Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-08-06

l have been particularly interested in
an article under "Interesting People, in
the American Magazine for July. The
educational problem of the country is in
teresting many professors and teachers,
and many articles are appearing which
emphasize the needs OF revision in school
methods.
The tension on the nerves of pupils as
they advance from grade to grade is, in
many instances, source of anxiety to
parents and asdetriment to the best de-
velopment OF. the child.
! must ''stay.my pen" on this subject,
though do not do so for fear OF being
called old fashioned. No, let us keep up
with thstimes'', but let the light of ad-
vaneed civilization point the way to that
requirement of general education which is
not limited by ''text books, rank, exams,
and percentum".
IPthe little town OF Fairhope, in South
ern Alabama, there is a new kind OF public
school. Ii is known as the School OF Or
ganic Education. During this, its sixth
year, il numbers $50 pupils. During the
81 sA& years AnSkS hAS NO HAOAb0AiOb-r NJ
grades, no examinations, no marks either
for conduct or for lessons, no home work
and no requirements OF any kind.
The principal, founder and moving
spirit OF the school is Mrs. Marietta l..
johnson. who explains the singular pro-
gram or lack of program by stating that
she is growing boys and girls as farmer
grows corn. A farmer supplies what he
believes to- be the best conditions for
growing corn. II it does not grow, he
does not blame it, nor scold tt, nor give it
bad mark, nor call it stupid, but hastens
10 change conditions until his corn re-
ponds.
Mrs. johnson thus sets aside educational
traditions to meet the needs of the child.
For the first six years be is a member OF
what is known as the "Life Glass;.
Observation shows life to be very full.
Half or more of the school time is spent
out OF doors, gardening, making wigwsms,
playing with bees and butterflies, and
incidentally learning much Of the world
about him. In the class room there are no
desks. The chairs and tables may be set
aside in moment for dancing or games.
He counts his radishes and measures his
beans, and so begins arithmetic. Reading
is seldom begun before a child is ten years
old.
''rhe eyes of young children are in
tended to behold large Objects" says Mrs.
Johnson. early reading is hard on the
nervous system. When he does begin,
his progress is rapid. From ten TO twelve
he grows willingly and naturally into
formal study, desks and regular work.
When he is fourteen he is ready for high
school. After four years more be is gradu-
ated. No one has ever told him that he is
bright or dull. He has never heard of
promotions or of being retarded. II he
has failed in particular study, he goes
on with the children of his age. Some
times he awakens suddenly and masters
the study; sometimes ne never does.
sin any event. queries Mrs. johnson,
''what right have / to hold him back from
his fellows, and demand that be repeat
and repeat until he wearies of all study
and Is sullen and diseontentedf II he has
gotten all be can out of class, no average
or grading or keeping back, will make
him absorb more"
We have not space for the remainder OF
the article, but while it might not be
possible in many localities to conduct
sensible ideas which might be applied to
the present machine school system?
AUNT MADGE.