The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-30
THE SCHOOL EXHIBIT.

The material, on exhibition in the Board
of Trade rooms, of the public schools of
| the city Of Wichita represents the regular
work of the pupils in their respective
| rooms.
| Not more than three weeks ago the
teachers of the various schools of the city
were notified that the board of education
wished to have an exhibit of the work done
| by the pupils in music, penmanship and
| drawing.
| The music papers on exhibition are the
result of an examination in that branch,
| the object being, not only to know the
pupils knowledge, but their ability to
read and write music well.
| The exhibit in penmansbip shows the
work of the pupil from the first grade to
the last in the grades below the High
school. There are specimens there by pu-
| pills who entered school for the first time
last September, which would do great
credit to pupils who have had long and
| continued practice. When it is taken into
| consideration that some of the children did
| not even know the Roman letters, it is
simply wonderful that they should have
made such rapid strides in the
matter of penmanship and photography.
1t is also noticed that there is a gradual
improvement in beauty and style in all
grades up to the grammar school where
the element of rapidity is introduced.
These specimens are worthy of minute
and careful examination by all who are
interested in the education of their child
rem. The thing that will strike the visitor
most forcibly is the uniformity in the
formation and style of the penmanship.
The specimens in drawing that are on
exhibition, represents three kinds. First
-object-drawing which leads to sketching
from nature and TO the apid picturing of
objects which may be met with in the
| everyday walks of life. The second kind
is representative drawing which leads to
carpentry. mechanics, civil engineering,
architecture and knowledge of all geomet-
rical and mathematical forms. The last
is designing. This part of drawing teaches
the pupil to use his powers of observation
the selection of things from nature,
and using them in picture forms. This
leads to industries in manufacturing es-
adjustments, oil cloths, carpets, calicos,
book covers, wall paper, etc.
1t must be remembered that this subject
has been taught but one year in the public
schools and any one who examines the
work closely cannot help but be surprised
that the children Should accomplish SO
much in one year. Some visitors have
thought that some OF the specimens on ex-
hibition were copies, but the fact is there
is not copy among all the specimens.
Particular attention is called to the
work of the pupils of the Normal school
which may be found in the southwest part
of the hall. The clay work or modelling of
the primary grade will afford the observer
an endless amount of amusement There
are models of dogs, cats, pigs, horses, cat
tie, houses, boxes, chimneys and, in fact,
everything that child sees in everyday
life can be seen in clay form on the table
in the east part of the room.
Special attention should also be given by
the visitor to the specimens in botany by
the Junior class of the High school, under
the instruction of Miss Effie Graham.
The specimens show that the instruction
has been in accord with the latest methods
of teaching this difficult but interesting
subject.