The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-12
.RURALu|FEWEEkAT
SUMMER SCHOOL
Special Course at University This
Week Dealing With Rhral
Schools.
mr.. BISHOP IN CHARGE
Deputy State Superintendent Of
Nebraska and all Authority
OH the Subject.
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IIspc.iai q The rjlees- pIspatch.l

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[speciait TO The Tirnes-D ispatcli.1
CtlARLoTTESy1LLE, VA, July IL
Moro than any other educational dues-
ticn which is before theNpeoplc, and
one at which more educators in all
sections of the country are working, ~
the problem Of tho rural school So.
pressing Is the need for better and
broader policy and for more energetic
and more modern methods In the work
of the rural schools that the University
OF Virginia has arranged for It's sum
mer school, beginning July 1ath and
closing July 18th. a course of instrtic-
ton dealing with the problems of the
rural school and Of modern methods in
lettering the conditions OF rural life
This Is called the rural life week.
have been perfected for
making this a most profitable week for
all those who are in position to take
advantage of 1t.
The university has secured for this
week the services OF Deputy State SUI
lperintendent z. G. Bishop, OF Nebraska,
which has won recognition as one OF
the most progressive States in matters
pertaining to rural schools and country
life. Superintendent Bishop has been
q strong factor in building up the gem
ernl demand for better things for rural
schools and for organizing educational
forces into more effective means for
securing definite results. Mr.. Bishop
is president OF the department of rural
schools and agricultural education OF
the National Educational Assoctation.
He Will preside over the session Of
that department the week ofsJuly 18th.
He will then accompany State Super
iintendent Eggleston on n tour Of the
State, giving an address at each or the
seven State Normal Schools. The fol-
lowing week he will be at the Univer-
sity Of Virginia, and will deliver 'ec-
lures and hold round table conferences
on subjects pertaining to the better
.ment of conditions In rural schools and,
rural communities.
Doys' and Girls Clubs.
More than 90; OO0. .Nebra ska boys and
girls are members OF agricultural and
domestic science clubs. These mem
bers are boys and girls in rural. town
and city schools. They are ofsall ages.
from the lower grades to the high
schoo, graduate. There are rural
school clubs. town and city clubs, coun-.
.ty clubs and State organizations. The
members Of these clubs are engaged
in homo and school work In agricul-
ture, cooking, sewing, manual training
and literary work. School, county and
suits of the work Of the members are
shown, and programs Of interest to the
young people and patrons are given.
In the lectures given Mr.. Bishop will
tell of the plans OF organization in
conducting these clubs through the
public school system and through the
corporation OF farmers. Institutes, swo-
mems clubs and tho university extern
sion force.
Eighth Grade Examinations.
Nearly every county in the State OF
Nebraska holds annual eighth grade
promotion exercises. County exami-
nations are held. at which questions
sent out by the State department are
used. After the results arc known
appropriate promotion exercises are
held. Sometimes 1t is a rural school,
a town or city school exercise; some
times township exercises. Including all
eighth grade graduates OF a townships:
sometimes a county exercise, IN which
all the eighth grade graduates Of the
county participate. Through this en-
cement hundreds Of boys and
girls are induced to remain In school
long enough to complete the work Of
the eighth grade. and by the encour-
q Sluo hA 1Cute " aeIIeI}
high school, This has become a regu-
lar part of the established school sys-
TEN Of Nebraska. How the plan works
and how 1t has been developed and
established is one of the themes for
discussion at the rural life week.
School Gardening.
The outdoor laboratory work OF the
rural. town and city school is a move
ment which adds new chapter to
progress in the requirement. Of prac-
tical education. This work Is most
enthusiastically supported wherever 1t
has been properly introduced ana d.
rccted.s The conditions governing
school gardening are so vnrled H that
the few teSt-boo lss on tile subject fail
to provide, proper guide to the
teacher who wishes direction. Pract,-
cal plans that have worked ana I'M
theories that do not work
viii be the themes for some Of the
lectures given. III Under competent
leader, the work is highly successful
Under weak supervision, the work, be-
cause Of Its newness, 4 liable to be
q failure. The possibilities, the be-
glnnings In creating an interest to
BIO followed by successful school and