The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-07-06

from friends, as
sociates in lodges and other organiza-
tons and all other tactful means Will
be used to induce these illiterates to
enroll in the moonlight Schools
which are simply night schools con-
Quoted on moonlight nights. II pos
sible, for the convenience Of the coun-
try people in reaching the school.
These schools will be conducted in
the schoolhouse or if more convenient,
in some other place. at least three
nights a week for at least four weeks.
OF course we shall have to rely mainly
upon the public school teachers to vol
unteer for the teaching. Many Of
them nave already indicated their
willingness to do this, Others will be
given opportunity to volunteer at sum-
mer schools and teachers Institutes
this summer and later at equity teach
ers associations. The teachers can
always be relied upon to do their part
in every %altruistic movement for COM
munity Improvement and civic better
ment. This part of the work will nee
essarily be largely under the direction
Of the county superintendent, the
teachers, the county board Of educa-
ton and committeeman, as it is dis
tinctly educational.
The moonlight Schools have
proved successful in dealing with this
problem of adult illiteracy in other
places, notably in Kentucky, where
they were first inaugurated about
three years ago in Rowan county, by
Mrs. Cora Wilson Stewart, at hat
time Superintendent of Schools of hat
county. The story Of the movement
in hat State under her wonderful
leadership is inspiring and the results
have been marvellous. Largely as the
at the annual meeting of the State
Association Of County Superintendent
at the Teachers Assembly last Novem-
Der, eighty moonlight Schools were
conducted in ten counties in this State
last year, enrolling fifteen hundred
illiterates, most Of whom earned to
read and write. The forthcoming tul-
letin contains an exact reproduction
of a letter written by an adul Hitter
ate on the fourth night Of his attend
ance upon n Of these schools in Co
lumbus county. These schools have
therefore passed beyond the expert
mental stage.
Adult illiteracy will be one of the
principal subjects emphasized this
week early in October and immedi-
ately following that week these
"Moonlight Schools will be opened
and conducted for at least a month
in all parts of the State.
Local organizations like the Farm
oIS OIlOu, JUI1OT OIuof, women 5
Clubs, School Improvement Leagues
churches, Sunday schools, etc., will be
asked to cooperate with teacher anG
school authorities in securing attend.
ance, in meeting and necessary Incl.
dental expenses n in providing
short social entertainments of variou.
sorts to make the pupils Of these
schools feel at home and comfortable
and to make it pleasant and interest
ing for them.
h county papers will be asked t
publish in their columns or in a littl,
supplement each weeks lessons
week in advance. The James an
p%ostoffice addresses of the illiterate
; enrolled in the schools will be fur
! nished the paper with the request t.
; send a copy Of the paper containin!
the weeks lessons to each pupil VIII
: will be directed to bring it to schoo
with him each night. The paper will
!; be his textbook. As he learns t
l read, he will. Of course, have the bal
: ance Of the paper for additional prac
tice in reading.
Short news items from each district
. some Of them about happenings i
: these schools, in words and sentence
; comprehensive to adult beginners i
: reading, will be sent to the pape
weekly. In this way they be in
terested and encouraged from tn
start. If the county papers will CO
operate with us in this plan, I be
:, lieve hat it will prove the most sue
, ~cessful plan yet devised for teachin
= adult i~lliterates.
The printing of the lessons and tn
= locals and the extra copies Of tn
= paper could not cost much. In add,
! ton to the sweet reward Of an az
proving conscience for a valuable sci
:, vice rendered, the editors would,
believe, soon reap a financial rewar
- in advertisement and increased sui
, s%cription list. A very large majorit
of those to whom the paper was sen
as soon as they learned to read woul
- become permanent subscribers an
: grateful friends to the paper.
-. The editors and the teachers {
= North Carolina occupy HI strateg.
~ position in this plan.
Without their voluntary service