Newark post., 1919-03-26
VOCATIONAL WORKERS
HOLD CONFERENCE
Continued from Page y


Cooperation" was the theme of
an inspiring talk by DR.. Samuel C.
Mitchell.
An interesting report Of the st.
Louis convention and the Home
Economics problems discussed
there was made by Professor S.
Helen Bridge.
The practical subject of how the
school lunch may be financed in
rural communities was presented
by Mrs. J. Lynn Pratt of Milford,
who told of plans tried out sue
cessfully in her community.
The cafeteria method of serving
school lunches was discussed by
Elizabeth Houston.
Miss Helen Brown of Dover,
who initiated the Home Economies
course at Newark High School last
year, gave a splendid exposition of
what a course in Home Economics
should do for a girl.
methods of Teaching House
hold Furnishings" was the subject
of a paper read by Miss Blanche
Masker, teacher of Home Econo-
mics at Newark High School.
Miss Elizabeth Wright gave an
excellent outline of the methods
and results of teaching the control
of the family income and the
necessity for maintaining a budget
system.
promoting the Application of
School instruction in Home Eco
nomics to the Home" was discuss
ed by Miss Mary J. Mason.
The necessity for teacher train
ing in Home Economics was shown
in an able address by Prof. Mary
E. Rich.
A course in Education, the
speaker declared, is necessary to
the understanding of any problem.
, The subject matter constituting
such course was thoroughly dis
sected and tested for it's educa-
tional value. The richness of it's
thought content is the measuring
stick by which all subject matter
must be judged, not merely the ac-
QUESTION of skill which has to dc
only with muscular movements
Putting a recipe on the board and
conducting a demonstration by the
use of laboratory material leads
simply to the development of
memory and skill as far as the
particular subject in hand extends
and no farther. Home Economics
training must be worked out on q
higher basis than memory or skill
Development it must give such g
grasp of the application of scienti.
fc principles as will, like any
science, lead to a mastery of the
material world.
1t must be presented so that il
will lead to mental growth of chill.
dren, give them ability to see new
problems and conquer them anG
to develop the spirit of inquiry
This is, after all, she said, the sec.
ret of success-the ability to see
new problems and the power tc
meet them.
Through vocational work an eff,
fort is made to reduce the mum,
ber of misfits in life, to encourage
children to stay in school unit,
they have sufficient education tc
fit them for work and for growth
Of those who leave school before
their 10th year, 19 out of 20 enter
blind alley occupations, having NJ
outlet for advancement.
The dangers of vocational train
ing were pointed out forcibly, par
ticularly that of narrowing tht
child's interest to one particular
trade or institution. In Home Eco
nomics the danger lies in training
simply for skill in the manua
work of the home. This neveI
leads to growth. If the vocationa
education movement is to be sue
cessful it must lead to a realiza
tion>of the possibilities of present
ing the subject matter in such ;
way as to vitalize academic educa
tion.
Matters of general interest t.
Home Economics workers were dis
cussed informally. 1t is hoped t.
make this conference an annua
affair.