Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-03-28
IN FAVOR OF MANUAL TRAINING.
Paper Read at Parents Meeting by VIM.
H..Blyton of Sparta.

When the invitation to present a pa.
per at this meeting on the subject of
manuel training in our public schools
| came to me, | was surprised, and while
under the control of some hypnotic in
| tiuence | consented to do 30. Upon in
vestigation | found the subject 30 much
more important than is generally ack-
| nowledged, / was again surprised and
nearly discouraged from undertaking
the task, and when | have finished my
paper you will doubtless wonder why
assumed the undertaking. However,
l resolved to do the best / could, and in
as much as all may have to say must
be based upon information and belief,
addressed the following letter to differ
emit schools in Wisconsin into which
manual training has been introduced
Dear Sir: ] am informed that man.
ual training has been introduced In your
schools, and seeking for information on
the subject, / take the liberty to ask
you to give your opinion on the follow
ing points.
1st. Is it practicable for public
schools in towns, cities and villages
I'd. Is IL beneficial to such schools
Sd. IL 80, in what way
4th. IL not, why not ANY other in
formation on the subject will be duly
appreciated.
The replies to this letter which have
received are brief and are strongly In
favor of manual training in the public
schools, stating that such training was
practicable, and beneficial, giving nu-
merous reasons such az these: Manual
kra Int hn In
work when academic work fails 1t
develops care, neatness, accuracy. judg-
ment and observation. 1t cultivates
respect for labor and admiration for
the trained laborer. 1t gives each child
a chance to determine his aptitudes. his
likes, dislikea and capabilities in man
nal lines.
IL will be seen that the sentiment il
strongly In favor of the Introduction Of
manual training into the schools and
from my own convictions | do not hesi-
tate to add some personal mot Officially
reasons why it may benefit both school
and pupil. Granting that it is practical
suggest that 1t is beneficial for the
following reasons. It teaches the same
lessons in accuracy that are taught by
otheT school work, with this advantage,
real A boy learns to take pride in
good job. If an example in arithmetic
is indifferently done it Is quickly erased
and forgotten. IL boy has been care
less and Indifferent in making an arti-
Gle 1t may be compared with work of
other members of his class. Ii teaches
the lesson that whatever is worth doing
is worth doing well and that care and
perseverance in doing work brings it's
own reward. 1t gives boy a chance
to know himself better than he other
wise would. Many boy has ability
in the line of mechanical work who
never comes to know the fact If his at
tention Is not directed to it, and manual
training instruction does this. 1t en-
phssizes the democratic side of public
school work. The boy whose father is
wealthy works at the same bench with
the son Of the ordinary laboring man.
1t dignihes common work, for whatever
is worth teaching in the common schools
is worthy of respect in the general esti-
nation.
1t will interest and hold in school
longer the majority Of boys. 1t will
interest the community in the public
schools to larger degree-when boy
brings home an article which he has
made himself the entire family aro usu-
ally greatly interested il this object
and in the boys school work. This may
not be the highest incentive for interest
on the part of the community, in the
public schools, but 1t is an incentive
that is effective. I desire to be under
stood as having arrived at these conclu-
sions by some reading, little cores
pondence with some the educators of
our state, and much meditation on the
subject, not by reason of any personal
experience, as my whole life has been
spent in Sparta and it Is not, or ought
not to be expected that anything origi.
nal or new on the subject can be offered
by me. Under the light of more than
twenty years experience on the board
of education in this city 1 will assume
that If manual training is to be intro
duced into our schools 1t should only be
under the best approved system have
always maintained that the best is none
too good for Sparta schools
realize that IL may be said, that II
You are to educate the hand as well as
the head why not educate the heartf
My reply would he, IL the head and
hand is properly educated the heart will
seldom go wrong.
Some of the colleges are again lack
ing up" their requirements from the
graduates Of the public schools Now
1t is about time to cal halt in this
thing SO far as the public schools are
concerned. Already the principal pur-
pose of the public school system, in
some states seems to be to fit the few
for college instead of the many for life
The bulk of children leave school at
from IA to 16 years. Only about 8 per
cent. go on to the higher education.
Therefore the public schools which are
supported by the taxes Of all the people,
should be devoted to giving the many
the BEST possible preparation for the
everyday work Of life. We believe,
thoroughly In higher education, espe.
cially along technical and scientific lines,
and it is easy enough In this country for
any ambitious young man or woman TO
obtain this higher education. Bat 1t is
not right for the public school system
to aim at the fitting for college the
per cent. who go into the universities,
instead of fitting for life the 95 per cent.
who go to work rather tnan to college.
- nraOOa Iudd Earmar