Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-29
URGE new METHOD
IN GRADED SCHOOLS
Phila. Teacher Asserts Kinder
garten Model for Higher
Glasses in State Convention
SECTIONAL MEETINGS HELD

Special Dispatch to Bucniro Public Ledger
Harrisburg, Pa. Dec. 29.--Modeling
OF the work Of graded schools along the
lines Of child trimming followed in the
kindergarten was advocated by Miss
Ida Hart, ( the Hoffman School, Phila-
delphia, in paper read before the
graded schools section of the State
Educational Association convention.
TIL association opned the third days
session Of it's convention today with a
score Of sectional meetings in progress
1--WE aim at ideal conditions In our
schools" said the Philadelphia teacher,
but while there are blissfui excep.
tions, the conditions are often these
Enormous classes. fifty to sixty pupils
in a grade: inadequate equipment and
teachers who are not prepared 70 do
more than hear" lessons previously
memorized and develop q certain skill
in the three RS.
Unfortunately there are still some
parents who clamor for assigned pages
In geography. history and long lists of
spelling words.
1--WE must seek the activities that
will meet life's needs in the best way
This il just what the kindergarten has
always done and we can well pattern
b ythe methods which have been used
in this department Of child training"
Miss Hart referred to the parent who
complains that he cannot show his son
how to do arithmetic as the child says
it is not done that way in school"
She said "school way" should not be
established unless it was an improve
ment under the way things are done in
actual life.
Interesting side studies If conducted
correctly. Miss Hart said, will not lead
to sighting other subjects, but often
times will bring an improvement and
interest members Of the chid's family.
She advocated having the children
get their knowledge first hand and said
I'VE found factories, public service
plants. city officials and business
houses seemed almost tlattered at finding
we wanted to visit and were asking in
formation" She said the children often
will suggest studies to he followed.
Opportunities for Women
Endless opportunities for clubwomen
to aid in teaching foreign born citizens
American ways and ideas were presented
by Miss Stella W. Jones, of the State
ericanization Bureau. Miss Jones
said women could volunteer for clerical
WUTk anu UtutE NOIh " tuils
on Americanization. She said former
| school teachers make the best volunteer
instructors in Americanizarion schools.
E. e. Bach, the director Of the
| bureau, said the board of education in
each community should be leader in
such activities. the chambers Of COM
merre, social, religious and welfare or.
! ganizatiOns CO operating, and later led
discussion in which various people
present were asked to set forth views.
| Mrs. II. G. Christy, in charge Of wom-
ems work in the Pittsburgh district,
and E. c. Vermillion, regional director
! in Allegheny county, made formal ad-
dresses on work among foreign born
women and on the community plan,
and during the discussion A. W. Castle
commended the ideas of work by women
among women from other lands. He
! suggested the tortnightly community
meeting, various clubs and societies al
! ternating IN charge of programs, and
, said churches could also help on an un-
UNCONVENTIONAL basis.
Interesting Test
Both Mr.. Bach and Mrs. Christy said
! the foreign press should be enlisted in
every AmeriCanization campaign and be
made one of the groups working to i'm
plant respect for American institutions
and to aid aliens to prepare for citizen
ship.
One of the most interesting of the
group meetings was conducted on child
hygiene BY Or. Norbert J. Melville. Of
Philadelphia. This meeting was held
in the Senate chamber aud as part OF
!: the demonstration DR.. Melville had his
audience, seated at the senator's desks
take various mental tests, such as were
given in schools. 1t was the first affair
Of the kind ever held in the Capitol.