The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1909-10-09
ABour asruFFINo" PUPILS

III a recent issue the comment OF
tho Enid Eagle as to the very detrt
mental policy of crowding too many
studies on the child in our schools
was Used, not with The idea of stirring
up strife, but because il was timely,
correct and struck at the root of a
school evil that has led to discom-
fort physical and mental, for the av-
erage pupiI
Tue tendency Of the time is to so
crowd the pupil of our public schools
as TO break down his nervous system,
ruin the eye or make school life tor
tire That this tendency is general
and confined to no particular state
only emphasizes the need of radical
reform and strict attention.
The Leader has at various times
called attention to the fact that too
little attention is given in our educa-
lional citeles to teaching the funda-
mental studies for practical education.
II is conservative to allege that ev-
cry child In attendance In our com
mon schools Is crowded beyond reas-
on-.that the early days OF the school
room. so important to the future men
and women. are too often but weak
attempt to guide the pupils over the
elementary school course 10 studies
far from beneficial to the mind OF
other than those welI-matuled Too
many pupils are taught Latin who
can not spell or compose simple sem
tenees in English. Too many pupils
are reading Caesar who are almost
wholly ignorant of their own coun
tfy's history aud wholly deficient in
the causes OF our growth and the basis
for our present power and standing
among the worlds nations.
Because these errors are general
and also because the press dislikes
20 commence a campaign which might
be Misunderstood, the "stuffing' OF
n1nture-mind studies on the memory
OF the child when II should be laying
the foundation of practical educa.
tion was not criticized The evil Is
widespread and grows annually. The
parent. lulled because the child
makes progress. leaves the course Of
study. az rule, TO the faculty or
board Of education In control. and the
baneful results are charged to some
offrf rsaEe Dissemination OF results
pblalned are ever the product OF those
who believe IN the sys en-. with the
result that. save when some child's
eyes refuse 10 stand the strain or
some pupils health is SO shattered
longer service In that sort of school
. tfendmilI becomes impossible. the pa
rental attention Is held against some
thing that does not arouse fear Of re-
suits.
Fear OF being outdonc by a friend
and playmate Is inherent In a child
Hecausc others struggle along taking
four or five more branches Of study
than should be allowed in any school
room. the child hears without murmur
Tie tasks set and endeavors at the
expense of reserve power so much
needed IN the ht eafter 10 conuuer the
dlfficuisies confronting Il Because
tha' is true and could be known by a
iItR1tit'Ni = fFIftttNiH. ~ All tiF UItI''
reason no child should be overcrowd.
ed In the few first years It Is stu
dent In our nuhlic schools. D0gmatic
and eRoilztical assertion those who mr.
range the course Of study for the pu-
rlF know best IN 'he majority OF ces.
r. Is but a poar effo.t to teach tho
idea fhose who have not accepted edu-
rational professions know not that
bpks suifra Cor children
fhRt which advances the nnnil from
one branch ~ ann'her and nrasnrvee
the health Is hest tn hreak down
the bnav - hiring the mind more ran.
ialv to understand life's realities ana
riee quicker secoss to knnwledee IS
little short Of crime generation
rNliehteped ani physically unable Ia
enins thai eniIghtenment can hreef
naneht that Is good for hrmankind
TIE nhild with snund hoov and
~ rdueatian aennlred IN menuer
that hes b-nueht nlaaeura 70 aii in.
tafaatea IN that student. e dasiratie
i Is not e'ialnamhla. hawover. nv
riving = child tpowiadee ~ anciert
lanenages ana scientific raathemafsce
nrior t. seachips q The hislorv ~ its
native lard or before Il can subtract
fractions
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