The Saint Paul globe., 1902-04-27

! county superintendent A. NJ Dresbac1,
! OF OImsted county one of the best known
! educators in the state, believes that in
this day of 'ologies" and 'isms." some
OF the everyday elements of education
are neglected and he is going to try the
experiment in his county Of devotIng a
little attention to the good old-fas hioned
art of spelling. Outlining his plan to
| State Superintendent Olsen, Mr.. Dres-
bach said:
Day of Bad Spelling.
That this is the day and age Of bad
spelling, especially among scnool children,
is a fact too well known TO need argu-
ment Many high schools find their stu
dents so deficient in spelling tnat
spelling classes have to be form
| ed This was recently done by
the Central high school OF ST. Paul.
! Universities and colleges find their stu
| dents shamefuliy weak in spelling
Northwestern university has the distinc-
ton OF having university class in SPELL
ing.
The art of correct spelling is an i'm
portant and valuable accomplishment for
all persons. A persons educational at
tainments are almost universally esti-
mated from the way in which he spells.
The boy or girl, who, in making a writ
ten applica ton for a position, misspells
few words, is sure to be turned down.
! That something should be done to cor
Iect the evil is Self-eVident. For a long
time l have been warm friend of some
old-fa5hiOned methods in spelling. This is
because l know that the spoilers of httee
and twenty years ago can today spell all
around US" and that without half trying.
1t has been my pleasure to practice some
of these oId-fashioned methods on certain
| high school pupils with very satisfactory
results.
Therefore. I have decided to take up
the task of reviving the art of spelling
throughout OlmS+ed county In carry
ing out this plan | have asked for the
support and cooperation Of every parent
ard school patron in our county.
NV plan is as follows: Once each year
the schools of each township in my coun-
ty will hold, at their respective town
halls an old fashioned Spelling match"
The first and second best spoilers at the
contest shall. one week later, meet the
first and second best spoilers from the
various other townships in central con-
test at Rochester.
lie speiler who wins first place at the
central contest will receive a banner to
be kept in his home school during the
succeeding year. He Will also receive
a personal cash prize of ten GSl0) dollars.
The second best spelier viii receive a
prize Of FIVE ($5) dollars.
For the local contests at the town
halls, an admission fee Of cents viii
be charged, the Money received there
from to be used to pay the exL enses of
the two delegates to the central contest.
AS a basis for the work, 'tOne Thou
sand Words" little pamphlet prepared
by former Supt. Gertrude Ellis of Now
er county, will be used. Supt. Ellis no
ticed that certain words caused trouble
for teachers and pupils. She made list
of .--ese troublesome words that people
were likely to encounter most frequently
no attempt being made 10 pick unusual
words, or mere catch words. Both the
local and central contests will be confin-
ed to l. list of 1000 words This will
enable the contestants to prepare for the
contests.
The plan will be started Immediately
The local contests in the various town