The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-04-01
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN.
b. Mabel Horne-, County supt.

have been centered for number or
weeks past are now matters OF his
tory. We wish we might fill these
columns with critical and apprecia-
tive comment upon the activities OF
this combined education effort; but
other matters are at hand demand
ing immediate attention and public
ity. Therefore we must forget the
things that are behind and press for
ward to the duties that are before us,
with but brief comment upon that
which has claimed SO much time and
attention so short time ago.
The .inspirationap institute is we'll
named, at least, this is the cOncen-
sus of opinion as we have gathered
it from the enthusiastic comment OF
those who attended. We have been
fortunate in securing instructors es-
pecially qualified to speak authorlta-
lively upon the work they presented.
To quote from one of the lectures,
success is about one per cent inspl-
ration, and ninety-nine per cent per-
spiration.' We believe the institute
lectures have fulfilled their mission
in supplying the one per cent. Now
if the county superintendent, teacher
and pupils will do their part in bring
ing up the ninety-nine per cent the
Decatur county schools will reach a
degree of success never before at
tanned. This is as it should be. Each
tomorrow should find us farther
than today We have been enabled
to conceive lofty ideals of what
schools should be. Ideals, laid away
in napkin are no good. They are
a trust for which they are held re-
spOnsible.
Chapter 24s 35th General Assem-
bly, states that:
The teaching of elementary agri-
culture, domestic science and man
ual training, shall after the first day
of July, 1915, be required in the
plblic schools of the state; and the
state superintendent of public in
struction shall prescribe the extent
of such instruction in the public
schools.
In accordance with the above leg
islation the state superintendent has
issued a general bulletin relative to
the extent to which this work shall
be pursued, the equipment necessary
in grades and high schools, and the
this work. This bulletin has been
sent to each of the town school
boards in the county. Following are
some of the qualifications from the
bulletin:
It is assumed that both boys and
girls will take agriculture. 1t is rec
commended that boys only take man
ual training, and girls only take do
nestle science. However, work may
be pursued in all three subjects if
the pupil so desires.
Preparation of Teachers and Exam
nations.
The preparation of the teacher,
who is to give instruction in agricul-
ture, domestic science or manual
training in grades Z and 8 should
not be less than six weeks OF special
training in these subjects, more is
highly desirable. Teachers who are
to give high school Instruction in
these subjects should have as much
preparation along these special lines
as is required for preparation to
teach other high school subjects.
Outlines of the work to be covered
in examinations for certificates in
these special subjects may be secur-
ed from the county superintendent.
Agriculture.
Success with the work in agricul-
ture will be measured by the spirit
in which the work is entered into by
the community and the school, and
to the degree to which the work is
really made practical
The Field Plot.
To give the class opportunity to
see actual conditions, observation
trips to fields and farm yards should
be arranged whenever practicable.
Where conditions will permit
school plot for experimental pur-
poses is highly desirable. The size
of the plot is not important. That
there be a plot, however small. and
that it be rightly used, is essential to
the best results. A large garden
will serve An entire city lot may
be used. A large high school class
can utilize two or three acres in the
year course. On the other hand some
surprising results have been obtain
ed from strip only three feet wide
along one side of the school yard. 1t
should be remembered that the
school experiment plot is of doubt
full value unless the teacher may be
responsible for the work for more
than nine months of the year. Many
experiments of the greatest interest
and highests value to the class will
continue through the growing sea-
son. Work of this character may
we'll be encouraged. School boards
will be justified in providing for va
cation direction and care of field
plot experiments and problems. The
class teacher may arrange with indi-
vidual pupils who desire to carry on
home projects on their farms or in
their gardens. When proper reports
are made concerning these vacation
and home projects full school credit
should be allowed.
1e 90
In response to the expressed desire
of many teachers to attend summer
school near home, Professor Mellow
ell of Lamont, is considering a pro-
iect for the organization of a sum-
mer school at Lamont. If the ar
rangements are completed the school
will be fully approved by the State
i