Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-09-18
BRArrLEBoRo, FRIDAY, SEPT. ls, 1908
MuddIine School Methods.


a childs mind by the attempt which
modern methods make to teach ad-
yanced studies along with the ordinary
elementary branches is well illustrated
by the following juvenile treatise on
anatomy which the Philadelphia In
uuirer says is the result of the recent
Introduction of that study into the
public schools The essay was read by
a boy at a recent examination:
1.-The human body consists of the
head thorax, abdomen and legs. The
head contains the brains in case there
are any. The thorax contains the heart
and lungs, also the liver and lights.
The abdomen contains the bowels of
which there are five-a, e, i, o, u, and
sometimes w and y. The legs extend
from the abdomen to the floor, and
have hinges at the top and middle to
enable fellow to sit when standing or
to stand when sitting"
Experience and common sense both
teach that facts and phrases like these
have no place in the tender, budding
mind of a child A few first principles
of the language of his country and of
mathematics and simple outline of
geography and history, with an accom-
paniment of faithful practise in writing
and spelling, should be thoroughly
mastered before other complicated or
bewildering thoughts are thrust upon
him. These first principles are the
foundation upon which all useful and
practical education rests and without
them there can be nothing but sham
and pretense. But with these firmly
fixed in the mind any person of normal
mentality may pick up" an education
outside the schools.
1t is, therefore, of the greatest i'm |
portance that these basic principles be |
taught, and taught thoroughly in our
public schools. We make the mistake
of trying to do too much; and in order
time, the numerous branches that are
now considered imperative, we are
obliged to hurry them, to their detri-
ment. during the first years of their
school life which should be devoted to
slow, careful, foundation laying. In
short, we try to begin on the roof of our
house while yet laying the cellar walls.
Is it any wonder that such houses are
shaky, uncertain affairs-or in other
words, that the graduates Of our schools
are unfit for business usefulness be-
cause they can neither write, spell,
construct sentences or cipher" cor
rectly? 1
The intent of the American people ,
educational matters is the /
best in the world. They want the best. .
They have adopted new methods added I
new lines of study and provided new I
and improved facilities for educational {
work with the greatest liberality. Per- s
haps they have been too generous to be /
Just to the children. If it is shown that S
they are giving their children more {
mental food than can be assimilated
lust as sometimes they allow them to
overload their stomachs, they will {
surely decide to curtail and simplify C
heir educational methods. =
Let us have our children in the prim- C
Try and intermediate schools taught il
,nly a few first principles slowly, as b
heir minds are able to grasp the full v
meaning and significance of the lesson. a
Then they will have a sure foundation L
or future usefulness and may build at Il
will at maturity, as their ambitions and n
Intellectual gifts may inspire them. W