Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1912-08-27

newed, tables and desks vanished
and everything put in proper order.
Preparation of play ground has
been in progress for some time, but
the weather and the impossibility of
getting men and teams have delayed
the work, greatly to the disappoint-
ment of those having it in charge.
Grading and rolling are now done and
surfacing with decayed granite will
begin at once. Two hundred loads
will be required. When properly
spread and rolled it should make an
excellent field for recreation. The
walks on the grounds of the public
library will give an idea of the sur
face of the playground when COM
pleted. The dimensions Of the play
ground are 130x25O feet or about three
quarters of an acre.
Section 555a. 3, school laws of Wis
consin: 1.-THE county training school
board of each and every county train
ing school for teachers now or here
after to be organized in this state
shall require course of instruction
In games and playground management
to be taught in every county training
school, The same law in more ex-
acting form applies to all state nor
NAL schools.
There are those who maintain that
this is another fad of the faction rul-
ing at Madison and engaged in an alb
surd attempt to make the world over
again. Some say it is shining ex-
ample of ''progressiyeism.p Others
assert that it is piece Of extrava-
gance and folly. Many think it folly
to try to teach children to play, be-
cause play is natural to childhood and
it is difficult to keep them from play
ing. Elderly people say they did not
need TO be taught in school TO risy,
and that children do not need il now.
Whatever opinion one may have, it is
the law ard must be oheyed. EAtta-
rience will reveal its wisdom or fouy.
Anyone at all familiar witlline out
door activities of the Average COM
mon school will concede that thele is
nothing in them that may fairly be
called play. There is some de,ultory
running, pushing, polling jumping,
striking, ''hollering," but no real
play. 1t affords little exercise for
anyone anc none for many. 1t does
not relieve the lassiuude of the school
room and affords vigor for the next
session. II gives no practice in CO.
operation team work, nor does it
teach order and obedience. Obedi-
ence to the rules of the game is les
son in obedience to the laws of the
state. Cheating in the game is the
beginning of dishonesty in business
and in the state. Games rightly man.
aged give effective lessons in atten-
ton, order, promptness, decision, &C
ton obedience, courtesy and regard
for the rights of others. Dominant
or sluggish minds may be awakened
and quickened by the give and take
of the game, and the sluggard body
may be trained to quicken response
to the active mind. Thus pupils
thought stupid may become alert and
able to Keep pace with their class
mates.
From San Institute Course in Play y
discussing the spirit and aims in the
conduct OF play, under the topic,
''The Social Opportunity" the author
says: 'sThe director has the real boy
and girl to deal with. They are form
ing habits of honesty or cheating, fair
or foul play, generosity or selfshness,
politeness or rudiness, determination
or yascillaClon, in all their activities.
He has a thousand opportunities to
direct habit every day. The children
will learn their spirit and method of
play largely from him. He is sowing
his personality broadcast and should
be careful of the type"
The play ground on the training
school grounds in this city is well
under way and will be completed by
the time school opens, September Sd.
The work is under the supervision of
Prof. o. K. Wells.
COUNTY AGRICULTURAL. SCHOOL.
The county agricultural school will
open the first week i'm October. The
following teachers have been engaged
and will have charge of their respec-
tive departments:
Principal. 4. KadonslSy.
Domestic: Science Department
Miss Alice Brown.
Manual Training Departmental
Roy Schaefer.
ANNUAL PICNIC.
Tho apnuol r,t.nio IF fL,o Tr,;uo,