Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-10-09
SCHOOLFOR
BLIND DOES
GREAT WORK
Herald Correspondent Gives
Interesting Details Re-
garding Institution.
(By Special Correspondent

/, Walhalla. N. d., Oct. 9.-Having' a
keen sympathy for the blind and de-
string to know more about their edu-
cation, i inquired of the superintend-
ent Of the state school at Bathgate
when I might visit the school. He
gave me a cordial invitation Il come
at any time that suited my convent
ence. to see the blind boys and girls
at work.
called at eight O'clock in the
morning and was warmly welcomed,
and was told that chapel exercises
would be held in a few minutes. When
the bell rang calling the pupils to
assemble, we went up to the assembly
room and found the pupils seated and
attentive. The superintendent, who
generally conducts these exercises,
stepped forward and named a 'Psalnl
to be repeated. The pupils rose and
in concert repeated the Psalm readily
and exprcssively. The superintendent
then read Il chapter from the New
Testament without comment; the
whole school joined in singing Il fam
iliarahymn and in repeating the Lords
prayer. Anothers hymn was sung; n
of the teachers outlined tho :1iews. OF
Importance during the past few days:
announcements relating TO school
work We're given then n march was
played and-the pupils marched out
in orderly line and went immediately
to their respective classes.
In the Primary Room
1t. was suggested that, 20 to the
primary room. There I found the
small boys and girls having a spelling
lesson. This was followed by an
other class in spelling. then two class
es in reading the raised print. It was
really remarkable to mo to see those
little tots running their fingers. over
those raised dots and reading in Il
way pleasant to listen to. The little
/. fellows seemed SO animated and eager
and evidently got SO much enjoyment
as well as information out Of 1t. tina
I was fascinated will, the exercise
Next came two classes in languages.
The Slittle boys and girls had thought
out stories Which they, told in their
owns language. They rectted poems,
volunteered to retell stories read by
the teacher for the first, time. learned
some simple grammatical forms. etc.
Then followed in succession two
classes in numbers in which the pupils
were learning to add. subtract. multi
ply, and divide orally and ~ rapidly
as possible. Little problems were Civ
en-, and short tables We're recited.
There a a class learning torwrite
point" or raised print. called re
vised Braille. A steel frame. or slate
IL used for. a guide. and the points are
made in tough MANILA paper with O
steel brad-s6xed in g. wooden handle
i The steachera would dictate sentences
Ito be written, the pupils would write
them. then. after several had beer
written, the papers would be turned
over and read by the pupils and mis-.
takes found and corrected. 1t is SUR
prising how rapidly some of the Older
pupils can write in this way.
In the afternoon there were otnel
classes In reading. writing, and mum
bers till $3.50 O'Clock.
Among ,the Higher Grades
During this same time there were
classes reciting in the intermediate
grades. There were more advanced
Glasses in reading, spelling, arithmetic
geography. language physiology, and
M Justsafter dinner. q class doing raffis
work This class worked one houl
per day making small, yet beautiful
BASKETS, out Ola kind OF fber callet
SraffiA, which was wound around rat
s and ~'fashihoned into variouI
shapes. The teacher informed m,
that this work cu1tivates close atten
ttoI1. and trains the fingers and hant
dosdeft, rapid work. It is especial
@ly1yaluable to the blind. as they de
so much on the sense of touch
II q valuable as pre-vocationa
and strengthens the fingers ant
hands for piano tuning, weaving
fepOm making, typewriting etc.
IsSs Inttf1ere wa a sign of WEAKNESS. o
attention laEged a little, the pupil
ssSAere asked to stand. the windows an,
ldocrs weresopened wide. and th
F.-ar HSEya-rJ