Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-12-23
TIE Addition of Physiology
and Hygiene Lmpradicable
. in Common School Course.

For years, at each recurring session OF
the Georgia legislature, have unsuccessful
attempts been made to add to the present
curriculum Of the public schools one OF
two extra studies.
We do not impugn the motives OF the
authors of such measures. We doubt not
they meant well; but we would Suggest
that before such measures are introduced
and insisted upon the true condition OF al
fairs should be investigated and the prsc-
ticability Of the step be thoroughly con-
sidered. An impartial investigation, pros
ecuted under the light of an intelligent
acquaintance with the true state Of things
and leading up to even a partial knowl-
edge of the real needs of our common
school system, would, under no circum-
stances, we think, fail to reveal the i'm
practicability of making any additions to
the existing course of study without first
making such changes In the system as
will suit the new conditions. It is at least
charitable to assume that all such meas
ures are usually introduced by parties
who really desire to help the cause, but
for want of information relating to the
working details of the system their eff
forts are nothing more than products Of
misdirected zeal.
Such additions as have from time to
time been urged, had they been enacted,
would not have affected the city schools.
These schools are so well supplied with
instructors that no teacher has more than
one or two grades to handle. An additional
study or so would require but little more
time and energy. In other words, the time
of the city teacher is not so much occu-
pied but that an additional study can be
easily introduced without upsetting the
good work of the school.
Not so with the country teacher. HIS
time is already crowded to the injury OF
Let's look into this matter a little and
while we investigate lend US your atten-
ton, and we will attempt to reveal some
things that vitality concern you and your
children.
While, Of course, the numerical size OF
the school plays its part in determining
the amount of work to be done by the
teacher, it is not as important factor as
the number of grades. A school with fifty
pupils and only four grades can receive
just twice the amount of daily class in
struction' from one teacher as "a school
with thirty pupils but eight grades. Now
If class instruction and class lrills are
worth anything. and no one can say nay
then it is very important that the number
of grades to be allotted each teacher be
limited. In the country schools with only
one teacher this thing is utterly ignored,
and teachers with from six to eight grades
are allowed to plod, along day after day
doing nothing more than simply hearing
lessons recited. and yet good work is ex-
pected of them
Good work. good results, are just as
impossible here as would be In the case
of corn crop or a cotton crop half
worked or of a mercantile or banking
business half attended to. No teacher,
however learned and well prepared, can
do himself or his pupils justice in such
a school. And yet they are annually en-
Ill In oh al
to accomplish as much as If conditions
were entirely different. And the worst
of 1t as, under the present system there
is no remedy.
oh. when Shall the school officials Of the
land be brought to appreciate the damage
that is being wrought by such methoos
and a change demanded in the systemT
A bill introduced during the past session
and passed, perhaps, by both branches OF
the legislature, proposes to add physiolo-
CIV and hygiene to the common school
course. which must be taught with refer
ence to the effects OF alcohol and nico-
tine upon the human system. This Is an
important study and should be taught In
the schools. We can understand now
much good can be accomplished by allot-
ing Il a place in the curriculum and be-
slowing upon II proper attention. we see,
too. how much good might pc accom-
plished in adding nature study, oookkeep-
ing. first principles In pnllosophy, manual
training and such like to the course OF
study if they could receive the necessary
attention.
1t is not a question Of fitness touching
the character OF the subject as TO wnetn-
or II should be added to the present
course of study or not, but one OF prac-
ticability. It matters not what may be
the nature of the study, how important
ard desirable as a text book. 1t should
never be added to the curriculum until
place is made for it. until such changes
are made in the system as will make Its
use. practicable. The present course OF
study consists of autobiography, reading,
writing, arithmetic, geography, grammar,
and history. These are the seven bran