The record-union., 1896-11-24

thoroughly and much more deeply than
he had intended.
Professor Earl Barnes made a few
remarks IN reference to the report OF the
committee, saying that he did not agree
with it, and wished Professor Pond to
read it to the institute before he dis
cussed it.
THE COMMITTEES REPORT.
Professor Pond said the report was
quite a misunderstanding affair, but
was not so. If examined, It would be
found that the committee suggested
that the subjects be thought over. It
was decided to report in nearly the
same language as was done last year
for reasons that would appear. If the
teachers will get down to work and
they would find that the result would
be far-reaching and beneficial. He
then read the report commenting upon
it as he read.
The committee appointed by the joint
action of B. F. Howard, County Super
lntendent of Schools, and o. w. Erie
wine, City Superintendent OF Schools, to
open in this institute the discussion Of
the questions submitted to the teach
ers Of the State OF California by the
committee on the Course OF Study for
Elementary Schools Of the California
Council of Education beg leave to report
as follows:
8. We believe that the Sacramento
County Institute Of one year ago was
correct In its answer to the question,
What proportion Of the time In each
grade should be devoted to each Of the
four groups of studies: % Language
Qncluding reading, writing, language
lessons and grammar); ca Mathematics
INCLUDING number work, arithmetic,
geometry and algebra); 90 History On
Guiding literature and history proper;
az Natural Science Qncluding observa-
t1on lessons, nature study and geog-
raphy). The time allotted to the several
subjects in the different grades Is as fol-
lows:
First year-Language So per cent,
history 3. mathematics 5, natural sci
ence 5.
second year-Language so per cent,
history 20. mathematics Is. natural SCI
ence Is.
Third year-Language 30 per cent,
history 10, mathematics 25, natural sci
ence 10.
Fourth and fifth years-Language 80
natural science 10.
sixth and seventh years-Language
~ per cent. history Is, mathematics
20, natural science 90
Eighth and ninth years-Languaee IS
per cent, history 20. mathematics 26,
natural science 20
3. The question, How far and In what
ways should the work Of the several
grades be determined by the prevailing
tastes and aptttudes Of children COM
monty found In those grades, calls for
most careful and thoughtful constdera-
ton! The following seems to express
the opinions Of the committee In this
matter:
The prevailing tastes and ATTITUDES of
children should be considered in all the
grades.
In the kindergarten stage of educa-
ton the child's enjoyment of play Is SO
utilized that culture follows its en-
ployment.
In the primary and grammar schools
the aim should be to encourage mental
exercise until the child takes pleasure
in the work assigned.
In the high school the pupil has
reached such a period Of DEVELOPMENT
that his tastes lead him to look forward
to the end Of his studies-that Is. to his
life work Hence there should be sew
eraI courses OF study, running collat-
orally through the years of instruction,
each being of such a sort as will develop
Inc mental powers SO as best to accom-
plish the life work intended. The same
holds true to even a greater extent in
college work.
Z. AS to how fer and in what WAYS the
work OF the several grades should he
determined by the need Of preparation
Ior NE IN human society, the committee
ieel bowed down by the weight OF re-
sponslpiiity resting upon them in their
attempt TO make their heads and hearts
work In unison in coming to q harrno-
NOUS conclusion as to what is sensible
ana right in this matter: nor are thew
aple TO give proper expression Of what
tney do believe should be advanced
lhey feel that this question cannot he
answered once for all; It Is a Question
.! enormous magnitude, of unfathom-
able depth. 1t deserves all the consid-
eration OF the best minds In educational
thought for years to come. With a ful1
appreciation of the inability Of the COM
.hletee TO do for this subject thar which
- deserves, we beg leave to submit the
following: VIC
Iouching, as this question doas tho
uhlnklng and spiritual part of man, eno-
oraclng the virtues of humanity and
the immortality of the soul. we cannot
rest satisfied with materialist,c teaob.
ing alone. Non-sectarian teaching rem
oers II difficult for the teacher tn in
cuicate religious maxims; we ara left
70 awaken the soul by svmnatbetic
training. Dormant sympathy NAV be
| aroused by the recital of a simple d.
nestic occurrence; and acute sorrow
lear or pleasure may be excited in ar
cora with the theme. Desiring TO de-
Veiop the best natural instincts. to re-
press viclousness. to subdue WILLINGNESS
ana oostinacy, the teacher Individual
ICES each pupils characteristics Aim
ing 10 awaken the mind to an apnrecta-
tion OF beauty in nature and ART. and tn
beget the refinement which is tbe 60
lace and delight of sDcietv tho +aoaho,