Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-11-11
A Splendid School Idea.

splendid SCnool lQcd.
y practice in vogue in Europe, in the
last few years, is broadening and is be-
ing taken I'D to some extent in this
country. 1t is that of exchange of let
ters between school children in various
parts of q country. or between coun-
tries. We believe the idea originated
in England OF in Germany and has de-
vclopcd to an extent that not only
takes up topics of interest to school
children but the exchange OF visits
between children Of the two countries,
where they learn much of agriculture
ply and its application. Recently, the
public school children of Lincoln, Neb.,
SO the news dispatches tell us. have
started correspondence with the
school children Of Minneapolis. The
first object is to gain information re-
garding wheat, and the first batch OF
letters from the city. which receives
it's prominence principally from the
name OF Il distinguished boy orator
has been received in Minneapolis. The
superintendent of schools there will
distribute these letters among the pu-
pills, and they will be required to
| make reply.
The idea strikes us as being an eX-
lceptionally good one. In the first
place, the children who propOunded
| the questions, whether or not at the
suggestion of instructors. will be more
| interested in the replies they receive.
and will read with better understand
| ing what the Minneapolis children re-
turn in answer; and the replies will
| be formulated after securing what in
| formation the Minneapolis children
can acquire upon the subjects treated.
| There is no limit to tine possibilities
OF such an undertaking. All sorts Of
topics might be treated with greater
interest and bette understanding than
| could be acquired in almost any other
manner because of the interest Stimu
lated in the young workers by the very
fact of being in real touch with the
| children of some distant city. 1t has
| the allurenent of the postcard fad,
and each child will be overanxious to
;now what he or she is going to draw
from the next hatch of letters in an
| hos
sent out by the school.
| Over in England a SchOOlboH or
| schoolgirl goes to Germany to spend
q vacation. perhaps with the parents
Of the German schoolboy or schoolgirl
| Who is at the same time spending a
vacation with his or Der parents in
| England. In the summer just past.
parties Of English school children, in
charge of teachers, took camping
of continental Europe. They We're en-
tcrtoinel in the different places they
visited, shown the country, and in
structcd in it's manners and customs,
| Next summer, parties from the con-
ltincnt will make an exchange visit to
tie United Kingdom.
| While Americans have not set gone
50 far as this. they have made Il sp|en-
did beginning in the opening Of CORE
spontlencc between school children in
different parts of the country. II is
| something that may be taken up with
! little expense in any school from
| Northern Maine to Southern Califor
MIA. and the knowledge thus gained
viii tinG better footing in the gray
| matter # the young and be more
readily absorbed th1n that acquired
| in any other manner. Their" is no rca
| son WHY the idea should not be- extend
| ed as it haS been done III Europe
and the correspondence between tho
schools read to more intimate relations
and a very beneficial enlargement of
| the educational idea that is the basis
| Of the movement