Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-10-14
AMERICANISM IN
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
STRONGLY URGED
County Institute Told World
Looks to America to Lead
in Education

The second day of the Teachers
Institute of Dauphin county began
with the meeting this morning in
Fahnestock Hall at 0 o'clock, After
the reading of the Scriptures and
prayer by the Rev, j. Q. Pease, the
institute sang several hymns under
the leadership of John 4. Watkins,
of Scranton.
The speaker OF this morning was
DR., George III. Belts, of Northwest
ern University, Evanston, lll' DR..
Belts subject was Education
Finding ITSELF" and his expressions
on this topic were warmly received
by the four hundred teachers gath
cred to hear him. Ho began with
the statement that through the
trails of war, America had become
less boastful and was more inclined
to REORGANIZATION. All this 'would
tend to building up the educational
system OF the country.
Educational Renaissance
So much Is heard of the era of
reconstruction at this time. said DR..
Belts, that people rather lose sight
Of the renaissance of education
which is q phase of the reconstruc-
ton in this country. The present
renaissance SO far exceeds the one
of several centuries ago that they
cannot be classed under the same
name.
England and France are reorgan-
izing and rebuilding their educa-
tional systems, looking to America
for help and guidance, and attempt
ing to bring their schools up to the
standard set by this country. Speak
ing of the bill before Congress to
promote Federal education, DR..
Belts spoke enthusiastically of the
idea, and expressed the hope In ad-
dition that the Congress would soon
see fit to add O cabinet member in
the interests of education.
Health and hygiene to be taught
from the first grade until gradua-
ton was another side of reconstruc-
ton of education which Is neces-
sary. This and the teaching of 100
per cent. Americanism in the schools
are the fundamental foundations of
the school systems of our country.
Sectional Meetings
The remainder of the morning
was given over to section meetings
in the Zion Lutheran Church.
Grades from z to IL were addressed |
by DR.. Belts, who spoke on the
"Definiteness of Aim in Teaching"
and DIR. George A. Mirick, of Har-
ward, on Instruction" Both DR.. |
Belts and DIR. Mirick urged system /
and more system in school work, in |
order that greater efficiency might |
result. Haphazard methods of teach
ing must go. and the sooner the |
better.
The grades from to were ad- |
dressed by DR.. Mirick, and Miss Re-
becca Steele, of the Scarborough |
School, who spoke on the Project |
Method" Later the rural schools |
were instructed on Drawing in |
Rural Schools" by Paul Beck, State |
Supervisor of Music and Drawing, |
and Miss Steele on the Grouping of
Classes" Both these speakers are
experts and presented some very
good material for the teachers from
the rural districts.
This afternoon the Fahnestock
address by DR.. Mirick, at 1:45. The
section meetings were held, begin
ming at 2:30 and addressed by DR..
Belts, Miss Steele and Mr.. Beck on
THE Teacher and His Method"
"The Relation of Phonics to Read |
ing" and Music in Rural Schools"
Yesterday afternoon DR.. c. r. |
Phillips, of Harrisburg, delivered a |
lecture before the institute on Con |
tagious Diseases in the School and |
Means of Combating Them" He |
emphasized the importance of vac
cination and innoculation. DR.. |
Louise Taylor delivered a lecture on |
First Aid" which was received with |
great enthusiasm.
Special emphasis was laid on the |
important role that the teaching of !
first aid is destined to play in educa- !
tional reform, and in the humaniZ-
ing of education by establishing a
safe proportion between traditional
and vocational education. DIR. Tay- /
lor stated that giving a place to first
aid in the school curriculum may not
only save life but will surely en-
noble and enrich lives. This is the
broad view taken by the Red Cross
in their work and the one they are
so anxious to impress upon the edu-
Gators of the Nation.