The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1908-11-14
Manual Training
For Schools.
A Timely Topic Of More Than Pass
Ing Interest to Every Teacher
.- and Parent in the Com
munity.

Since the recent visitation of Hon.
w. H. French into this vicinity, and
since his delivery of an eloquent and
learned address on the subject Of ed
ueation, there has been more than q
passing notice given to the various
points brought out by him at that time
in connection with the topic of Manual
Training in the Public Schools.
For some time there has been keen
desire on the part of those interested in
the schools of our community, and es-
pecially the teachers, to see manual
training and domestic science started
in the Baraga county schools, but the
added expense has ever stood in the
way, but in conversation with Mr..
French at the time of his visit here he
informed us that through medium Of
prominent Chicago firm, this enor-
nous expense which heretofore was
necessary for the maintenance of such
course has been materially reduced,
30 that now almost the poorest school
districts may be enabled to install an
outfit. 1t is known as the Beardsley
system and is obtained at an expense
of one-tenth of the usual cost of such
courses.
The system above mentioned is the
same that is being used in many of the
bests schools, where expense is not the
handicap.
1t is not the aim of those who desire
to introduce this work into the schools
to ever hope to develop specialists any
more than it is the function of the
common school to develop lawyers or
physicians, but it is their desire to help
the student to find out what he or she
is or is not fitted for and aids very ma
terially in laying the foundation for a
general education.
The system of today starts in the sew
enth and eighth grades as rule, and
the schools which employ such systems
as the one above mentioned, do not
need the services of special teachers as
the course of construction, tools and
raw material for the study are all fur
nished.
A course in manual training gives a
systematic study of the theory and use
of common tools, the nature of common
materials, elementary and typical pro-
cesses of construction, and the execu-
ton and reading of working drawings.
Some have endeavored to extend the
meaning Of manual training to cover
every educational feature in which the
hand is used and all materials which
can be brought into the school room,
but this servility to mere etymology is
unnecessary and unwise. The system
attic study of tools, processes and ma
terials is the essential feature of man.
ual training.
In all ages men have recognized the
value of skill in the use of tools and the
process of construction. The mythical
Vulcan, the Jewish Tubal Cain, Archi-
medes of Syracuse, and the Miltonian
Mimon are familiar examples to the
student of today. In every land men
have advocated the learning of trade
for livelihood or for culture. The
greatest invention of the ages has been
the generation, transmission and utili-
zation of mechanical power and along
with it has come the invention and use
of tools.
Manual training and domestic science,
appealing to the eye and hand, estab-
lished aco-ordination between the sens
ory and the motor parts of the brain,
which is most important step in the
thorough organization of the brain.
The proper knitting together is most
vital to its health and efficiency. 1t
makes perfect sanity and mental
health, for well-balanced adjustment of
life to environment, for good judgment,
for self control, and for frmness and
poise of character.
Much of our present school work di-
vorces knowing from doing and often
exaggerates the relative value of the
former as compared with the latter.
Educational tool work is found in all
lands Australia, japan, China, South
America and the West Indies, and why
should we stand aside, with all and ev-
cry opportunity to secure these adj
vantages, and not make some effort to
see that manual training and domestic
science are given slight opportunity
to gain foothold in the schools of our
county and especially our home. The
thought is one which should appeal
strongly to every parent and taxpayer.
The Lrdy Maccabees announce their
intention Of giving grand New Years