The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-03-06
MORE ABOUT HOME STUDY
Editor Register:

EullOT Register:
In writing the article OF recent date
relative to Home Study / had no inten'
ton whatever to bring about any con
troversy or the utterance of any harsh
criticisms and still further was it
from my thoughts to cast any reiec-
ton whatever on the teachers; they
are doing a noble work.
Napoleon In n OF his addresses to
the mothers of France said: God
bless the mothers and school teach
ers." l emphasize this a thousand
fold-no, not the teachers but the
system is to blame. l thought per-
haps that by putting this grievance
before the school patrons, the teach
ers and the boards Of education, this
farce and nuisance might be reduced
to the minimum. In defense Of Home
Study" I read in the last issue OF
your valuable paper part of an ad-
dress by John w. Cook, president Of
the Northern Illinois State Normal
School at De Kalb. Mr.. Cook told
the members Of the Illinois congress
of mothers in Chicago to keep their
children home and make them study
mark the word make"
In all OF my experience in the school
room and in the home I have some
times succeeded in inducing children
to study. have sometimes succeeded
In teaching scholars how to study
but never have l succeeded in making
any child study. There is a trait of
character in the American boy which
prohibits this-this is perhaps to be
regretted-but, we must take things
as We find them. The question of the
hour in the great northwest is why do
our boys and girls leave the farm?
Many reasons r given, such as the
lure of city life, its noise, hustle, ex-
citement and It's social functions, good
pay for services rendered and short
working hours. The last reason ap-
peals to the boy and will serve my
purpose. AS soon as the boy Is able
to carry a pail he Is expected to milk,
as soon as he a lift a bundle of
grain he helps shock, and as soon as
he can manage a team he does a mans
work or Is expected to. This goes on
from early till late at night day
after day, month after month, and
year after year. Finally tired, and dis
gusted with the long monotonous work
the boy quits and goes to the city
this will be all changed sometime
often the boy is driven away from the
country home by hard physical labor.
Why, then should not the town boy be
driven out OF the city home onto the
streets by hard, and overtime mental
work? Mr.. Cook says further "they
should be at home delightfully."- en-
gagged in studying their lessons" de-
Hghtfully engaged mind you. Oh how
would like to have Mr.. Cook accom-
pany me to some homes in Brookings
II would call his attention to the
scowling looks, the defiant eye Of the
httle boy and have him listen to the
harsh, angry words spoken to the
younger members Of the family bid
ding them to be quiet while he gets
his lesson. And near the boy I'd cal
bis attention to the little frail beauti
full girl her nervous look. her trem
bling lips and tear stained cheek por
ing over their lessons.
Mr.. Cook calls this "delightfully en-
gagged in strdyfng their lessons" Lei
Us look . little farthsr On the on
side Of the stove eta the father. tire<
With his hard days work. enjoying IA,
papers. HE magazine o. his farm