The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-06-13
CHILDREN GETTING new IDEAS
Exhibit Shows Work Done by Children
in all Grades of Schools and Awakens
New Interest in Work Along Manual
Training and Industrial Lines,
(By Mrs. Mary D. Bradford)

Ihe exhibit or hand WORK OF the
city schools at the Y. M G. A. will be
continued this evening and Saturday
afternoon and evening. 1t is urged
that all who possibly can will drop in
and see what Kenosha S schools are
doing in this line.
academic branches, as media for ed
vocational growth, is new enough
I idea in the school curriculum to war
rant an explanation of what its Ill
innate aims are to be. 1t is the pur-
pose of this exhibit to show all phases
of the hand work of the Kenosha pub
+ lie schools in such way that the pub
lie may see what its purposes is and
just how it relates itself to the AGA
demic branches.
Certain foreign countries, of which
Germany may serve as a type, have
long been at work on the problem
of what is best worth while in educa-
tion considering that so large a per-
cent of the boys and girls must begin
to earn their own living, often at ten
der ages. If, as is the case, about nine
out of ten must earn their living by
manual labor, some foundation should
be laid for such an occupation in the
public school education. If, then, a
certain part of the pupils time is to
be given over from regular school
branches to work of this nature, he
must get something as a substitute
which not only interests and pleases
him, but which is to be of permanent
value.
In our course of study, the problem
has, by no means, been solved, A
start has been made, however, which
It is hoped will help to bring about the
desired ends by paving the way for
courses which will help to prepare both
our boys and girls for vocations which
they will choose later in life.
Where such courses have been in
stalled, two results have been motto
ed. First, it gave the boy or girl di-
rect training for the vocation then
chosen or, second, it gave an insight
~ oL Id u
earlier choice than otherwise might
have been the case and correspond
ing saving of time.
A close examination of the courses
Of study as they are presented will
show that in the pursuit of them, the
pupil is constantly gaining in techni-
cal skill by applying to later construc-
ton those things while he learned to
execute in simpler form earlier in
the course. In grade work the pro-
iects are necessarily small. The mod
els are such as embody fundamental
principles and at the same time may
serve practical use in the home. The
high school pieces shown are larger and
show an application of principles.
The most advanced mechanical draw
ings shown are a product of the boys
Of the high school pursuing the indus
trial course.
In all the work displayed, especial
attention is called to the manner in
which the pupil is allowed to develop
his project. One aim might be simply
to make given article. This may
have it's value, but of far greater
value is the fact that the pupil,
through directions or drawings, is
thrown upon his own resources as to
how to execute each part. In one case
the pupil is simply aiming to copy a
given project for his own use. In the
other, he is acquiring the skill which
will make him an Independent work
man.
AS has been stated before the exhi-
bit at the Y. NJ. G. a. shows but few
models, simply outlining all work of
the course and showing q few entire
class exercises. The exhibits which
are to be held in each building next
week will show all of the work done
during the year by the various school
pupils 1t should be borne in mind
that all work exhibited is the honest
effort of the pupils under normal con-
ditions and not a display gotten up for
the occasion.