The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-11-08
0pen-Air Class Rooms.

Open-air classes were originally in
tended for tuberculous children, tuber-
cular conyalescents, and the pre- -tuber
cuar. IT was felt that their physical
condition should not interfere with
their education, nor their education
aggravate or intensity their physical
disability. Hence, open air classes
were established in order that
these children might be educated I'M
der conditions favoring their recovery.
The work was then extended to in
clude anemic, delicate and run down
children, and has included normal chill
dren. Indeed, some of the best pri-
rate schools in the country conduct
all their lower classes in open air
rooms.
Whether these are called real open
air rooms or open window rooms"
the principles upon which they are
run, the methods, and the results are
much the same, provided sufficient win
dow space is available to allow the
room to be properly called an open-air
room.
Excellent work may be done in an
openair class located on the roof of a
building. on q sheltered balcony, in a
tent or shack, or in regular class
room, with all the windows removed
from their frames. There must. of
course, always be roof or some kind
If covering to prevent rain and snow
from falling into the room, and there
'hould be some kind of wall or screen
to serve as wind break.
In some cities the new school build
ngs are equipped with one or more
1pen air class rooms. Sometimes large
hinged windows, reaching almost from
the floor to the ceiling. occupy one or
more sides of the room Such rooms
ran be Immediately converted into
apen.air rooms.
For the complete success of open
air classes, it is essential that warm
clothing and good food be looked upon
rs necessary adjuncts to the fresh air.
u the child is allowed TO become
ahilled, the good effects of the fresh air
will be nullifed. A warm outer wrap
md covering for the head, felt boots
or other protection for the feet, a sit
ting bag, blanket and any other GOV
ering needed for the study or rest pc
riod sometimes spent in lying or
sleeping on cotsl must be provided for
each child.
Food furnishes fuel for the body
and hence II a source OF heat Children
in open-air classes need extra food for
this reason. rs well as to help in their
iip-building. Hot soups. cocoa and sim
liar simple, nourishing warm foods
should be supplied.
The teacher of an open.air class
should be particularly well.qualified
for her work. She should know some
thing of food values and the general
hygiene requirements of children. II
she has. in addition. an instinct for
social service, her value win be all
the greater. An open-air class fur
nishes splendid opportunity for the
formation of invaluable health habits
In almost all cases the results of
open.air classes have been very good
The children usually gain in weight
more rapidly than the average, the sp.
petite improves, nervousness decreases
and the blood takes on a much red
der hue. The pupils generally are
more alert and interested, sometimes
advancing more rapidly in their grade
than other children.
To the more or less family or com.
munity spirit developed in an opens air
class, the children respond with help
full cooperation.