Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-03-24

me that this is by no means true.
lover so percent of the school day
in this city is given to work in
reading, arithmetic, language,
geography, spelling and writing, and
less than 20 percent to the newer
subjects. In the schools of Menomo-
ME, under the direction of Ex-State
Superintendent, L. D. Harvey,
considerably less time is given to the
so called essentials and more to the
newer studies such as drawing,
manual training, music and gymn-
aStics. Menomonie is chosen for
comparison because Superintendent
) Harvey is recognized as safe
conservative educatOr-and the
schools of Menomonie enjoy national
reputation. We venture to assert
that the old time studies were never
so skillfully and effectively taught as
they are today. Teachers understand
better than ever before the skillfulf
teaching of the mechanics of reading
SO as to get mastery of the tools OF
reading in minium of time.
The same is true of the basic ideas in
arithmetic and geography. During
the past few years an effort has been
made TO have the pupil from the habit
of reading desirable literature so tina t
when school life is over he may con-
tlnue his own education, Lists Of
suitable books have been prepared,
pupils have been required to read a
certain number each year from the
list. The librarian Of The city library
| has given us much valuable assist
ance. By reports to the teachers a
more careful reading has been
secured. In history he comes in
contact with great historical
characters. In geography he gets the
benefit of the inspiration which
comes from fascinating tales of travel
and adventure.
In arithmetic the work is presented
SO as to connect with life-and make
it appeal vividly to the pupils
rapidity is striven for today as in the
day of our father, but we do not
forget that arithmetic is studied
mainly TO learn to think. From no
other standpoint can the amount of
time given to it be justified. In
penmanship legibility and speed are
before. In spelling expensive investl-
cations have been carried on in the
last year, tending to throw much
light on the best methods of instruct
ion. We venture to mention these
things in order that any possible
impression that the three RS are
neglected today may be dispelled.
These are and always must be the
center of the school work.
We have found in education that
important as these branches are and
ever will be there are certain other
things which must be added unto
them if our boys and girls are to get
a full, we'll rounded education. 1t
has been said that education has two
purposes, first to put in the hands of
the individual the ability to get on in
the world to make living, second, to
make life better worth living. All
studies have these two phases. When
we aid pupil to for the habit OF
reading literature, biography, history,
we have helped him to make life
better worth living, however
monotonous his daily task may be-.
Instruction in Music.
1t is largely for this reason, to
make life better worth living, that
we offer instruction in music to ali
pupils in the grades and in the high
school today. The training of eye,
ear and voice is valuable. 1T requires
no argument to prove that for the
person who is able to sing the songs
which have been the inspiration and
comfort of the world at his own
tireside and with his own family, life
is better worth living. He has with
him an uplifting force which will
tend to make him an his better
citizens.
Cost OF Instruction in Music.
The instruction in music is given to
over 1000 pupils. 1t costs about one
sixtieth of the total school expenses.
He who pays taxes on $1,000 pays
about Is cents each year, or the price
of half pound of ordinary smoking
tObaccO-to the support Of instruct
ion in music in the public schools.
The Kindergarten System.
This city now has the kindergarten
system extended so that this instruct
| ion is within the reach of all children
of kindergarten age in the city.
Certainly the children Of one part OF
the city are entitled equally to
kindergarten privilegeS-With those
of any other part.
Under the laws of Wisconsin the
school age is four years. II the
kindergartens were not in operation
all the children could demand
admittance to the primary grades.
Our first grade teachers have an
ayerage.enrollment of Al pupils. Ii
the kindergartens we're not in oper-