The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-12-31
REvAMPING THE RURAL SCHOOL,
A Successful Experiment In South Caro-
lima.

There has been laudable desire on
the part Of the public OF late years "
Improve rural school conditions, and In
South Carolina York county there IL
an experimental rural school, whose
work IL an example for thousands OF
such schools oil over the country. The
course of study and the government of
the children IL based upon the theory
that the teachers business Is not prl-
marily to "hear lessons" 40 much IA II IL
10 organize, guide, and interpret the ac-
tivities which are normal TO children as
active members Of the community. An
unbiased visitors account of this school
may convey to the reader good idea Of
the working principles Of what can be
done. First, however, n word should be
said of the building itself. 1t is u plain,
comfortable residence, handed over to
the school authorities for the expert
ment, with several piazEas on the outside
where scholars sit and study, while in
side II Is fitted up very much like the
simple homes of the children's parents,
who are nearly all farmers. Not a desk
is to be seen, only chairs and tables, such
as may be found in any house. II should
be noted, in passing, that, while good
fortune, rather than selection, offered
such ideal surroundings for the children,
yet the instigators Of this successful ex
pertinent, now model for rural schools
throughout the state, have unconsciously
developed new idea in rural-school con-
struction, which will be worthy of seri-
GUS consideration.
Approaching the school in the early
morning" says the visitor, you see
across the privet hedge surrounding the
yard groups of children of all ages from
six to l6, at work in the ample school
garden; some of them are laying out
seed beds, some are hoeing, some cutting
flowers for the schoolroom, and others
are gathering lettuce for the midday
meal. In an hour, the children have
worked off their superfluous energy and
fidgetiness, accumulated experience which |
is to serve them as the basis for the
days indoor work, and they are ready |
to go inside. First, however, they go to
the pump in one of the porches and wash
The soil from their hands at this tempo
'ary substitute for the shower baths and
soon to be installed. But |
washing is a doubtful satisfaction with
,ut towels, and, as towels do not grow
IN trees, they must be provided; so, UNI
Ter the guidance of the teacher, the
number, size and cost of the towels is
discussed. Tape measure in hand, the
children consider various lengths, and
inally decide on towels two feet long.
The older pupils then use their arith
netic to find out how much toweling
will be needed. The cloth bought, each
hild measures off her towels, the size
5 determined, and the work of basting
'egins. The teacher explains why the
lamask hem is best for the purpose in
and, and shows the children how to
make it. When the towels are finished
he children find that the hem has re-
uced their length to % inches. Thus,
hey have had an invaluable lesson in
and understand their meaning,
5 they could not have done had they
pent the time in solving book problems /
nreated to their mornings experience. 1
Copy right, 1914, by E. r. Parkinson-AIl
rights reserved