Evening journal., 1913-09-24

the West Chester State Normal
School, gave a concrete lesson by
means Of convincing pictures on "im-
proving the Rural School"
July o. in the afternoon and also
July !, afternoon. DIR. George W. Twit-
myer, president of the State Board of
| Education, spoke to the entire school
assembled in the oratory. the first day
ON Meaning of the Summer School"
and the second day on Our States Ed
ucational Problems
The attendance was very good dur
ing the entire session. but one ease of
absence due TO threatened injury from
continuous close application was re-
ported. The courses begun were almost
all completed. probably not more than
live having been given mp during the
summer. This proves quite conclusively
the wisdom of restricting the students
OF fc' wcourscs. Many of the students,
II not limited. would have started with
eight or nine courses. or as many as
there were class hours in the day
The students paid close attention in
classes proved their studiousncss by
knowing their lessons. by handing in
their work on time. and in every way
gave unmistakabe evidence that they
meant TO make full use of their oppor-
tuntes
The advantages of the school are
many and various. few should be
carefully pointed out First, all OF
these students-teachers will do more
inspiring and more stimulating teach
ing in their own rooms through the
year because they themselves have
been aroused and inspired
Second, these teachers will also be
more effective in their own schools
in lesson plans and methods. That is,
they will get more work done in less
time and with smaller expenditure
Of energy for themselves and their
pupils. Third, they will use the re-
sources of their particular schools
and communities to better advantage.
Their own vitalized experience Of the
summer, when the library had to be
used as well as the textbook. has
shown them that one way of seeing
and saying things does not meet the
needs of all children. School now
means, not merely committing things
to memory, but il means to give life
TO the child and to give IL more abun
dantly. Fourth. these young people
will in many cases want more school
ing. whether at summer school or ia
the regular courses at college. or in
the Delaware Women's College. Del
aware College must therefore he
ready to supply this need, or miss a
great opportunity. Fifth, the citizens
Of the State at large and the authori-
ties Of Delaware College have had a
demonstration of the wisdom and ne
cessity for this new departure, and
should now be fully persuaded Of the
advantages of Summer School.
whether to those who must teach in
the winter. or to those who wish to
prepare to begin teaching in the sum
mer not to mention the vivifcatiou
and animation which IL brings TO
those who ave aspiring to become net
ter teachers.
This summers experience points
out several needs for next year. Adj
vanced classes will be needed i'm sew
eral branches. finishing classes
should be conducted I'm several sub
jects, writing should be included.
and perhaps vocal music be taught.
Also, there should be organized and
operated i'm the public school of
Newark, as part Of the work in peda-
gOgy in the summer school. a typi-
cal. one teacher. one room rural
school with eight grades. for obser-
YatiOn by those who want help for
that kind Of work. If such a school
be put in the hands of q hrst-class
experienced rural teacher. il will cas-
ily he the most valuable pedagogical
feature OF the entire summer school
IL is also probable that there should
lat once be provision for continuation
or extension courses. or Of Saturday
courses at Delaware College or at
convenient centres throughout the
state. to satisfy the desires and needs
of those summer school students who
wish to keep on growing and study
ing even while themselves teaching.
So earnest. so sincere. so bust
ness-like has been the demeanor and
the spirit of these students. so ap-
parent has this high degree of earn
estness and sincerity been to the
general public about the summer
school. that the entire success Of
the undertaking is admitted. The
doubters and the predicters of fail
urc have been silenced and have
spoken commendation. Tho highest
and the crowning manifestation was.
however. the testimony of word and
conduct that the experience was not
lonly profitable but highly enjoyable,
adding very measurably to .he COM
pletcness OF existence. voiced most
unmlstakably in the chorus Of the
last day I'm coimng back next
year
incidentally. many Of these students