Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-09
SCHOOLS BROADEN
COURSE IN CIVICS
Extended to Higher Grades and
Made to Cover All Functions
of Government
BIG STUDENT INTEREST
City Educators Work Out Modern Sys-
tenn of Teaching Free
From Formality

The nev idea In education has come &c
Philadelphia public schools to stay: The
Old regime OF iron discipline and dry
studies has been displaced for all time by
tne march OF progress. The slogan now is
Eet the students interest and hold IT,"
course in civics designed to make good
citizens Of the students was established
IN the six lower grades Of the public schools
IN October, 1915. This course has proved
30 successful, has created such enthusiasm
among the children, teachers and parents.
that on November 1 II will be extended to
the seventh and eighth grades, according
TO announcement made today by Dr. Theo-
dore l.. MacDowell, associate superintendent
of schools. from his Office in the Keystone
Building, Nineteenth street above Chest
nut
The course has been worked out with
care by Doctor MacDowell, as chairman
and a committee of school principals, de-
partment heads teachers and other edu-
cational experts 1t follows closely the
new idea In education. II is said to mark
the first step in the installation of the most
modern and advanced methods in Philadel-
phia public schools.
"This course in civics was Instituted last
years as an experiment" said Doctor Mac
Dowell. 'It has proved most successful
II Is intended to supersede the course In
civil government which In the past has been
extremely formal
''The new cvics course is absolutely in
formal. 1t Is intended to gradually lead
the children up from a consideration of
matters which interest them to realization
OF the functions of government-city, State
and Federal. 1t does away with the old
formal methods of learning the Constitu-
nv nd Hla
The primary function in modern education
is to interest the children and to hold that
Interest, and, in this manner, to instruct
them. This new course has been a most i'm
portant step along these lines We believe
It will tend to make intelligent citizens of
our children"
FROM FIRST GRADE TO ENGHTH
The course begins in the first grade, with
consideration of the fundamental civic
virtues, morals and manners. The children
are led by the teacher to make suggestions
TO produce Illustrations of points raised
and to take a lively interest I'm the subject
as being one that touches vitality upon the
individual life. This grade deals with
obedience. cleanliness, orderliness, courtesy,
helpfulness and. kindness to animals.
Beginning with the first grade, thescourse
continues directly through the other grades
The subjects considered in the various
grades are:
care Of property, fair play. safety and kind
ness to animals.
Third grade: Thoroughness. honesty, re-
epect, kindness to animals.
Fourth grade: Courage, self-control
thrift, perseverance. kindness TO animals
and a study of the policeman, the fireman,
the postman. the street cleaner, the gar
bage collector the ash and rubbish col
lector.
at frIc
ity telephone. the neighborhood, the city
beautiful, and safety first.
Sixth grade: Philadelphia its industries
and occupations. including a study of in
dustres for which Philadelphia is noted,
occupations, condition OF work and ethics in
business.
Seventh grade: Health protection of
life and property, education, recreation ana
civic beauty.
Eighth grade: Communication, trans
portation and wealth.
The first three grades gradually impress
upon the child not only his duty as an in
dividual but his part in the State. II
brings to him i realization of the fact
that he has duties to others, as others have
duties to him. Service is made the domi-
nant note. SO far there has been no men,
zion of government and public servants.
The ground is being prepared for the chill
drens sensing the necessity for such In
stitutions.
In the fourth grade advantage is taken
of the previous preparation and the need
for the policeman, the postman, the street
cleaner, etc, and the place each occupies
in the child's life and welfare is brought
out In the fifth the idea Is extended and
the necessity for officials somewhat more
remote from the child Is shown. The man
ner in which the water inspector helps pre-
serve the child's life and health is dwelt
upon, for example.
In the sixth grade the interrelation ex-
istlng between all the inhabitants and all
the Industries of the city are brought out,
with a special study Of conditions In Phila-
delphia.
HIGHER FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT
In the seventh and eighth grades a more
detailed study of the functions of govern
ment OF the relations between the citizen
and the government Is made. These two
grades established in this course now for
the first time, are elimination of the
whole subject The student gets a detailed
account of the workings of the Government
and of its various departments. In the
previous grades they have been taught the
place and duties OF the citizen. They have
been gradually led to a knowledge of the
function OF government and the provinces
Of the city State and Federal governments.
In these last two grades the subject is
brought to a close. The class has been
brought to a point where II sees that peo-
pie are bound together in communities In
order that the welfare of all may be ad-
tanced As group lney CAL secure more
for themselves than they can singly. These
last two years OF the study are devoted TO
determining the common interests which the
communities are seeking and how they may
best be obtained.
Another innovation TO be introduced with
this course Is "civics laboratory" This
consists OF bulletin board in each class
room. reports and bulletining OF various
kinds pictures and lantern slides. plans and
charts, maps. samples and models.
No textbook has been issued for the
course. A very complete course Of study
for the teachers guidance has been sup
piled This contains a minute sketch OF the
work. and yet leaves lot TO the initiative
Of the teacher. 1t contains complete list
VI books and articles bearing on the various
topics which may be used by the class and
= ~ the teacher.
CONGREsSMEN GOING TO EUROPE
Unofficial Trips Planned TO Prepare for
Future War Legislation.