Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-09
Educational
Column;
GUY STANTON FORD, Editor.


One who has always been a resident
of the twin cities, does not realize the
amount and intensity of the intellectual
life in the two places in contrast with
what is usually found in places of the
same size where there is no interest in
the public schools and where there is no
library to meet the intellectual needs OF
all. There is not an inhabitant of Grand
Rapids but what should feel deeply
grateful that his life is passed in town
where there is strong educational
sentiment and a fine collection of books
free to all. How matchless, unmeasured
and unmeasurable are the influences for
good that continually stream from our
public schools and public library. Two
sights promise we'll for the vigor and
purity of life in this city in the future
One is to face high school where the
boys are in the majority to know that
the men of the future are getting the
best education the city offers. The
second sight is to visit the public library
and see all classes pouring out of its
doors hugging armfuls Of precious books.
Never fear for the city where such con-
ditions prevail.
~
With the approach of the holidays
several of the rooms have prepared
brief but entertaining programs for the
entertainment of the pupils and their
parents. 1t Is to be hoped that the
parents will enter into the joys of their
children and please them and their
children by attending the exercises.
*x*
The class in botany in the high school
begins it's work this week. There are
about twenty-five pupils taking the
study. The laboratory method in con-
nection with a text to study will occupy
this and the spring term.
-
Mrs. Raymond of the T. b. Scott
Library would be glad to give those in
terested copy of the report of the Wis
consin Free Library Commission on
travelling libraries. 1t is an excellent
little handbook well worthy reading
and preserving. Wood County and the
Witter libraries are pictured and des-
cribed.
We are pleased to note that what we
said about dictionaries has had good
effect. Several orders for dictionaries
havelbeen received and more are prom
ised. Have you made up your mind
to provide your child with one?
~
Some of the most satisfactory work
done in our schools is that in the grades
where the reading of masterpieces of
literature has been substituted for the
old reader with its choppy unsatisfactory
selections. 1t is pleasure to hear the
seventh grade reading and discussing
Evangeline or to see the interest with
which the eighth grade follow the for
tunes of Miles Standish. With a mind
stored with such masterpieces, how
much farther along these people will be
than those generations that went over
and over an old, poorly arranged and
poorly selected reader.
*x*
The English history class in the high
school is closing its study of the subject
preparatory to taking up the study of
American history after the holidays.
The class is composed largely of seniors
and the method pursued has been such
as to lead them to consult many stand
ard works outside the school text The
good equipment Of the public library
has been of great aid in this work.
~
The teachers meetings for the whole
force are to be held on the first Satur-
day of each school month from 900 to
1000 a. m. Besides this the Superin-
tendent holds regular conference with
each of the groups of teachers; high
school, grammar and primary. These
conferences come Mondays after school
and each group is met at least once a
month. The first general meeting was
held Saturday, subject: Spelling. Each
member of the force presented and dis
cussed some phase of this foundation
study in the use of English.
t.