The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-10-05

A proposition TO introduce moving pic
lures as an auxiliary to the study Of
history and geography in public schools
was today taken under consideration
By Superintendent A T. Stuart.
Representatives of a large moving pic
ture manufacturer laid before Mr.. Stu
art today information concerning the
use of screen pictures in the public
schools Of New York and other cities.
The representatives were informed
that no appropriation was now available
for such an innovation. The matter
will be laid before the Board OF Edu-
cation, and if they look with favor on
the project Congress may be asked at
this session 10 make provision for NOV
ing picture exhibitions in the high
schools.
am strongly in favor OF pictorial
helps in certain Studies" said Mr.
Stuart, after the conference today. Il
understand that stereopticons are used
extensively in New York and several
machines are already in use in high
schools OF this city. I believe the pic
lures are used in New York success
fully in connection with the splendid
evening lecture cogrses given there.
These lectures and exhibitions are IN
der the supervision OF school authori-
ties"
II the pictures are introduced in
Washington schools they probably will
De used hrst in connection with en-
glneering and mining studies in the high
schools. II is also believed they would
prove helpful adjunct to the kinder
garten classes, where graphic iIlustra-
lions are already used extensively The
study Of geography and history, 1t is
believed, could also be greatly enhanced
py the use OF both stereOptiCon and
moVins films.
The use Of moving pictures in con-
nection with public schools is already
prevalent in the West, according to
Hamilton WynkOOp. who presented the
plan 10 Mr. Staurt today.
Hope To Extend Work.
A strong effort TO provide additional
instruction in manual training for chill
dren in the grade schools will be made
this year by Director J. a Chamber
lain and others interested in this de-
partment Of school work.
To do this it will be necessary TO
convince Congress that the aprropria-
ton for this branch Of school work
shall be increased. Since the depart-
ment has been working on the same
appropriation for six years and during
that time the attendance at the Nc
Kinley and Armstrong manual train
ing schools has doubled and the cost
of material has increased by almost
half. it is now almost impossible to
provide for pupils who wish to take up
this work.
Our first effort" said J. A. Cham
berlain, in charge of manual training.
today. will be to provide increased
facilities for the two high schools de-
voted especially to this work The
addition contemplated at Mckinley
will give increased facilities for equip
ment In electricity and steam work.
The classes in these branches are just
now very much crowded"
Begin With Fourth Grade.
In the grade schools the effort will be
10 widen the scope Of the manual train
ing course by beginning work in the
fourth grade instead Of in the seventh,
as is now the case.
In the fourth grade the girls work
on sewing" Mr.. Chamberlain said. land
during the time devoted to that science
the BOYS are now supposed to study.
OF course, the conditions for appIica-
ton are not good while sewing lessons
are going on. Later the girls take up
cooking. But the boys have nothing 10
correspond 70 this until they take up
carpentry. in the seventh grade"
When the matter comes before the
Board Of Education, Mr.. Chamberlain's
suggestion VIII be to start the younger
boys 10 work in basketry, such as
proved so successful I'm the school play
ground work this summer In the fifth
and sixth grades il is proposed to take
up wood carving. This can be done in
the classroom If other facilities can not
be provided.