The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-06-05
Moral instruction In Pubic schools
By Frederic j. Easkn.

A8 By Eredeu
ssa1aousrHsss1s1eoscsua1cs1s.tac 6
! The competition open to every one
for two cash prizes. TO be awarded
Hgious education. including dem
mite code OF training adapted to the
american public schools, is drawing
Eattention TO subject which Tor sew
Ieral years has been regarded as pre-
tsenting one Of the most difficult proo-
iiems now confronting the enducasors.
The largest prize amounts TO $5.ooo-
man TO be awarded under the d1rec-
non of the National 1nstiruron Tor
Moral instruction, which Is composed
of many well-known educators, ana
men and women prominent In ph1lan-
thropic and sociological work OF d1t-
ferenr kinds The conditions for the
award OF this prize are now being
considered
The other competition closes the
first of June It is under the direc-
ton of the National Education Asso-
citation, and offers a prize of SI0oo
for the best essay, not exceeding w.
900 words, upon The Essential
Place of Religious Teaching in Eou-
cation Each essay must be accom-
panied by the outline Of plan oy
which the views of the writer may
form code Of moral instruction
adapted to the public schools. The
number Of letters of inquiry regard
ing this contest indicate that a large
number of essays are to be expected
Owing to changed domestic and
social conditions. neither the church
or home are considered capable OF
giving complete moral and religious
training A large number of chill
dren are receiving absolutely no IN
creasfng number OF offenders brought
before the juvenile courts is one IN
dication Of the result Of this lack a
few efforts have been made to have
the church and school cooperate by
excusing the children for certain
period each week In order that they
may attend religious classes provided
by their respective churches. out
this movement has not been well
organized or generally accepted. IL
does not solve the question for the
large number OF chi1dren@who have
no church Affiliations whatever
The public school IS the chief ed
ucationa1 resource Of the nation, and
character-bui1ding is regarded as the
important end of education. Charae-
ter can only be developed by a deh-
mite sense Of right. and this sense
must be cultivated by proper lnstruc-
ton
out the country have formulated
courses of moral instruction for their
schools which have received the en-
dorsement OF the school authorities
and are now In practical operation
Gus value OF having such instruction
| made obligatory IN the schools OF
the countrp. A plan originated By
Miss Jane Brownies, of the La
tGranee school of Toledo, o. is beins
used by other schools OF that CITY.
IShe began with series OF hve min min
lutte talks upon some definite suooecI
rect ethical value was selected fos
leach month OF the year, and the cnn-
dren were urged to express the11
thoughts upon it. The ten montn
program beginning with September
/ includes such subjects rs kindness
|, obedience. cleanliness. self control
/ courtesy and cheerfulness. work
honor and honesty ruthfulness
/ clean language, and for the Iasl
! month manners and review OF the
/ years work
During the month in which word
\ is considered, it is placed where II
may frequently meet the eyes OF the
children. It IS attracuvely 1ettereo
upon the blackboard In most schools
| The older boys of lagrange school
made a banner which hanss IN the
/ main hall upon which the subject
4 for each month Is placed, SO as 10
Il catch the attention of all who enter
4 the building.
4 well arranged course Of study In
4 ethics and morals has anlready been
! adopted by the public SCHOOLS o. ..
4 Berkeley and Los Angeles. Cailf- y
begins with the first grade and con
/ schools and some progress has been
4 made upon course adapted 10 tne
\ I,iph schools The work for the nrst
and second years includes stuo1es u
4 neatness. cleanliness, po1iteness ano
l iSindness to others, including a STUDY
of the Golden Rule with all us mean
ings- -o.-. CON-
time kindness in a broader sense, IN
j ending helpfulness, sympathy and
Il Insice, Love is the next topic. EN-,
I bracing love for parents. family ano
4 s,,ends for teachers and benefactors
and fnaIly for all Others. tidenty
and duty to all those entitled TO I.
+ md also obedience and the reasons
4 for it are included during enese
|! The fifth year advances to CON
Il sideration of nobility Of character,
b embracing man1iness. generos1y,
4 seIf-sacrifice and brayely IN -netptns
lo1 saving others Respect and rever-
ence for parents. teachers. the aged,
those in civil authority ana nose
who have rendered disttngusneo ser,
.Iyice- the confession OF fault. personal
!!,sSSs- +-,fI1fulness and self-goyern-
I-oent an are introduced during this
4 - rT1ba ether wears continue ad-