The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-04-14
A Book tor Tcachern.


cation at the George Washington Uni
versity. doughton. Mimi s Co. New
York. Boston, end Chicago.
Any teacher. experienced or movies
must rise from the reading Of this work
with broader horizon. a better pros
pective. and a higher IDEAL than can Be
gained by the reading Of probably any
other single volume on the subject.
In the first chapter the ground Is
cleared by a glance over the whole neld
which the work is to cover. The teach
er's equipment Is considered, so that
upon entering the second chapter the
readers mind Is aware Of the purpose
of the work and the aim Of the writer
Is very clearly perceptible Here It VIII
be seen, the authors starting point is
with biological bases of education. He
sees only a difference In degree between
man and the other animals. He rejects
he notion that man Is set apart from
the rest OF creation, untouched by the
laws and influences that affect the other
animals. He admits that IN powers Of
knowing and Of refined feeling man takes
first place among the animals. but. he
points out. this Is not true OF the power
Of sense. The eagle excels him in sharp
ness OF vision. and the dog has keener
sense of smell.
Natural selection, acting upon the
chance variations Of the cerebrums has
given. to man the advantage in mental
powers over the lower animal This
power is subject to limitation as well as
specialization A very interesting and
useful application Of this nmitations and
specialization OF the powers Is made
when he shows that It affects not only
the intellectual side, which every one
admits but also the aesthetic. moral. and
religious sides as well 1t Is quite as I'M
possible TO make a saint out OF child
with q scant native endowment for moral
appreciation as II is TO make an intel
lectual genius out OF a born idiot.
In the minds of a great majority the
work of the school is only to instruct.
Few realize the value Of the school in
the exercise Of another important func-
ton and service to the community,
namely, that OF selection. When any
number Of pupils drop out OF school be-
cause they cannot keep up with its de-
mands and so 70 work at some technical
trade, the school has had a hand. con-
sciously or unconsciously. in helping to
make that direction Of effort Teachers
who aid pupils TO follow certain courses
in school along lines OF aptitude and
fitness developed in the classroom also
Perform the work OF selection A prtn-
cipal who refuses to graduate a student
for reasons of mental or moral incapa-
city is also performing the work Of Sc
lection. The degrees which are conferred
by universities, acting as is their pur-
pose as a badge or a tag Of fitness by
which society will know something Of
the intellectual capacity OF the holder.
are among the highest evidences of this
work Of selection by educational institu-
tons, which is hardly less significant
than the work Of instruction which they
perform.
: The long period of human infancy TO
which Fiske was the first to give proper
explanation has important bearings upon
the higher intellectual endowments of
man and the instincts of the lower ami
mails. 1t is natures provision Of time
and Elasticity in acquiring and manipu-
iating necessary experiences. Closely
connected with this is the fact now &C.
eepted among biologists that acquired
traits are not transmitted to the or
spring. ANY changes which the individ-
pal produces in his mind Or body are
not transmissible TO his children. The |
exaggerated notions of heredity which |
are so popularity widespread are here |
in conformity with the high |
est opinions OF educators and biologists. |
Physical infirmity and disease as
proper bars to marriage have been made |
the basis of a new science known as
.'eugenics-" 1t was formulated, in 1906,
by Francis Gallon, whose followers, in
England particularly, are numerous and
active. That theory is based upon the
Of "congenital'' traits. |
The regulation of marriage by Iegisla-
ton, it is pointed out, is a task OF ex-
treme delicacy and difficulty, since the
choice in marriage is a matter in which |
feeling rather than intellect governs.
With the biological bases OF education
as point Of departure, It follows thatl
the aim Of education, clearly the most
important Of all fundamentals. should |
be complete adjustment,,,to ali of the
concerns OF modern life, and the devel- |
opment. organization, and training of |
an individuals powers so that he may
make efficient and proper use of them. |
The author insists upon the use of thel
word modern" life, as 1t is clearly
not our desire to adapt a person to pastl
life; and ne is equally insistent that the
Individual be trained to the proper usei
OF his mental powers, to include the
ethical side Of life and its obligations,
II is to this broad aim of education
hat the several principles enunciated
are made to apply.
II follows, too, that in the careful ex-
position of the relative merits Of the
content aim and the formal AIM"
the former must be chosen. Yet thel
formal training values are recognized in
any system of education, but II Is here
to the content aim IN teach
ing In this and also in the consIdera-
ton OF the social aim of education the
author, always clear and direct In his
reasoning, is, perhaps, to be seen at his
best.
OF especial interest to all teachers Is
the chapter on the school curriculum.
In broad terms while selecting mate
rial for the curriculum. the considera-
ton which determines the admission of
a subject Is the principle that whateevr
Is needed to the adjustment of the In
dividual to life must be given by thel
chool. provided it cannot be supplied
elsewhere. But very clear distinction
Is to be made between school curri-
culum and a pupils course OF study.
Just as no one eats through an entire
menu, so no pupil takes the whole cur
riculum. There Is where the selective
md discriminative functions OF the
school are to be exercised.
The book is to be recommended to all
progressive teachers who desire the last
authoritative word upon the principles Of
education as uttered by one who is in
close touch professionally with the best
thought on the subject. The work is re-
olete with quotations from the foremost
educators. and is supplied with an ex-
sellent photography that is of especial
directive value in following the subject
turther.
some Warrington writers.
Anne Warwick. author Of '.The I'm
nown Woman" published by the John
.ane Company is in private life Mrs