The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-10
What the Rhode Island Schools
Will do at Chicago.
A VERY CAREFUL PLAN MADE.
IL 10 Being Put into Execution Under
the Direction Of George A. Littieheid-
A Report From the Newport Public
Schools Exhibits VIII be Chosen.

with one Robert Lsnthal as teacher. IL
was supported by public taxation ana
was in every respect the counterpart OF
the uresent system. IL is therefore the
narticular duty OF our state TO have mt
the coming Worlds fair an exhibit Of the
Rhode Island schools. which will show
both the present efficiency OF the system
which our citizens first began, but will
show also the methods which have led 10
these splendid results.
George A. Lit lefield. who is the edu-
cltional director for Rhode Island. has
been greatly delayed in preparing Tor
the exhibit, because of the crowded con-
dition of Office work in Chicago. IL was
not until Dec 30 that IT was definitely
settled that Rhode Island was 10 have
any space allotted TO it in the Depart
ment of Liberal Arts within the scope OF
which he educational exhibit comes.
At that time Mr.. Littlefeld received
letter from Selim III. Peabody, chief OF
the department. that Rhode Island pub.
lie schools would be allotted space OF
700 feet net The space will probably be
sixteen or twenty feet deep from the
aisle and n sufficient length TO make up
the amount.
At that time, too, word was received
that the exhibit must be in the building
by April 10, and that il must be in order
by MAY l.
Short, however, as was the time Mr..
Lttleield has secured the hearty Coop
Grafton of educators throughout the
STATE and excellent work has already
been done. The rest OF it will all be
done Mnrch I or near that time. The
citit of.Prov de c N, wport, Woonsot ket,
Pawtucket and the towns OF Westerly
have already been heard from ami prob
ably most of the other towns of the State
will be represented. An idea OF the in
terest taken by the teachers and superin-
tendents in the work will be given by the
following letter from Benjamin Baker,
superlntendent of the schools at New
port.
Newport will send to the Worlds fair. from
every grade drawings. Involving construction rep
the high schsol In crayon. water coors and char
We shall make some diagrams 20 show Topula.
tion number OF children OF school age, enrolment
nS%e o seSsns soy OF the ana
showing the location OF schooi houses VIII be pre-
ings and OF soine Interiors viii be taken.
The kindergartens will send samples OF their
work, such weaving, clay-model.ing. embroid-
cry. drawing. plating and photographs OF the
sPIsns Of the several schoohouses will be for
warded and it is possible that we may exhibit the
plans and elevation OF the proposed manual train
mems OF dressmaking. sewing, cooking and me-
We shall prepare bound volumes OF onr school
reports from The eegipnnins OF tneir pndplseson sa
Sp cimens OF map drawing. paper-cutting and
10 ding pretty maps ana drawing from nature OF
plants ~ ana aps sdy w also 20 e ON
the trees be sele ted for their size beauty for
their family and historic association. Photo
graphs OF such trees may also form a part OF this
Papers relating TO the history OF education. pre-
pared BY our assistants, class In pedagogy viii be
on together w.e bpSTS OF tho ed
we shall ,end Ssr %rsn ~ 9ns
bookkeeping. spelling, PHYSIOLOGY. his
tory OF the United States. literature in the first
sGrns our High sca5o VIII sso mSe aHS an e
hbit In sciences, classics, history, mathematics,
history OF the school. BENJAMIN BAKER.
The Providence public schools will
make like exhibit. There will also be
an exhibit from the reform school of
mechanical work. The Rhode Island
school of design will send samples of
work. The normal school will partici-
pate in the state work and the agricul-
tural school Will also send in samples OF
work. Brown University will take part,
having had space of $50 feet allotted to
its special use.
The peculiar merit of the system of
questions lies in the double duty that
they do. All examination questions in
all grades of the wor< are To tie prepa red
assistance of any kind. They will thus
form not only ali example ofth skill anl
learning of the pupil but also furnish as
it were a sample of the kind Of work
taught by the teacher and each teacher 5
general "a ethods. 1t is frequently as
of a questioner from his questions as 1t is
the learning OF those questioned by the
answers.
When all these examinations have
been held throughout the state, aud the
results arranged aud tabulated, bearing
the name OF the school, the grade. the
name OF the pupil and his or her age, the
whole will be sent to Providence aud will
be placed on exhibition In the Butler Ex-
change.
For this purpose the committee has S.
cureI the large hall at the top of the
building where there will be erected
tables, partitions and other appli.
aaces for exhibiting all the work
sent in. That which Is the
most meritorious in each grade or de
partmsnt will he selected for use. The
space at Chicago being so limited, how
ever, 10 is expected that a portion OF the
work sent IN will be necessarily left
here. BY an arrangement for a change
in the exhibit il will, however, be posi-
BILE to make use of a vast deal, more than
can be shown at Que time. The exhibit
will be open for six months. and the
work Of Rhode leland schools Will be
chanRei four timts, thus allowing for
IOQr separate ulstluCJ
The specimens not on exhibition at any
one time will be carefully stored both
before and after use. IL IS also under
stood that the exhibit will he the pro-
perty Of the Worlds fair and will not be
returned 10 the state.
Before the exhibition in Butler Ex-
change is over and the selection made IL
Is hoped that diagram of the space al
lotted " i'll be received from Chicago. IL
% set Of partitions and alcoves will be
erected on such space laid out here, aud
the exhibit will be duly arranged, mum
bered and tabulated. boxed and shi pped.
They will be received there and in "A
short time put in place.
Each OF these fourteen departments
will occupy one or more alcJves or pairs
Of opposite alcoves, facing the main
aisle that runs lengthwise Of the state :
space. The rear wall OF an alcoye will
consist OF the partition ten feet high.
separating one state from another, which
with the side partitions OF the alcove will
afford wall space for charts. At the base
Of the partitions all around the alcoye
will run a counter for bound volumes.
etc, with chests OF drawers underneat { h
for the storage Of relays. the intention
being TO keep each pupils work on ex
hibition but one-fourth OF the time. A
table, wing frame, swivel case, or glas,