The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-05
THE SCHOOLS OF GERMANY.
An Interesting Paper by Miss Amalie
Nix.

n
In the spring of 1896 Miss Amalie
Nix, at that time teacher of the eighth
grade in the Madison school. and at
present teacher of German in the Cen
trail high school, was attracted by the
pedagogical fame of Jena to spend
several months Of study there. She
entered the seminar at that institution
in May, continued seminary work in
pedagogy until the summer course be-
gan completed that, did some more
work in the fall, and, after two weeks
trip in observation Of the German COM
mon school system, reached home in
November, an enthusiastic Herbartian.
She met a hospitable reception for her
new enthusiasm and advanced ideas
from Gen. George S. Smith, principal
of the Madison school, and was &C
corded perfect freedom to make use Of
all she had gained from her study and
observation.
She thus writes con amore Of her
experience in the Old World:
Thousands Of Americans have for the past
twenty years entered German universities
for the purpose of seeking knowledge which
they cannot obtain in their own country.
Germany has been made a subject Of study
by American teachers. They all agree that
the present high standard Of morality and
intelligence of the German nation has its
origin in the careful training of the child.
Whether on American. English or German
soil. child-nature displays a striking resem-
blance everywhere. The duty of moulding
the character. of developing and cultivating
those qualities in children which will make
them noble men and women-worthy citizens
is left to the mother, the father, and, lat
home justly deserves being called the pre-
paratory department Of the primary school.
The feeling Of reverence shown here for
parents. sisters and brothers-the sweet spirit
Of submission to all parental authority-is
particularly impressive and noticeable to the
observing stranger, while the sunny ex-
pressions on the children's faces prove that
they are happy to obey and to recognize law
in their own home. From these relations
necessarily follow the beautiful ties of af-
lection that bind together the different mem
bers Of a family forever.
Among the schools of Germany those of
Thuringia and Saxony most deserve our at
tention. The teacher who is favored with
Eisenbach. Altenburg. Weimar, Leipzig and
Dresden finds that he has been rewarded
by gaining considerable knowledge through
benefited in his psychological researches;
that he is inspired by the new educational
thought.
Weimar the classical city of Germany,
has a kindergarten where the little children
are instructed in large garden containing
numerous flower BEDS among which they
study and play themselves the choicest of
until year ago, conducted by one of
Froebel's former pupils, Fraulein Schellhorn.
The elevating influence of an environment
quite percepuble, though their young minds
have hardly passed the state Of infancy. AL
though full Of the vigor and enthusiasm
show an intellectual ability which is. in
deed, surprising to the observer, who has
an opportunity Of studying both psychological
and sociological problem here.
For the past twelve years the eyes Of the
educational world have been turned to Jena,
the German center Of pedagogical progress.
where, century ago, Schiller and Fichte
university, where Goethe exerted his infu-
ence, and where w. Won Humboldt was closely
associated with his scientific friends. What
an inspiration the monuments Of learning
which these great men have left in jena has
been to later generations, Is proved by the
fact that the university stands alone in Ger
many in having connected with 1t pedagogi-
cal seminary and practice school (Uebungs-
schule) both of which are conducted by that
noted pedagogical genius, Prof. DR.. Rein, who
holds the chair of pedagogy in the university
as one of Herbart's and ziller's most enthusi-
astic followers. Prof. de Garmo, president of
Swarthmore college, says of him: CDR. Rein
has made the pedagogical seminary at Jena
the most noted of it's kind in Europe to which
students resort from every civilized country.
His specific contribution to the Herbartian
cause lies not so much in the FORMULATION
OF new ideas, as in the practical application of
the important one that remained mostly I'M
tried. ZillerS opponents were inclined to re-
gard him as pedagogical sentimen talist, who
would sacrifice any number of rich educa-
tional inheritances for poor mess of peda-
gogical pottage. Few teachers thought that
his plan of concentration, with its scheme of
culture epochs, and its subordination of the
greater part Of the subjects Of study to Bibli-
cal and profane history would stand the test
of actual practice. 1t was the unrivalIed
work Of DR.. Rein, aided by two of his COL
leagues. in the normal school, to show in the
eight volumes, corresponding to the eight
years year in the common schools. just how
Liller's plan for the selection and concentra-
ton OF studies could be carried out in prac-
tee, revealing at the same time in the most
elaborate detail the methodical treatment of
These eight volumes are a monument of pa
tient labor, such as only Germans are capa-
BILE of executing
According to the historic genetic principle
involved in the Herbartian system. history
forms the basis Of the plan Of instruction.
the center from which the other studies d.
massive trunk: The results obtained in the
HerDart1an schools are worthy Of admira-
ton. the high degree of intelligence which
characterizes the pupils is especially not.cea-
bic in their power of reasoning which is in
a great measure due to this system of shor-
ough, mehtodical teaching. It is gratifying
to the observing teacher. to see that the
moral sentiments occupies a conspicuous
place In the correlation Of studies ethical
instruction being brought into every recta-.
ton. The number of excursions, by means
OF which the child is brought into lose
contact with the "Book of nature during
the spring, summer and autumn months, as
science lessons. are also very helpful Since
almost every spot Of Germany bears traces
OF the history of past ages. the pupils flnd
sources of knowledge never to be exhausted
The advantages the children of Jena, Wei
mar and Eisenach alone have for STUDYING
history. geography and literature cannot be
over estimated.
Although the Herbartian system, with is
thought. is not employed in all the schools
Of Germany, yet everywhere a high degree
Of efficiency is attained by the pupils
thorough knowledge of every subject includ
ed in their course of study. They are
studious class Of children, who carry with
them into the school room the feeling of
respect taught them in their homes
The courses offered by the university and
school Of pedagogy at Jena to teachers. who
have acquired a thorough knowledge Of ;hs
German language. can be heartiIv re,a,,a :