The Hawaiian gazette., 1911-07-21

is like other similar cries, simply a.
catch expression, and refers TO a meth
cd o., teaching and not to the teaching
of the subjects themselves. It Is to the
layman a misleading statement, and in
fers something that is not true. The
three RS are necessary part Of the
work Of any school, and more time is
given today to their teaching in the
schools Of Hawaii than ever before in
the history Of the Islands.
ADiHerence of Opinion.
The difference of opinion that pre-
walls today among the people, is, about
the method of teaching the RS and
not, as many seem to think, as to
whether they shall be taught. Nothing
can be substituted for them No time
! has been taken from the teaching Of
the fundamental RS, as has 'beeh IN
ferred, but rather, methods have been
changed and subject matter added that
contributes to their better teaching.
Judge Parsons and the Three RS.
From the, organization Of the public
school system in Hawaii, until the
adoption of the present course of study,
one, the old traditional Red School
House, method of teaching the R IS has
been followed, and in some of the
schools of the Islands is still in vogue.
What are the results of this method of
teaching the R'si
Judge Parsons in recent interview
is quoted as saying, that many of the
jurors who were called on to serve in
his court, could not qualify, as they
could not read nor write. This he at
tributed to the work done in the public
schools. This is simply, charge against
the old and established method Of
teaching the. three RS. The jurors
were Of necessity over twenty-one years
of age, and that would take them back
to a period when only the traditional
method of teaching the three RS was
in use-so the learned judges argument
is for, rather than against, the present
system of education. . - Z '''''
The Maui News and the Three RS.
A few years ago the Maui News made
the charge, that number of young
men, in a certain section of the island,
were unable to qualify as voters. This
again argues against the efficiency of
the old-fashioned treatment, as these
young could not have received the
{ benefits of our present course of study.
The Three RS Inadequate.
In 1895, large proportion of the
teachers of the public schools were us
ing the method of teaching the RS
that had been developed in schools
where the mother tongue was the
tongue of the schOolroom. This method
of work had proven to be inadequate
Experts and Course of Study.
In view of the peculiar conditions
due to our cosmopolitan population and
of the great importance OF the work
in the public schools of the Territory
not only to Hawaii alone, but to the
cause of education at large, it was de
cided in 1895 to secure the services
to assist in the study of conditions and
to advise with the educational author
tiles in the organization of the work
During the summer of 1896, Doctor
Dressler, and in 1897, Doctor Brown
formerly commissioner of education a.
Washington, lectured to the teachers IL
the summer school, and advised Will
the educational authorities concerning
the conditions existing in the schools
and their betterment. The assistance
given is described in the official re
ports as "incalcnlable.o AS a result
Of this investigation into the educa
tional conditions in Hawaii, the cours
of study was strengthened on the sid,
Of thought work.
In 1898, Colonel Parker explained
and illustrated what was meant b.
thought work in relation to the cours
of study. Mrs Parker illustrates
thought work in reading, and Miss AL
len, Of the Cook County Normal School
illustrated Thought work in the kinder
garten. In the summer school of 1896
Miss Zonia Baber of Chicago Universit.
illustrated thought work in gramma
and high school grades in geography
and Miss Flora J. Cook illustrate
thought work in the primary grades.
in 1900 DR.. John Dewey of Chicag
University lectured to the teacher
during a summer session Of the n0rmi
and Training school and advised cor
corning the working out Of the cor
tent work Of the course Of study. Ais
IN the same year, M. 0arniet, a FTene
commissioner Of education, on a tri
around the world examining the var
Gus school systems, spent some tim
while on his way 20 the Orient, wit
the minister Of public instruction, Hol
u. a. Mott.6mifh, The purpose Of n
visit Wha 10 inyesligais our method
81 sofk end 10 see Whist adaptation
haa been made ~ Tho general prine
pies ID Duf schools iie reported q
work ~ well adopted ~ she needs
anf cosmopolitan population.
The adaptation TeforFed 10 WAS a
ihe 0nflrhmepf ~ ne epune NJ eiua
~ ihe lgNeT efades ~ fFemplf, 81