The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1904-05-21
EDUCATIONAL BUREAU
Under Direction of KATE MARKHAM POWER.

the dozen varieties of ~violets, the deli
cate phlox, the early trillium, my
gorgeous cardinal flowers and scores
for which | am too poor a botanist to
tell their name, but which give us
each day new Joy, fresh from the
woods.
A cool, shaded corner should be set
apart for ferns, and it will amaze you
to see how many different varieties
the children will bring in-particu-
larly IL some slight reward is offered
as an incentive.
The central figure In our picture
should, of course, be the school house
itself, and there should be a lawn in
front, with lei walk from gate to
door. In case the yard must be
plowed up, surely some Of you big
boys will gladly do it and others will
prepare the soil and plant the seed.
Or, IL 1t Is better to sod the lawn, the
whole crowd make a frolic @. finding
and cutting, and afterward laying the
sod. Back of the house, a few splen.
did shade trees should stretch out
their arms. beneath which the chill
dren can find shelter from the suns
glare, while enjoying their play at re-
cess. Nothing could be finer for this
than a fine beech OF two, an elm. q
pine, just for the looks of things, o
know, and one each of the beautiful
holly, magnolia and bay. Any out
houses should be screened from view
by native vines. | recall one very
attractive yard, in which the VOC
house was completely hidden by a
wild grape vine, which, after cover
ing the roof, reached its long tendrils
up until it caught the tips Of two
near by trees and formed a perfect
bower, meath which the dear little
girls loved to make their play
houses" Isn't that a thousand times
better than struggling to get a little
pleasure on a play ground baked by
the broiling sun until nothing car
flourish on it, not even childish play?
| was told by the happy looking girl
who taught these children so much
that was not in their books, that they
had found, dug up, and planted this
vine in less than twenty minutes. AND
doubtless it will be a joy for as many,
if not more, years. In this back yard
there were plenty Of trees, but room,
also. for ball, and base and all things
else so dear to boyish hearts.
Nor will the spirit of improvement
once aroused stop here. 1t Will con
tinue until the school house itself par
takes of the better state of things.
The children, if once made to realize
that the school is theirs-that the
building in the adjoining district be-
longs to and Is cared for by the chill
dren of that neighborhoOd, will, of
their volition, assume the care of the
house. And when this happens they
will soon begin to find all OF
fault with the small room, the rough
finish, the shabby furniture, etc. And
just that is what we want-fOr when
the children clamor for better school
houses. to fit into their own beautiful
grounds. the parents, ashamed of the
condition of things, will arouse their
dormant enthusiasm and pitch in with
the little folks to beat the neighbor.
ing district "out of sight" The mo
tive may not be the highest-but good
natured rivalry has brought about ten
thousand improvements where placid
content has made one, in this world.
/ heard, not long ago, of an limo
walton that had proven Il long de-
light to the children. This was the
placing in tops and branches of trees,
of bird houses, which at once attracted
a colony of feathered homeseekers,
and was an amending joy to the chill
dren, who, led by their teacher, we're
learning all about birds and their
mode of life. If the children are al
lowed to make the houses their in.
terest will be very much greater.
Another good idea, and one that
has proven successful in my W ex
perience. is to allow each child a GER
tain space in the flower border, and
require him Tor herr to take entire
care-and to enjoy all the fruit-of
that little spot.
In many of our Northern States,
where this work has been long estab-
lished, the schols have, each fall, a
splendid flower show, with prizes, ETC.,
and these affairs attract the interest
Of all classes of people (for from all
classes are the schools built up) and
have grown to considerable social i'm
portance. Why could our children not
get to WORK at nee and have their
first flower show in the spring of next
year? | honestly believe that this
plan of improving the buildings and
grounds of our rural schools would
accomplish almost as much good for
the public school work and for the
children, as the great and liberal con
tribution of our legislature is going
to do.
l earnestly hope that this letter will
tagging interest in this
beautiful and blessed work, and en-
those who are already work
ing, as it is the intention of interested
parties to offer a series Of prizes,
within a short while, for just such
lines Of work as | have outlined here.
We desire to interest the children in
the drawing of the plans, the care,
and knowledge, of IL trees and
plants, and to encourage a feeling of
ownership in the school property. 1t
"a far cry" from the plan for
identifying a little country school
yard to the extensive and expensive
scheme of decorations which is to con-
vert our now bare and ugly capital
grounds into gardens of beauty, but
why may it not be that the talent
which finds birth in just this work
will some day attain such eminence
--.--L 4IAt