Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1920-11-04
BREADTH OF MODERN SCHOOL
CURRICULUM. A>
written for The Times.

so many things have been added In
recent years to the courses laid down
for completion before one finishes the
grammar school or graduates from
the high school Of the present day.
The elective system in colleges and
universities. instituted only a. few
years ago, has grown in extent and
favor till literally hundreds Of cour-
ses in language, science. literature,
history, mathematics. art. music. etc,
are announced in their catalogues.
many OF these courses not required
for graduation but among the studies
that may be chosen by a student as a
part of his course for a degree. OF
course In elementary and secondary
schools not 30 much choice Is allow
ed, nor Is the range Of studies nearly
50 wide or so complete as in the high
er institutions Of learning: but even
here. among the higher grades. some
choice is given in the selection Of
studies. Many subjects are taught in
the high schools that a few years
ago were given only in the college
course.
The courses are not as extensive
as they are in the average college.
but where there are sufficient labora-
tory facilities a considerable knowl-
| edge Of such studies as physics. chem
istry and biology may be acquired.
| These are practical studies and their
pursuit gives mental discipline as
| we'll. That manual training and
study OF agriculture and domestic
science have been brought to our
doors and made accessible to pupils
| who may never go beyond the high
| school course gives us cause for
gratitude.
| 1t Is the writer's conviction there
! are two studies that ought to be
given a more prominent place in our
| grammar and high schools. one OF
| these being music and the other art.
or course 1 have reference to the
| rudiments OF vocal music. There ts
some danger that music will become
lost art with all the people who
are not called upon to render the
| service OF song in church choir.
We already see signs OF failure at
this point. and many seem to feel
that they have no part or lot In this
matter. Nor does instruction In
drawing go as far as 1t should. even
where 1t is taught at all. in our
| schools. More attention should be
| given to mechanical drawing. in
| cluding perspective. etc. This knowl-
| edge would be available for practical
purposes and would aid as a founda-
| ton for more advanced work alonB
| almost all artistic lines.
The breadth of our school curricu-
| Ia brings us face to face with sew
eral dangers. however. One Of these
\ is that breadth Of study will result
| in a corresponding shallowness. II
broadening Of our course OF study
| brings about a decrease in intensity
and depth 1t Is question whether
| we have gained or lost by It's intro
duction. In our modern schools
| many more facts OF many kinds are.
or may be. learned by the pupil; but
when we compare present day cul-
| ture with that of those men and wo.
| men who. in a former day. necessa-
| rily confined their studies In the
common schools to Latin, Greek.
mathematics and logic. we are usu-
ally compelled to give first place to
| the older culture. We OF today
| should appreciate our wider opportu
| nifty for breadth OF culture and be
| sure to 80 use 1t that there will be
| no lack in its depth and intensity.
| Another danger Is that the immature
student, II allowed to choose for him
self. electing one study and rejecting
another. will pick that which re-
quires less effort rather than that
which will be best for his mental dis
cipline and for preparation for his
life work. I do not think those edu-
cational philosophers are mistaken
who hold that the study which the
child dislikes Is the one he probably
stands in greatest need Of. Dislike
| for mthematical studies for instance.
shows n lack Of development along
| mathematical lines and a consequent
need OF such a development.
Still another mistake which Is
made by young pupils and submitted
| to by many parents and teachers Is
that OF leaving off language study.
especially the study OF Latin, for
courses which they consider easier
and OF greater practical importance.
Since considerable per cent OF our
| English words are derived from
Greek and a much larger per cent
from the Latin language some knowl-
edge Of both these languages is desir-
| able as scientific foundation for
English. Especially ought attention
to be given to Latin not only because
OF its relation to English and its use
in so many technical courses. but be-
cause 1t is 80 often required for col
| lege entrance and a lack here will
| therefore cause delay in entering or
| require much extra work after en-
trance to make up the deficiency
here j. w. III. d.
PrOlOng Life Of Shoes.