The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-03-21
Rl]anwa0 amd 0mdWSGPfa0 Educ
@at6Om boo the [PUlbO6@ S@LhOODSo
ADDRESS BY SUPERINTENDENT l.. d. HOWELL
Published by Request of the Chamber of Commerce.

another for the children of the rich.
Though all our pupils may not work with
their hands for n living, manual training
affords a valuable mental discipline that
can he attained in no other way.
NO LONGER A DOUBTFUL CUES
TON.
If there were even a doubt whether
it is practicable and advisable to teach
these subjects in the common schools, to
little children, that Doubt has been re-
moved by experience. Thousands of boys
and girls in the best schools in America
are being taught every day to use scis-
sors, and needle, pencil, brush, knife and
saw.
THE EXPERIENCE OF DURHAM.
An example of what such a course
means in public school is shown in
the neighboring town OF Durham. This
is the third year that this department
has been in existence in those schools.
1t is a logical graded course extending
from the first grade to the tenth and last.
1t was q success from the start, and the
Durham people now regard it, and Justly,
as the most valuable feature of their
schools. At the same time their schools
have been improved in every other de-
partment, though nothing has helped to
popularize the schools of Durham as
manual training. For now every man
sees that his children are receiving at
school an education that both elevates
and 'broadens, and at the same time is
worth dollars and cents to its possessor
Durham is the only town in North Car
olina having such course, and Dur.
ham is the town that last year enrolled
the largest per cent of its school popu-
lation in the public schools. The people
knew good thing when they see it, and
they will patronize a school that it paws
them to patroniZe
TESTIMONY OF THE SUPERIN-
TENDENT OF THE DURHAM
SCHOOLS.
After two years experience the super
intendent of the Durham schools said
in his annual report. May, 1896:
No branch in the school curriculum
will help more than drawing to train the
powers of observation, and lead the hand
to skillful execution. 1t cannot fail to
lead the children to observe in detail, and
to respect, and appreciate that skill of
hand, shown in the representation of
form by drawing"
HOW MANUAL TRAINING EDU-
Gates CHARACTER.
schools" continues Superintendent Toms,
Il have seen the boy whose every faeul-
ty was active. How accurately he places
his marks; how carefully he holds his
square in contact with the wood, and
draws the lines with his pencil: what
pains he takes to cut exactly to the
mark. From the making of the drawing
onward through the whole operation he
must exercise reason, patience, accura-
cy, and discrimination. Such training
forms a habit OF accuracy that tends to
make the child more accurate in every
thing he says and does. 1t improves the
language of pupils. Science and math-
ematics profit from a better understand
ing, of forms, material, and process. 1t
aids every department of school work"
MANUAL EDUCATION BEGUN IN
THE RALEIGH SCHOOLS.
The greatest need of the Raleigh schools
now Us just such department In this
i express tn opinion also of the school
committee, and rational course of man
now he taught in our schools, if the con-
drtions permitted it. The teachers also
are eager to have the different branches
of this department and teach them, and
we are even now introducing this sub
ject into our schools. Fifteen of our
faculty, including all the primary teach
ers and some others, have already taken
course in clay modelling under the kind
ergarten teacher at the Blind Institu-
tion, and modelling clay has been ordered
and this subject will be Immediately
taught in all our primary rooms. These
teachers intend for the rest of this term
to study drawing for the purpose of be-
coming able to teach that to their pupils.
Several of the colored teachers are Civ
ing lessons in sewing at regular times
during the week, and despite unfayorable
conditions some good results are being
attained.
But though we have teachers Of such
commendable enterprise, we cannot ex-
pect satisfactory results in manual and
industrial education without a special
teacher to supervise the work as well as
to give instruction.
COST OF AN EQUIPMENT FOR
RALEIGH.
From information kindly given me by
Superintendent Toms, of Durham, / cal
culate that a good equipment for manual
instruction can be introduced into our
schools for $500. This would include
drawing paper, pencils, colored paper,
scissors, clay laodels for drawing, trays
and knives, &c, for wood carving and
wood for material to work upon.
A special teacher could be secured for
six or seven hu ldred dollars year
ENDORSEMENT AND AID FROM
DIR. CURRY.
DR.. J. l.. M. Curry has written me,
expressing his pleasure at the interest
shown by the Raleigh Chamber of Com
merce in manual training in the public
schools, and promising to aid the enter
prise with some of the educational funds
in his charge, if we shall undertake to
teach this our schools.
SOAID SUBSTANTIAL GOOD Elk
PECTED.
1t is encouraging that body composed
of men of affairs like this chamber of