEn 90. 1858.
oeJEcT IEssoNs An scHonL.

An Intelligent writer has sal that
little child begins school with his per
-eeptiye faculties alert, but leaves school,
several years later with his power OF oh.
starvation educated out Of him. Many
older persons now can attest to the
truth Of the above statement and ever
regret their lack OF the power Of using
their eyes as was intended BY nature.
Had system OF object lessons been part
Of the school curriculum such lament
able result Of education would have been
impossible Lessons from objects form
the natural means Of developing the
mental faculties Of children. II is the
method employed by the mother in her
first instruction Of the little one. and
leads the child easily and pleasantly
along, 50 that each new acquisition Of
KNOWLEDGE Ia delightful to both child
and instructor
Besides training the observation, object
lessons cultivate both memory and
imAgination and give culture in the use
Of language The child is TO remember
what he sees in certain things by recall.
ing them to his memory, and by picturing
them in his Imagination and then tell his
knowledge in the best language possible.
By comparing sizes, lengths and weights
OF different offsets his judgment is exer
cised and he is thus trained to habits OF
quick and definite conclusion.
Under the management Of skilIful
teacher the method Of teaching BY objects
forms the best means Of imparting in
struction, aud the child learns without
conscious effort Of his own.
The habit of attention is developed and
concentration Of mind, both Of inestima.
bic benefit to him all through his life.
Many Of the elements Of botany, physi-
ology. astronomy and physics can be
taught in this way, and will prove Of
especial benefit to those who can attend
school only for brief time in early child
hood
Mr. David w. Harlan, superintendent Of
The public schools Of this city, will pre-
sent TO night to the Board Of Education
for their consideration. an outline Of les. /
sons for the first four years Of school
work with a view Of making them part Of
the school course. Object lessons are not
now included in the curriculum Of the
public schools, although they may be |
faught, and a number Of the more pro.
gressive teachers devote some time "a
this work.
Among the things needed in the pri.
mary schools to do this work properly
are models of forms. the common weights
and measures, charts of color, Of animals
and plants, and some reference
books for the use Of the
teachers The cost of all these and a
sabinet for holding specimens will be but
Alight, and the great good resulting will
more than compensate for the money
spent. Each teacher who is gealons for
her pupils advancement and earnest in
her endeaYor to teach them in the hest
manner possible will willingly take the
additional time to prepare for this work.
and u she began teaching properly
qualified for her duties. the outside
required win be but little
Mr.. Harlan thinks that an bopr
and half week will be
sufficient time 10 devote to teaching
object lessons, and shows how that time
may be obtained. The children in the
primary schools have been dismissed al
since last January. and if schools
were not dismissed until noon that wopld
give one and one fourth hours week
That could be devoted to the work and ,
AAe additional quarter Of an hour could
easily be obtained, particularly as tn
teachers generally finish the wears corrso
sRe week before the term ends M
subject deserves the earnest consideration !
g 'he members q the Board Of Educa. t
hon. t