The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-03-18

these mathematical studies be intro
duced into them?
1t is well for our farmers and their
wives to know of these educational iE-
novations and changes, 40 that, if they
are introduced here, we may be ready
for them. Conservatism Is good
thing in the right place, but when ii
makes people cling to the Older aud in
ferior educational methods in prefer
ence to the newer and greatly superior
modern methods il becomes great
evil. 1t is good thing that the fads
and fancies Of the educational radicals
get winpoWed and sifted in the CITY
ideas get back among the hills of Yer
mont they are mostly reduced to the
pure wheat.
The introduction of algebra and con-
crete geometry into the common schools
is proving 10 be such good thing that
it will probably soon be knocking at the
doors for admission into the rural
schools Of the state. And whenever
this time shall come, prejudice must
not be allowed to bolt the doors and
shut out the new ideas; for, rightly
taken up and sinplified, child OF
twelve or thirteen can get great help
from them. There are two plans of
teaching them with the textbooks.
One is to give the elements of algebra
and geometry in the textbooks on
arithmetic; the other is to provide sep
arate textbooks. l am inclined to
think that the latter is the better way
but the former has the merit of being less
expensive. Southworth's Essentials
of Arithmetic" which has recently been
issued by Leach, Sewcll & Sanborn,
contains about thirty pages of algebra,
most OF it in an appendix. This is by
far the best Of the new arithmetics
which | have examined. 1t is really
an ideal work, meeting the needs OF
pupil and teacher in the most satisfac-
tory way, and giving thorough train
ing in the essentials of arithmetic. The
author has the faculty of making the
study interesting - one might almost
say, fascinating.
Another book giving both algebra and
geometry with arithmetic is Walsh's
Higher Arithmetic" published by d. G.
Heath & Co. This is book with
which l am not acquainted, but the
publishers have bound up eighty pages
of the book under the title, Algebra
and Geometry for the Grammar Grades"
and issue it in pamphlet form. The
same publishers issue a little book
Hunts Geometry for Grammar
Schools" This is on an entirely differ
ent plan from that of Walsh. In q
school where an elementary algebra is
used, Hunts book would be best; other
wise we think Walsh's would be prefer
able. For an algebra for the common
schools, Wentworth's First Steps,"
published by CHM & Company, is very
excellent work. 1t has the advantage
of being prepared by one of the best
workers in this field. Just as soon as
parents come to realize what an advan-
tage there is in the study of these
branches in the upper grammar grades
they will demand their introduction;
and perhaps the best way to impress
upon the people the value of these
studies is for progressive school direct
ors and teachers to introduce them.
When Vermont secures skilled super
intendents, the introduction of APP
proved modern methods will become
comparatively easy. In introducing
these studies, much depends upon
the teachers, and the efficiency of the
teachers can certainly be doubled by
the employment of skilled superintend-
ents. This is the next step in educa-
ional advancement for Vermont.