Deming graphic., 1912-04-26
COUNTY sUPERINTEND ID EN1
GRACE q. GOEBEL SPEAKS
OF LUNA COUNTY
SCHOOLS.

A round OF calls into the school,
rooms OF this county will reveal a
very great many commendable fea-
lures of our New Mexico system Of
education. One greatly conducive to
effective work is the uniformity OF
text books. The manual OF the com.
mon school course or study" out
lines the work Of the first eight years
on the basis OF one grade each school
year OF eight or nine months. The
course provides for instruction in
reading, photography, arithmetic,
grammar. penmanship, geography,
United States history. ciyics. physi-
ology and hygiene; with suggestions
for teaching nature study, elementary
agriculture, drawing, manual arts
and physical training. The satisfac-
tory completion OF this course en-
titles the pupil to enter any standard
high school OF New Mexico or any
other state.
In most OF the schools ot the
county the teachers follow the out
line so closely that it is possible for
the visitor to hear the same lesson OF
certain text presented in different
schools on the same day, due TO the
uniformity OF the text book. the in
diyiduality in arranging the daily
programs. and the almost uniform
school year OF eight or nine months.
There is one exception in the time
period which Is school " six
months duration.
Just a few remarks about the work
in the various subjects can herein be
given. In reading classes, the prep
aration is such that enables the pupil
to help himself in the topic assigned.
whether elementary or advanced.
with 4 reflex power TO master his
topics in other subjects. The short,
and varied selections in the readers
create an appetite and a desire for
wider reading which sends the pupil
90 the library.
II is interesting TO note the aary
devices in spelling \ few Ot them
are. the spelling match. where one IS
winner: the headmark, where each
will become a winner II he holds his
place in class written and diacriti-
cally marked words lists ol mis-
spelled words in preceding lessons;
a number OF self-chosen words writ
ten within a limited time These
and other devices are made so In
terestirg as TO call forth enthusiasm
from the spoilers.
In arithmetic. the teachers require
accurate reading and writing q NUM-
hers; thorough training In the tUnda-
mental principles a knowledge q
measures. volume, weights and val.
nes: correct methods OF solution and
accurate results; rapidity of work,
mental or written: correct forms -
expression
In all subjects. from the primary
through the advanced grades. whe'h-
er written or spoken. the teachers
are training the pupils in Language
requiring clearncss OF thought. ilu-
ency Of conversation. correct aud
complete expressions 40 other subj
iect in the curriculum is more i'm
portant or receives more careful AZ
tenlion.
The writing periods show .rriy-
ing for good form and the easy mus
cular motion.
The instructors are using the out
lined suggestions in Introducing se-
ography through geographical sto-
ries. pictures, drawings and iu % Few
schools are found sand tables At
tention is given 20 the physical fea-
lures Of this study and the local
county, state, nn,ioual and coa,.n.
entail geography Many Of the teach
ers who have had opportunity 20
travel are making thi, text very In.
teresting.
Because 1t narratos. the beginning
of our nation and the activities o,
our people. history Is IN attractive
text and is made intensely interest
Ing when correlated with geography.
biography, literature and ciyics. Civ.
les in our schools deals with govern
ment in home, school, town or town
ship. county and city. stat, and
United States. Physiology and hy-
giene are made very practical a
knowledge Of the human system and
regard for sanitary conditions j. IN
struction which is appreciated by
nearly every pupil
\ number OF children Of each
school will make a modest beginning
in school-gardeniug this year. Be
cause of the water supply, in some
instances the children will undertake
this enterprise at home. The seeds
will be furnished them and dlrec-
tions for cultivatiug. To further this