The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-26
principles of Herbsrt, the German pro-
fessor OF Pedagogy.

The fundamental ideas of the Herpsrt-
fan scheme of education ure: Appercep-
tion, the Doctrine Of Interest, the Core
lslion OF Subjects. the Culture Epochs,
Memory by Association.
/. The idea of apperception or assimila-
tion is that sll new thoughts must be
presented 10 connection with correspond
ing OF Kindred OLD thoughts so that each
new step in the cbila's mental training
Is based on a foundation already laid.
Take for example supposed lesson on
Ruesia. 1t might be introduced by APP
pesling to the icea which the ohlld has
already scquirsd relative TO climate as
effected hy lsti.ude, elevation, and wind
currents; from that previous knowl-
e-ge togei II with what can be gained
by consulting the map lie may draw his
own inference as to the climate of Russia.
That would ia turn suggest the nature of
the country's pro- uc,s. and maps show
ing the location Of mountains and rivers
would pruvids the next idea as TO the COM
mercial centers for marketing those pro-
ducts. The knowledge of the climate
anu its resulting SHOWS would suggest
sledging as an important factor in trans
portaiiop. md also that transportation in
winter would be cheaper and eesior than
at other seasons, since 1t could be carried
on by the same Ia borers who work In the
fields during the summer. Furthermore,
the dwelling OF the people in villsges
scattered over the country ia such way
that air winter and summer work may
be best accomplished, suggests the man.
ner i'm which the population is distrib-
uted.
Tho chilS thinks for himself and adds
one conclusion after another, while tie
process may be traced back TO the fouu-
dation thought which hec been acquired
before ths presentation Of the new lesson.
1.-The doctrine of interest or delight
10 that a chid should be led TO study be-
cause OF bis interest in mental &C ivity.
1t insists upon O state Of mind delig ghting
IN the acquisition OF knowledge for the
sake Of knowledge, rather than for the
marks or honors OF the so-called merit
system. Promotion at the end OF the
term is OF course necessary to preserve
the system Il grades, but. according Ia
the doctrine Of interest IL Is an incident
IN the scnool life and not an end in it.
self. IL the teacher wishes TO present I
new idea he must first recall some ilfor
nation already possessed by the child AZ
o oasis and then the pupil considers with
interest and curio.ity the new though,
which may be reaGily 6ssimilaied and
combined with ths old. Anything which
lesas a cbiid TO guess CT be in doubt II
bad teaching and mental puzzles shvulC
not be tolerated IN the school room.
IIl.--Sutjscts should te correlated o.
grouped in such q way that they may b'
mutually helpful and preserve a unity fo
each year of the echool work. For In
stance, the reading work should CORE
spond to that In History ard geography
In the providence schools there Ia suppls
neotary reaoiDg for this purpose. Durinl
the vesr wnen history and geography or
b,iag studied tie compositions should b
cd kiudred subj scts, aud the pupils thu
enshlei to accomplish doubls result bl
st,ngle effort - whereas a composition o'
VIRGIL would he useful only es struEgl
to w,ite. In spelling the same rule mold
good. The ehild Is taught to spell tn
words thst appear In the text OF hi