Child Study Meetings.
KANSAS SOCIETY FOR CHILD STUDY.

Thursday, December 29, 2 P.M. THE TROUBLESOME CHILD IN SCHOOL. --There is some one child in every school-room who is most troublesome. (1) What does he do? (2) Why does he do so? .(3) Can he do otherwise? I., Papers, fifteen minutes each: 1, Principal C. W. Myers, Kansas City; 2, Miss Beth Warner, Topeka: 3, Superintendent W. J. Hull, Iola. II., Special Discussions, ten minutes each: 1, Superintendent J. H. Glotfelter, Atchison; 2, Superintendent M. E. Dolphin, Leavenworth; 3, Superintendent L. A. Lowther, Emporia. III., General Discussions, five minutes each: led by, 1, President A. R. Taylor, Emporia; 2, Professor A. S. Olin, Lawrence.

OSCAR CHRISMAN,

President.

Professor Skinner have become intimately associated with all that is good and progressive in education. A lover of children, he became at once int rested in the new movement of child siudy, and has shown that interest by his service as one of the directors of the Nebraska Society for Child Study, by the dozen or more articles written for this department, and by his studies and publications, which show an understanding and appreciation of the true feelings and thoughts of the child. The death of such men leaves a void that can never be filled.

At a convocation of the faculty and students of the University of Nebraska the following resolutions were adopted:

Resolred, That in the death of Wells Hawkes Skinner, A.B. in 1896, A. M. in 1898, from this university, the institution mourns the loss of one of the most beloved of its alumni; that the school men of the state will miss one of their most generous and able leaders; that the world of educational literature, already enriched by Mr. Skinner's contributions, will never know what further treasures it would have possessed from his pen; that the youth of the state lose one of their most beloved and inspiring teachers

Resolved, That we extend to his bereaved family our heartfelt sympathy.

Resolred, That we commend to all good citizens of Nebraska his example of unselfishness, in which, like that of the Master of men, he saved others; himself be could not save.

Nebraska Child Study Society.

December 28, 1898.
PART I. THE MORAL AND RELIGIOU'S TRAINING OF

CHILDREN.
2:00, Opening Address, The Effect of Street Life and
Companionship, Supt. H. E. Kratz, Sioux City, Ia. 2:30,
From the Standpoint of the Church and Sunday School,
Supt. J. W. Dinsmore, Beatrice, Neb. 2:40, From the
Standpoint of the Home, Mrs. H. H. Wilson, Lincoln,
Neb. 2:50, From the Standpoint of the School, Supt.
A. V. Louderback, Wymore, Neb. 3:00. From the
Standpoint of the Children's Reading and Literature,
Supt. A. A. Reed, Crete, Neb. 3:10, Effect of Health
on Morality, Dr. J. F. Stevens, Lincoln, Neb.

PART II.

Mary Sheldon Barnes. 3:30, General discussion to be devoted to answering

(Omitted from Editorial] the following questions: 1, What are the three most important considerations in the moral and religious

Every student of history, together with a training of children? 2. What are the three most pow- large body of teachers, will be pained to learn erful agents in lowering the moral tone of the com- of the sudden death of Mrs. Mary Sheldon munity? All speeches in the general discussion will be Barnes, which occurred in London, Eng., Aulimited to five minutes.

gust 27. She and her husband, Professor Earl

Barnes, resigned their professorships at StanWells Hawkes Skinner.

ford University, the former from the departOmitted from Editorial]

ment of history, the latter from the head of The teachers of Nebraska will be painel to The department of Pedagogy, to spend two learn of the death of Supt. W. H. Skinner, of years abroad in srudy and travel. Mrs. Barnes Nebraska City, which occurred at the home of had spent the past year mostly in Italy and Supt. C. G. Pearse, Omaha, Neb., September Southern France, and but a short time before 21. Professor Skinner was on his way to

her death bad returned to London to resume Schuyler, Neb., where he had been engaged to her work in the British Museum and be with conduct the county institute when taken sud- her husband during his series of lectures on eddenly ill with typhoid fever and was unable to ucation and child study in the London Unirally.

versity. No one will be more greatly missed by the Mrs. Barnes was the daughter of Dr. E. A. teachers of the state. The life and work of Sheldon, the revered president of the Oswego,

New York State Normal, whose death occurred wrole the work shows careful preparation and most about one year ago. She was especially edu- excellent judgment. The book is of sufficient value to cated in the languages, besides her knowledge

be added at once to every teacher's library. of Latin and Greek, being able to converse in

2. Ciud CONFIDENCE REWARDED, By Mary

Wood Allen, M.D. Pp. 19. Price, 10 French, German, Italian, and Spanish almost as

cents. freely as in English; but she will be remem

The aim of this little booklet is to show the practical bered on account of her work in history. For results of teaching children the truth in regard to the many years she was the pioneer of the move- origin of life. It gives Mrs Allen's plan of presenting ment now becoming popular, known as the

such knowledge and the age at which it inay be “Source Method” of teaching history. Her

imparted. writings are many and valuable. Among the

3. TEACHING TRUTH, By Mary Wood Allen, better known are “Studies in General History,"

M.D. Pp. 24. Price, 25 cents.

The aim of this book is to answer, in chaste and “Studies in American History," and "Studies

scientific language, the queries of children as to the in His orical Method." The last has endeared

origin of life." A suggestive little pamphlet showing her to all students of childhood. She will be

how children may be given proper information in regreatly missed by the student world, and the gard to the oncoming of adolescence without arousing influence of her life will live through the ages.

morbid curiosity.

4. ALMOST A Man, By Mary Wood Allen, New Books.

M.D., 1995. Pp. 42. Price, 25 cents. 1. CLASSIFIED READING, By Isabel Lawrence,

A frank talk to a boy who was “almost a man,” re

garding the nature and function of sex and the proper Superintendent of Training Department, Normal School, St. Cloud, Minn. Pub

use to be made of the opportunities of life. The book lished by the Author, 1898. Pp. 423.

is intended as a guide to mothers and teachers in inPrice, $1.50.

telligently instructing the young adolescent concerning

himself. As stated on the title page, this volume contains a classified list of “Books for the School, the Home, and

5. ALMOST A WOMAN, By Mary Wood Allen, the Library," with a full Bibliography of Edncation, M.D., 1897. Pp. 46. Price, 25 cents. and is without doubt one of the most valuable books A counterpart of “almost a man,” and aims to imthat has appeared from the Press in many a day. part in a pure and attractive form the knowledge Every superintendent and almost every teacher knows needed by a young maiden. how important it is to have at his command a good All the above books by Dr. Allen are pnblished by bibliography covering the various subjects of educa- the Wood Allen Publishing Co., Ann Arbor, Mich., tion. Miss Lawrence has given many years in an effort and cover very similar ground. We have called attento prepare such a book, and for the most part has suc. tion to them here because of the many requests from ceeded admirably. The book treats only of English mothers for help along this line. Usually parents bereferences and aims to classify the material on Geog- come aroused when it is too late. The giving of sex raphy, History, English, Nature Study, etc., both in information at the right tiine and in the right way is reference to the grade of the children and to subject of vital importance to the future life of every individmatter. The bibliography of Psychology, Pedagogy, ual. This delicate task belongs properly to the parent, and Child Study is outlined by topics and will be and should not be delegated to others and above all to found equally helpful. A rather hurried examination the immoral. For this reason parents should study the of the work has shown some important omissions and a problem as never before and hand over the duty to a few mistakes, and I presume no one will wholly agree trusted friend only when they are out of sympathetic with the author in her classifications and explanatory touch with their own children. We hope to present notes (the most helpful part of the book), but on the other references along this line later.

OUTSIDE EDUCATIONAL FORCES DEPARTMENT

MRS. FRANCES M, FORD, Editor

TH

HE list of topics for discussion suggested sion during the year, and the State Federation

to the women's clubs of Massachusetts by is expected to devote its first meeting in the fall

the educational committee of the State to the subject of education, taking as many of Federation is a very complete one.

Clubs are

these topics as the time will permit. Here is asked to choose certain topics from it for discus- the outline:

1.

3.

Order. (Mechanical duties. Neatness. Manners

Diligence.

Silence, etc. and

Necessity of moral morals.

Moral training. training.

(Incidental opportunities. Methods. Fixed time and plan for

instruction Means of æsthetic culture. Nature studies.

Sweeping. Care of rooms. Dusting. Household

(Ventilation, etc. economics. Cooking.

( Making. Why.

When. Manual training.

Where.

How.
Compulsory How help those too poor to
attendance. attend comfortably.
Day nurseries and kindergartens.

Kindness to animals.

5

Sewing. Mend.ng.

6.

7.

9.

How teach

Respect for Persons.

Patriotism.

10.

What shall children read!

The school ( Its location and surroundings:

paid in Londlious or fees a sum of not less than building. Proper furnishings, Its sanitary conditions.

$5 he receives a diploma, which gives him a vote Punctuality.

in the state league. The town league consists of the officers of the local league, and the state league depends for its membership upon delegates from the town leagues and members of local leagues holding diplomas as before stated.

A carefully selected list of books is put into the hands of each local league. This list is divided into fifteen sections, each containing seventeen books. The funds of the league are used first, to purchase one of these little libraries, each of which, by the way, contains history, biography, science, travels, and fiction.

These books are loaned to the members and Property.

are subjects for class study, for outlines, and (Philanthropy.

discussions. At the close of each term arrangeThe necessity of Skilled supervision. Employing trained teachers.

ments are made to exchange books with the

nearest local league, and when the books of any If there were a few more men like Slate given league have been in the hands of every Supt. W. W. Stetson, of Maine, the Woman's

other league in the town for a term they are Club and all other folks who talk about school

returned to the league which purchased them reform might find themselves without a text.

and become its permanent property. For Superintendent Stetson believes in reform

In like manner each local league is expected ing the school from the inside, and to that end

to purchase at least two pictures and one piece he proposes “The School Improvement Leagues of statuary. It makes these the basis of study of Maine," whose purpose he states to be:

and passes them on term by term until they 1. To improve school buildings and grounds. have visited all the leagues of the town, when

2. To furnish suitable reading matter for they are returned to ornament the school room pupils and people.

of the original possessor. 3. To provide works of art for schoolrooms. Local leagues are asked to give entertain

These leagues are of three kinds: local, town, ments to raise funds for the beautifying of school and state. The local league is the organization grounds and buildings, and it is suggested that in the single school. It may contain pupils, when it is found impossible to induce the town teachers, school officials, and citizens. Its pres- to put school yards in proper condition by ident is the teacher in charge of the school, and planting shrubs, plants, and flowers, the league the secretary and treasurer are elected on the organize“ bees” and do the work. This advice first Tuesday of each term. The membership applies also to the cleaning of the school room. fee for pupils joining the league is not less than one cent a month, and that of all other members One who attended the recent conference of is not less than ten cents a term. Certificates Charities and Corrections at Omaha might easof membership are signed by the state superin- ily have supposed himself in a convention of tendent, the superintendent of schools of the pedagogues, so constantly did the phrases famtown in which the league is situated, and the iliar to the “new education” pass about from teacher in charge of the school. By this speaker to speaker. “Individuality,” “Natarrangement the pupil becomes an integral part ural Tendencies," ** The Kindergarten, Manual of a whole system while working under local Tra'ning,” were the watch words of the conferconditions and for local purposes. He has an ence, and very suitably so, for they stand for a opportunity, too, to acquire some power in the child and his best development. Surely the government of the whole body, for when he has normal child is the hope of society, and the best

*

theories and the best methods in education are and the board of directors öf-thë geitetai federhis rights. But the abnormal, deficient, or de- ation are to be in attendance, and several of linquent child is the menace of society, and the them will give addresses. The National Housevery best that can be done for him is none too hold Economic Association will occupy October good. “The best is the cheapest ” and the sur- 13th and 14th with programs devoted to the est in his case.

things of the home. Dr. W. P. Hale, of Toledo, Ohio, made a The fourth week of October will also be strong plea for industrial training in the public given to congresses of women. The Jewish school. “Our schools,” said Dr. Hale, "are Council of women will occupy Monday, October equipped for the merest minority. Nine out of 24, and the W. C. T. U. the 25th, while the ten boys go into industrial pursuits, yet our National Council, with its score of great auxschool courses are arranged to meet the require- iliary organizations, will hold sessions throughment of the one boy who goes into professional out the entire week. life. Our prisons are filled with men who never learned to do a practical thing. It is an From a recent number of the Philadelphia ancient idea of ours that education makes a man Medical Journal we take the following: “The good. Education ought to make a man inde Federation of Women's Clubs has a departpendent, and independence ought to keep a man ment devoted to the study of Household Ecofrom being bad. We want an aristocracy of nomics. The chairman is an educated woman usefulness, not an aristocracy of education." physician and the work is carried on in a scien

Dr. Horace Fletcher had for his subject, tific manner. They wish to interest women in “Social Quarantine,” which he declared to be health so that each may become a sanitarian in nothing more or less than the kindergarten. her own home. They study how to prepare “Give me enough kindergartens,” he said, food for health and economy, and they give "and within a few years I will do away with special attention to the intelligent and scientific the need for a police force.” Dr. Fletcher cited care of children, so that infant mortality may the testimony of the police of San Francisco, be decreased. They are trying to improve where the record shows 9,000 children from the average home conditions, and to solve the dopoorer districts of the city who were placed in mestic problem. The chairman, in her report, Mrs. Cooper's early kindergartens. Not one of says: “The art of furnishing a home in a santhem has ever been under arrest. "Real hap- itary and economical manner is more valuable piness,” said Dr. Fletcher, “consists in con- than Byzantine or Phoenician art, and the scious usefulness.” Is not that a maxim worth chemistry of cooking is more fascinating and considering in dealing with children?

more necessary than Browning.'

“Schools of domestic science bave been esFrom the 8th to the 15th of October a series tablished in various parts of the country. A of important meetings of women will occur in competent instructor is provided, who gives a connection with the exposition at Omaha. The preliminary talk on food-values and the best first will be the Mothers' Congress, arranged method of securing digestible food. Then the and presided over by Mrs. Theodore Birney, class of young girls immediately put into pracpresident of the National Congress of Mothers. tice what they have been taught. The clubAmong the speakers for this congress are Mrs. women believe that cooking is a science, and Mary H. Weeks, of Kansas City, and Miss they think a housekeeper should depend upon Elizabeth Harrison and Miss Amalie Hofer, of a knowledge of physical and chemical facts inChicago. This congress will convene on the stead of upon guesswork. The chief aim of 8th and continue to the 10th. On the 11th the these cooking schools is to teach the poor how Nebraska Federation of Women's Clubs will to live more comfortably; but many of the girls convene, and the Trans-Mississippi Congress of who are taught become servants before they Clubs will open its sessions on the 12th to con- have homes of their own, and incidentally the tinue them for two days. The national officers mistresses who employ them are helped.