St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-15
SCHOOL METHODS.

Irof. JORDAN, of the Minneapolis
public schools, with the aid of a number
OF physicians, has made discovery that
ought to have been made long ago. 1t
was, i'll fact, maze many years since.
That it has not before received the at
tentioD OF those most coneerne d is not a
pleasing commentary upon the intelli
gence of our educators at large. The
professor states that physicians who
have investigated the causes of sickness
III the lower grades of the public
schools say that nine-tenthS of it comes
from stomach troubles, and that it is the
direct result of having children in school
from 7:30 in the morning until 80 in
the afternoon without giving them
chance to get anything to eat. The con-
finement also tells upon the scholars.
As result of these sestigatiouS, the
superintendent will abolish the one-ses-
sion plan in these two grades, and will
institute the old two sessions.
Ii md not need the services of physi-
clans to arrive at the conclusion noted.
Any man of common sense and a
knowledge of the rudimentary laws Of
hygiene could have discerned where the
trouble lies. But incidentally the Min
neapolis snperint endents exposition Of
these well known facts may tend to the
accomplishment of much good.
There is TOO great tendency among
our educatOrS-who, unfortunately, are
seconded by the parents of their pupils
to require too much of the children
placed in their care. A close applica-
ton to study in the very young is pro-
ductiye of many serious evils. Their
physical welfare is too much Subordi-
mated to their mental development. The
fact is lost sight Of that a healthy men-
tai organization can only be secured by
caring for and nurturing the physical
energies. The physically weak or de
formed are seldom mentally strong or
we'll balanced. 1t should be the first
care, therefore, to give to the child a
robust and vigorous physical training,
so that the brain may be developed and
strengthened, and made capable of re-
ceiVing and applying knowledge to the
best advantage.
1t has recently become the custom in
most of our large cities-and i'll many
instances the custom Is en- forced by
law-to deny admission to the schools to
children under the age of seven years,
while from that age upward to nine
the pupil is permitted to remain
| through but one school session-gen-
| orally during the forenoon. Results
| have proven the wisdom of tho Gus
tom, for the young pupils are not
only more robust in health and i,IlnV-
| ant in spirits by reason of their half
holiday. but are far more eager 30 apply
| themselves to their studies than are
those whose hours of confinement are
longer, and they make more rapid prog
reSs than children of like age ever did
| when compelled to remain within the
| school room an entire day. The primary
grades in the Boston, Philadelphia and
| Chicago schools are but kindergartens.
An object lesson is given with an apple,
or an orange, or biscuit of geometricai
! proportions, and after the Child has
learned the lesson he is permitted to
eat the object through which he has
learned it.
To those educated by the old methods.
when the ferule and the Ounce block
were the only object iessonS-the only
incentives to diligence methods
| may seem foolish. Their effectiveness,
| however, cannot be gansaid. for the
| schools where they are employed are
! turning out a class of pupils vastly SUI
| perior physically, intellectually and
morally to those where the old methods
| are i'll vogue.