The St. Johns herald., 1901-01-26
THE ST. JOHNS HERALD.
GEO. E. WAITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
EDITORIAL.
EDUCATIONAL
 PADS.

The departments of S1Oyd physical culture, nature and art study added to the public school course by educational experts are now being attacked by parents and some misguided members of school boards. They declare the children devote too much time to these 'fads" and leave school weak in the practical, everyday branches of learning
 While there may be abuses along this line 1t Is equally wrong and a step backward-the attempt at abolishing these refining inno- vate. Not long ago a mother remarked-"my children have no time for their studies, for they are continually drilling for some day." It is true that with the rapidly accumulating modern his tory days" are becoming too frequent. But who can question the importance of their observ- ance? Certainly a iudicious com bination or a1ternation can but be beneficial. For instance Washington's day can alternate with Lincoln day. and Bird Day with Arbor Day.
 With the new educational move nent comes a noticeable improve ment in textbooks. Readers of the T see a cat" variety are be- ing crowded out by books that teach not only new words but facts of history, geography and natural history. Recently I saw a work arranged according to months, with special reference to holidays, the lessons for Oct are about columbus. Decoration Day and Flag Day are observed with appropriate readings. In this pleasant way the children learn about early settlers the Revolutionary and Civil war he roes, the var with Spain, and many other events in American history.
 Another great boon to teachers of history is the disuse of dates in narratives. According as 1t IS taught history can be the most stupid or most fascinating study. With good canse history has hitherto been a dreaded study to the child who is bewildered in a labyrinth of wars, politics, trivial incidents names and dates.
 He is expected to remember the minutest detail, the mind Is made a mere store house and loses the power to use its acquesitions in- te11igent1y, when its aim Is rath- CT at comprehension than as re- membering and the grand, simple lines of development of a country are taught with a gradual en- 1argement of details as the child becomes older history becomes an inspiration, not a task.
 In considering Nature Study from a pedagogical stand point it's functions are two-fo1d. First the relation of the elements of our environment to human interest Second preparation for the study of science in the high school.
 Though the advocate of man ua1 training are constantly met with the objection that the schools are a1eady loaded down with work--each teacher must de- termine the boundry line accord ing to the circumstances in which he is placed. He must distin- guish between random busy work" and these occupations which impart skill to hand and brain.
 As the business of life IS the adaptation to surroundings to nature, to the universe, so the business of education Is to lead the young human being on the shortest and snrest road to this adaptation. This is possible on- ly when head and hand AER TRAINED SIMULTANEOUSLY,
 GRAcIA'L. FERNANDEz.