The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-06
Topeka English Department
Has Been ReVOIutiOniZed.
FOR CHARACTER BUILDING
Stress Will Be Laid on Char
acter Analysis, Also.
Every Effort to Make the
Course a Live One.

The teaching of English merely to
instruct the pupil properly to read,
write and speak the language of the
land is being relegated to a back seat
| by the English department of the To-
peka high school A new conception
| of the possibilities that the subject af-
| fords of getting beneath the skin of
the student and exploring the inner
most recesses of his mind, has dawned
upon educators and in the future the
young hopeful will not only be called
| upon to throw together pretty phrases,
| but will be led to explore his own be-
ing and to find out for himself what
are his possibilitie and limitations.
The introduction of this new phase
| in the educational system of the
school amounts to a revolution. And
yet no change has ever been made
| that on the surface was less appar-
| emit. To all appearances the course in
English will be no different from that
| offered in past years. Practically the
same courses in rhetoric will be Of
fered, the same classics studied and
the same number of themes required.
But here is where the possibility for
the new work presented itself. In the
past little Johnnie and Mary Anne
were required to hand in ten or more
themes a term The same require
ment will be made of future English
classes. But while in the past, high
THE Country Store,' "The Family
Cow and other similar subjects, and
often succeeded in throwing together
a few skilful sentences their efforts
in most cases necessitated the use of
but little gray matter. The new order
of things will bring into action not
only the fountain pen, but the brain.
Character Building.
The ideal toward which the mem
bers of the English department are
working through the introduction of
this new plan is the building of char
acter-the development of every pu-
pills personality to the fullest possible
degree. And the foundation will be
laid in the students first high school
term.
By means of the dozen or more
themes prepared by the next sub
freshman class in English, every first
termer will have made an analysis of
himself. How complete this will be in
the early stages of the new plan, none
of the members of the high school fac
ulty cares to prophesy. That it will
be productive from the very first of
at least some of the results that later
are expected no one back of the
scheme doubts.
Subjects for first term themes will
be such as will show how the students
time is spent and in what proportion
the different interests and duties oc-
cupy him; the methods of study type
of memory and the help needed to ac-
quire better results; the students in
terest in books, his application and re-
tention, thus enabling the teacher to
suggest ways to get more out of
reading; power of observation, talent
gift or special aptitude that should be
cultivated or made the basis of future
ambition; family tendencies, abilities
or opportunities that might throw
light on the pupils future career; con-
ditfon of health for the purpose of
showing possible reasons for avoiding
certain professions or occupations, and !
various other subjects along the same
lines. In addition there will also be |
required of every sub-freshman a con-
fidential theme for the purpose of self |
revelation. This composition need not !
be shown even to the teacher, but a |
truthful report will be urged stating |
the amount of time spent, the length |
of the composition written and the re-
suits to the writer. |
Character Analysis.
On the foundation laid in the first |
term of the students career in the |
high school, the building of his char
ond half of the first year, character
analysis through biography will be
studied. The vocation chosen by the
student and the preparation, general
requirements, opportunities and side
lights will be taken up in the third
veloped in the fourth and fifth semes-
ters. In the sixth, vocational ethics
will be discussed. Seventh and eighth
term English are elective and in these
courses social and civic ethics will be
studied.
The theme work will be depended
upon to bear the brunt of the charac-
ter building that the English teachers
aim through their course to accom-
plish. All the other branches of the
course, however, will be made to share
in the scheme.
Every effort is being exerted to
make the study of English thoroughly
alive. Dead books and obsolete meth
DDS of instruction are being discarded
and their places taken by subjects in
which the pupils interest can be
aroused.
In addition to the theme work,
study of classics and rhetoric mock
trials, discussions on modern problems
and topics and a review of current
events is being worked into the course.
Plans are also being perfected for the
production of one act farces by mem
bers of the English classes.
A class devoted altogether to public
speaking and dramatics was organized
last year. The study of the debate
constitutes the regular work of the
seventh term English while in the
eighth term the short story is studied.
THAAEF A ffhMARAG WINFAV