Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-27

would be permitted to sing song and
then they would need them.
Now, the music teacher begins by
first having the children sing a song
chiefly by imitation. After several
songs have been taught, gradually the
use of notes, sharps and fats becomes
apparent and then the child will learn
them. We no longer teach words, but
sentences, the expressions Of
thoughts. Give the drill" said he,
after the child has seen the need for
the thing; then it is very different
matter"
MISS FOX OY STORIES.
- Miss Fox spoke on story values.
She told briefly OF the school with
which she was connected in New
York city. The Ethical Culture school.
an organization financed and main
tanned by the reformed Jews, those
who have given up the old Jewish
faith and adopted a simple moral
code, and OF the place the story is
given in this school which is to pre-
pare children TO become opponents OF
the new code. She lamented the fact
that in some states the bible stories
we're not allowed in the public school,
because OF their many values.
Some of the values that stories
have which Miss Fox discussed. were
bravery. kindness honesty. literary,
ethical and nature significances. She
gave. examples OF stories especially
suited for each OF these
BEGINNERS, CLASS MEETS.
] The beginners class met with Sup
erintendent Ferguson at l o'clock this
afternoon and continued it's study of
problems Of organization. Dr. Coff-
man and Miss Fox resumed their lee
lures at the usual times, the former
continuing a discussion of his subject
OF the morning.
MANY ENROLL EARLY.
Remarkable" is the way Superin-
tendent s. ]. Ferguson characterized
1t when told that the total number OF
registrations for the first day Of the
institute was nearly 300. At the close
of the afternoon lectures, exactly 2T5
had enrolled, and registration blanks
were still coming in at that time. so
that at the close of the day fully 300
had signed up.
ILLUSTRATED LECTURE.
One OF the features OF todays pro,
gram will be the illustrated lecture on
Illinois history by W. A. Meese OF Mo,
line. Mr.. Meese has devoted consid
cradle time 10 this work and has an
excellent collection Of exclusive slides
The lecture will be held in the high
school auditorium this evening. and
the public is invited TO take advantage
Of this rare treat
The second Of Mr.. Meese's lectures
will be given Thursday evening, as
previously stated.
MORALS CHANGING.
At the afternoon session yesterday
DR. Coffman, speaking on The Protec
tive Character Of the School," said
The moral obligations Of the schoo
are undergoing change Crimes once
common are scarcely known in this
day and age, but others just as de
structive and violent in their nature
> are springing up to take their place
We need 10 teach the children new
responsibilities TO meet this shifting
moral obligation.
I'VE have always looked TO the pub
lie school as a sort of panacea for al
the Ills Of society The public schoo
reflects the opinions Of the people
Manual training was introduced int,
the school as a result OF an opinion
created by some manufacturers il
New York City. Later on came domes
tic science. when womans clubs go
busy agitating 1t because there seemed
to be a letdown in the housekeepin,
of the American home. In every in
stance. every subject that is in tn,
school curriculum has been forcet
there by public opinion, and then KEEP
there because Of the development DOW
ers for mind and character that teach
ers have seen in IT, / consider thi
protective character OF the school on
, Of its greatest functions"
= LANGUAGE TEACHING.
Miss Fox took up the teaching G
language for her afternoon lecture
dwelling chiefly upon the subject ma
ter rather than upon the method of pr,
sentation
. Teachers often fail in getting sati,
. factory results in the teaching OF lar
4 guage,' she said. because they do nc
q have definitely organized plans fo
y their work for the entire year. The
have some ideas OF some OF the thing
= fhay n teach hat &,