Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-15

least day in twenty to observe the work
of other teachers and the management of
other systems of schools than those in
which they serve it cannot be hoped to find
them enthusiastically on the side of prog
ress unless progress is defined as increased
wages, fewer hours and less work,
The siX-hour day and directed study had
its inception in the United States at Nor
ristown about five years ago. The plan was
brought to the attention of the superin-
tendents of this country through a news
circular of the Commissioner of Education
at Washington a few months later. 1t has
since been adopted in many Of the cities
OF the United States.
Teach Students How to Study
At a parent.teachers' meeting in the in
terest of the high school the superintendent
proposed siX-hour school day in addition
to fifteen minutes for devotional exercises.
HIS outline of the plan Of six one.hour peri
DDS providing for directed study during the
tlrst half-hour of each period and an in
tensive recitation during the second half
or the period for all academic subjects and
for hour periods for laboratory work and
two-hour periods for manual work was en-
| Enthusiastically received by parents and later
unanimously adopted by the Board of Edu.
cation Norrisrown had then the traditional
five-hour day
The advantages set forth at that time for
such an arrangement were summarized as
follows:
First, The long day and long periods
oHer an opportunity TO teach the students
how TO study and how TO investigate and
work.
Second, It places the work of the school
where 1t should be and under the direction
or the person particularly fitted to direct It.
Third. One-half hour of study, followed
by one-half hour of recitation, avoids IA
tigue and at the same time places the stu
ia taa IpA
instead of forty-tive minutes or less.
Fourth. The work will be done largely IN
daytime and the fatigue and eyestrain due
to night study will be eliminated.
Fifth. The student will gain time Under
the old plan much time was wasted in
study because the student frequently studied
under conditions unfavorable He frequent
| ly did not know how to approach his work
and became discouraged and lost time.
Sixth. 1t insures some preparation by
every student. This will make the teach
| Ing more effective. When pupils are eX.
| pected to prepare their lessons at home
| many fail to do so.
Seventh. The evening belongs to the home
| 1t is the time for the family hour for
! social culture and for legitimate entertain
| ment. 1t is also the time for relaxation
and the time when the mind should be d.
verted from the business of the day. II
will mean closer companionship of parents
| and children during the high school period
Eighth. This plan recognizes the rhythm
| of life-a time for work, a time for re-
Taxation and enjoyment and time for
| sleep.
Under this plan students who carry the
| minimum requirement twenty-three hours
| Of work per week, will have one full period
| for study in school each day in addition to
| the half-hour prior TO each lesson, Twice
a week they will have two hours in add.
tion to the half-hour preparation before
| each lesson Students who are permitted
| to pursue an additional subject will have
fun hour for study twice a week only
| Students who cannot gain good standing
| in their lessons by using all the available
| time for study in school are urged to supple
ment the school work by study at home
until satisfactory standing is attained.