Bryan morning eagle and pilot. (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1909, 1909-02-28
LITERATURE IN THE SCHOOLS
Supt. Lawson Writes ENTERTAINMENT
on This and Other Subjects.

| oupt. Lawson writes Enterta mi nQly
on This and Other Subjects.
To the Patrons:-
1t is my purpose to cultivate a
taste for good literature in the
| schools.
A course of the best works of the
best writers was placed in all the
grades last year, and will continue
to be used.
Children should be given the en-
joyment of such a course in the lower
grades, and it was matter of sur
prise TO me to find that il had been
overlooked so long in the Bryan
schools.
Among leading educators, ,lere is
no difference of opinion on t-ls sub
ject.
Not only did place this subject in
our regular course Oh study, but /
put it in the list of subjects for our
City Institute, that clear and con-
else method of the presentation might
be gone over with the teachers.
The opinions of such thinkers as
Chubb and DeGarmo were carefully
considered in order that teachers
might give their pupils as much
pleasure and profit as possible.
The high school morning openings,
in the new auditorium on Tuesdays.
Wednesdays, and Thursdays, are lit
erary treats. They are lead by Prof.
Kinnard, and are in hf rmony with the
idea OF literary enjoyment which | am
trying to make general in the schools.
The teachers in the various grades
are doing the same thing, and the
pupils are beginning to realize that
medals and prizes are false educa-
tional ideas. In keeping with this
idea of literary appreciation, was the
recent Longfellow Entertainment Civ
en- by Miss Ada Board and her sixth
grade pupils. Everything said and
represented had a direct bearing on
the idea of literary appreciation.
Miss Board carried out the idea
beautifully and successfully. All grader
above the fifth were present, and
quite a number of the good ople of
Bryan were there 10 show their inter-
est in the progress of the pupils.
In this connection, ] may also state
that wrong use Of memory retards
our work N placing the schools on a.
higher plane.
Memory has its proper place, and
il should be used properly. The dam
age comes not in use of memory, but
in its abuse. The old medieval idea
was to substitute memory for other
faculties. That idea substituted au-
fna Ill,
and prizes at the ned of the line. Ex- .
were memory tests. China !
has that system yet, hence the back
wardness of China. Just as China !
has failed to measure up with strong |
nations, so will your child fail TO /
measure up with other pupils in high |
er grades, if he is taught TO use YER
pal memory where he ought TO think I
dearly
! am moved TO make these remarks
because examination is approaching, Il
md 1t will not consist of memory n
ests where thinking s necessary. II H
S not SO much WHAT they do, as Il
HOW they do it. That is why ! urge
he duty of subjects, reasoning, and
he constant Application Of the know
ition and Imagination.
Just here, want to say, that much
ome study by children, too often re-
ults in memorizing things they do
lot understand, and too much help
o much carrying them that they do
ot learn to stand alone.
This leaves out of consideration the
dditional fact that growing children
eed rest and relaxation, and that par
hts and teachers should not move ex-
essive demands on them.
I want to add, that | would not
itch young colt to a heavy log-wag- |
n, nor young child to heavy school |
'ork. In either case arrested devel-
pment results somewhere along the
ne, and, in either case, load or team |
i'll almost invariably be left behind II
In bringing about these changes
hich | consider to be for the best
terests of the schools, am trying to
axe myself felt, rather than seen.
| am trying to be TO every teacher
courteous and considerate director,
ther than an exacting taskmaster
he teachers are responding nobly,
Id the schools are improving.
In the further improvement of the
hools, and curing ailments due in
large measure to causes which Ill
We mentioned, l ask the cordial as
stance of the people of Bryan.
Respectfully,
w. c. LAWSON.