East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-10-31
PORTLAND HEAD Of
SCHOOLS EXPLAINS
TEACHING METHODS
L. II. ALDERMAN ADDRESSES IN
SrITUTE ON WORK THAT is
BEING DONE.

ment yesterday at the institute tina
of western coast cities Portland 4
taking some OF the most active step
toward scientific and systemati'
teaching within the public schools o
the country.
In Portland, he said, all opportunity
possible was given the teachers to be
come thoroughly acquainted with
their pupils, having introduced the
very popular method OF Rotation oi
Teachers" in which each teacher
passes from grade to grade with heI
pupils.
a musical school is being developed
in which all pupils with musical tai
ent are given an opportunity to devel-
op, and an art school in which those
interested in art may develop their
talents. Foreign languages are being
taught in the grades, and sewing and
laundering is included in the domestic
science, together with all phases Of
housework.
A printing press has been estab-
lished and all advantages possible are
being extended for the development
OF the coming generations.
Parents, meetings are being held,
and teachers and parents discuss to-
gether the habits and character or
the child, that all means possible
might be extended for the develop
ment Of clean habits.
Community Assets
John G. Kilpack gave an address
on "Your Community's Greatest AS
set" Mr.. Kilpack is district visitor
Of the Boys and Girls Aid Society OF
Portland and declares that after six
years spent in investigating the caus-
es OF dependency ana delinquency
among children when the home fails
to live up to its responsibilities and
leaves the child at the mercy of the
community the latter instead OF being
a protector or guardian, is too often
a contributing factor in accomplish
ing the downfall of its youth.
He began with the question, what
is your community's richest asset?"
declaring that If this question should
be propounded to the people individ-
ually a great variety of answers would
probably be forthcoming. Doubtless
they would point TO their cattle or
their grain and while he declared, Il
am quite willing to concede to you
that these assets are rich IN a none
tary value and that their conserva- |
ton should be vigorously guarded; |
yet 1 claim that we have a far richer
asset, that cannot be valued by any
thing SO material as dollars and
cents. 1t is the child of today, the
man and woman Of tomorrow"
He emphasized that it is of far
greater importance that a mental and
physical test is applied to those who
wish to enter the holy state of mat
rimony and assume the duties and /
responsibilities that come with par
enthood, than that a literacy or men |
tai test should be applied to those
from other lands who desire !
to enter this country. He de |
clared that "the welfare of the state
demands that children shall be we'll
born and well-bred ana not until we
give them this right will there be a
decrease in the number OF children /
who are filling our institutions and
becoming dependent upon public an
private philanthropy"
Bringing the question a little clos
er home. he continued, Are We pro-
viding the children of our eastern
Oregon towns and villages with a
clean, healthy environment which
will later show its result in law-abid
ing, character-making citizenship?
Are we doing our best to beautify our
town or village, not only physically
but morally, so that We nave some
thing worth offering and can attract
10 our community home-loving,
home-making class OF people? II Is
IN unpleasant statement to have to
nake?" he declared. that there are
in eastern Oregon into
which would be loath to have to go /:
md live and raise children on account :
Il the low moral tone and unfavorable
nvironment"
He asserted that the social atmos-
here and environment Of the life OF :
he youth today is very largely in :
If not wholly dominated, by :
he cOmmercialized amusement world, :
nd continued to inquire, "Are the
arents, teachers, city officials and
theirs of your community, who should :
ave the welfare of your children al :
cart, looking to it that only pictures .
nd plays that are clean, wholesome =
nd uplifting are presented to the :
1ildren who frequent your theaters =
lat no dances are permitted which :
re not carefully regulated and sup 2
rvlsed. and that everything is be-
lg done that can be done to safe Z
uard childhood?" E
In conclusion he emphasized the :
Importance Of every teacher being an
arnest student Of such problems as :
eredity and environment, which are :
lterwoven with the life OF every :
h!li. declaring that we might rest
ssured that most of the all-import- :
ri questions will be simplified ana :
erhaps solve themselves II we are :
the great principles Of love :
nd service. :
MAY we always remember" ne
oncluded, that to help a boy or
.rl is the greatest thing in the world :
Or they are our community's riches
sset At one and the same tims you
re helping not only the chili Eut
he man or woman the community
he willie world anj yourself
"AngIo-S Saxon Grit"