OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13958, 18 July 1907, Page 3

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN.

•FOR SENIORS AND JUNIORS. [Conducted by llagisieb, to whom all communications must be addressed.] [MAOISM* nill be : !id to rewire Nitur. Boles, marked nupers containing educational urfclet, disgraras, details of experiments,' etc, •f'scholastic interest to teachers jnd pupili. Correspondents using i pen name must »l«o tod usuat and »e!dr«s.] EDUCATION IN AMERICA.

In tho Teachers' Times there is appearing a eenes of nrticles on American schools, end one lately published is headed " Individuality." Them is no doubfthai modern education requires individual teaching, and therefore small classes; and as an aid the individual desk is an essential. We pride ourselves upon being in the forefront in everything that makes for efficiency, but I am afraid that our hats are;rather larger than tho contents of our heads require, quality being considered. To show what is being done in the United States, I am giving a quotation or two frojrt tho article. After saying that "individuality is, moro than any other ono word, the keystone to Amorican education to-day," and showing that teachers study the idiosyncracies of pupile, tho writer points out that there are two outstanding factors accessary to sccuro good results: — "Tho first of these is the size of Ihe dosses, which almost universally is , smaller than that common in England. Rarely will you find a. class of 50 or more; 45 .is apologised for as a large cla6s, 40 i 6 regarded as being as many as one teacher can Conveniently handle, and 30 is looked forward to as the: ideal. Comparo these numbers with those that still we [ar too frequent in our own country, and one reason •why tho needs of each child can be moro easily understood and provided for can be qujckly grasped. Jt is probably beyond any one person's jjowcr to know every one of 40, children well, even in the space of tho ono year during which alone, in many schools, they remain under ono teacher, l)u.t some approximation to full knowledge can be reached; beyond that number the difficulty increases in geometrical progresEidn. And knowledge alone is not sufficient; for its application time is necessary, certainlv in the first instance, though later time may be saved; but the larger the class the groatcr tho demand on the teacher's timo and energy, and the less there is to bo fipared for tentatively applying euch knowledge as may have been gained.

"Another factor, of almost equal impDrtauce, is tho universal prevalence' of the single desk. This in itself makes for smaller classes, since a room to hold 60 or 70 singio' deska properly spaced would be largo enough to bring homo to oven the strongest. defender of tho large class—he rarely shows his head nowadays—some of the difficulties involved. With tho children thus spaced out in separate desks, arranged in rows 'with plenty of passage room between, tho individuality of each child teems borne in upon the sight of tho teacher. And tho pupil himeolf can got none of. that surreptitious aid from his fellow, the prevention of which often absorbs much of some teachers' energies; whilst the teacher can get more readily to one, and sometimes talk more freely ,without calling him forth from hie fellows,'than is possible witli tlio dual-desk system—and this tells much in aiding the pupil's self-respect." Tho writer then proceeds to p*int out that, as a result of this individualism children aro trainod to express themselves freely and effectively :— "And not only is there this general tendency to consider tho needs of each child, but many : of the methods adopted' in teaching tend'also to the assertion of individuality. All the way up thrc tho elementary school, from' quite the youngest grades, children aro trained to stand before the class and eay short recitatione, or'.tell stories, learnt or oven composed by themselves. Much could bo written on this lino of work, and some of it is certainly open to discussion, but here tho , point to bo considered is that thisstanding forth of the child from his fellows to do a piece of work which will be subject to tho of others may provo an important factor in the development of <i truer sonso of eolf, and will almost inevitably lead to a truer confidence in one's own powers. And this comes out moro clearly in the oritioisms of j.work done which are often asked for from other members of the class, and which arc generally frankly and fairly given. These criticisms aro themselves liable to be discussed by 'others,, or to bo tempered by the toachor in, her finaJ summary. Whether much of this ntay not, under unskilful direction, lead to an over-accentuation-of self-consciousness is a question well worthy, of ponsidcroition. Again, children mo more generally expected to stand up and give lengthy answers to questions put to thorny to talk freely upon their foot than is the case in English schools; and the answers to given aro liablo io criticism on tho part of other pupils or by tho teaohor. And it is.no uncommon thing to give certain members of tho class a definite piece of work to do and toll them to como to tho next lesson, or a week later, prepared to toll tho class what they have learnt on this matter. The oonfidenoo and readiness with which boys and girls of 12 or 13 years of ago,will come forward and give the results of their study speaks well for th 6 system, whatever criticisms may bo passed upon it. From one point of view the child is learning to know himself, to roaliso himself, as it were, as against tho other members of the class." This freedom of expression is what Mr Marshall advocated so. strongly in the experimental scionce lesson he gavo before the Teachers' Instituto iast week.

• A MOTHER'S' LOVE. You nil read with horror the details of tho torriblofiro which took place at Port Chalmers a week or so ago. What can bo moro pathetic, and at the same time what tan show more a. mother's love than iho following yimplo statement, which appeared in the Times report of the sad occurrence?-- 1 Hero in the bedrom was ft /jitiful- sight. 'Die mother, clasping her four-year-old son /tightly in her arms, ■lay crouched in a corner. Tho woman had evidently tried to shield tho child's body with her own, for she was oharred all down the right side, and the child, which was under her left breast, though dead, was only blistered."

I think it was last year I gave a selection of extracts ha.ving "Mother" as their subject, and a reader asked mo if I had «£iy more. Since then I have- put aside 601110-short pieces I havo como across, intending ito make a couple of columns of thorn somo day. but I cannot resist giving you some of them now. I am sure you will bo nono the worse for reading them, ami they may cause- you to be a little moro thoughtful and considerate in helping her. Your Mother—Do Not Forget. To manifest an interest in whatever inieresls or amuses her. To seek her comfort and pleasnro in all things before your own. Not to forget that, though die is old and wrinkled, sho still lovos pretty things.

To make her froqnont ainyplo presents wid to bs sure that they axe appropriate and tasteful.

lo remember that she is still a girl at 'heart eo (ar as delicate little attentions aro coucorned.

To give her your full confidence, and never to do anything which you think uhc would disapprove.

To make her i parla&or, so far as your different ages will permit, iu all yolir pleasures and recreations. To lilt all iho burdens you can from shoulders that have grown stooped in waiting upon and working for you. Never 1o intimate by word or deed that your world and hers are different, or that you foci in any way superior to her. To treat her with the unvarying courtesy mid deference you accord to those who are above you in rank or position. U'o Btudy her tastes and habits, her likes and dislikes, and cater to them as far a.-t possible in an unobtrusive way. To bear patiently with all her peculiarities or infirmities of temper or disposition, which may be the result of a life of care and toil. To remember that her life if monotonous compared willftyoura, and k> Inlie her to some suitable place of amusement, or for a little trip to the country, or to the city if your home is in the country, as frequently as ■possible.—" Success."

Where's Mother? Bursting in from school or play, This is what tho children say; Trooping, crowding, big mid sinill, On the thresifvdd, in the. hallJoining in the constant cry, Ever ha the du-ys gx> by, "Where's mother?" From the weary bed of pain This same question comes again; From tho boy with eparkling eyes, Bearing home hie earliest prize; From the bronzed and bearded son, Perils past and honours won; "Where's mother?" Burdened with % lonely task, One day we lmvy vainly ask For the comfort of her face, For the rest of her embrace; Let us love her while wo may, Well fo.r us that we can eay, "Where's mother?" Mother with untiring hands At the post of duty stands, Patient, seeking not her own, Anxious for the good alone Of the children as they cry, Ever ae tho days go by, "Where's mother?"

Only One Mother. Hundreds of gtars in tho pretty sky Hundreds of sheik on the shore together Hundreds of birds that go staging by, ' _ Hundreds of bees in tho sunny weatherHundreds of dowdjops to greet the morn Hundreds of lambs in tSe crimson clover, Hundreds of butterflies on tho lawn, But only one mother, the wide world over.

THERMOMETER READINGS. Both "Pater" in the Witness and myself have been trying to get teachers and otnwa to send in tliormometrical and barometrical readings, but hitherto with little success Perhaps if wo modify our plan a little we might succeed better, though to achieve cot purpose a maximum and minimum thermometer is required for the former purpose. Lately "Pater-" had a return sent from tho MataJuuiui School, and a. , lad sent to mo readings'made at i the Matakajiui Station. ■ "Pater" has handed his over to me, and I have modified Master Laidlaws. These are tho tables and the letter sent by Mr Jaot:- i

Schoql, Matakanui, June 20, 1907. Dear Magister/'-EncloEed you will find the-information you were asking for concerning the maximum and minimum temperature in Central Otago for Juno to date. Wo have now a collection of daily records of barometer readings and maximum and minimum thermometer readings for the past 12 months, and ehouia be extremely pleased if we could exchange either figures of graphs with any other school; The monthly summaries of weather observations that are published in tho Witness and Daily Times are very useful {or comparative purposes, but daily records from another school, especially from one near tho sea coast, would provo far more instructive. —I am, yours truly,

James A. Jack. At Matakanui, Central Otago.| Maximum temperature during day of June 3, 54deg. Minimum temperature during night of Juno 14 and night of Juno 19, 19deg. Maximum temperature ivt 9 a.m. on Juno 22, 4Gd«g. . Minimum temperature at 9 tun. on June 20, 2-kleij. Average temperature at 9 a.m. for 28 days 31deg. ■ . ' ' James A. Ja.ck.

Ifatakanui Station, July 1, 1907. Dear " Magista,"—The fol)owing'is a record of temperatures for the month of June— minimum'-trad maximum, Fahrenheit—taken by my father:— -

Data for June, 30days. Minimum. Hdeg. F., or 18deg. of frost. ■ This occurred twice—2lat apd 25th. Average daily Mdeg. Maximum, 57deg.—on the 23th. Average daily maximum. 43dcg. I Bhall be pleased to let you have the temperatures for July should you wish to have them.—Yours truly, Russell Roberts Lajdlaw. Though tho school and 6tation are hear each other, it will be 6een that tho records show considerable difference. Why? Elevation? Direction of winds or hill or mountain ranges? Dunedin records do .not go below 4 degrees of frost as far as I know, though within short distances temperatures vary greatly. There were heavy frosts at the Botanical Gardens when, ■through elevation or eomo other cause, thoro were no frosts up the Leith Valley. Do any of mj readers take sunshine records? Thcro arc places in the Woodhaugh and the North-East Valleys where, in tho middlo of winter, there is not more than an hour's sunshine, while in other places close at- hand seven hours of sunshine wcro registered on the same day. Sond along records, please, and help to l&ako comparisons.

I shall Ik) glad if Master Laidlaw will Bond in his records monthly, giving tho details as they appear in this issue. . CORRESPONDENCE. J., Uimu, sends the following. It should have- appeared before. Will some ono confirm or criticise J.'s statements?: Dear " Magister,"—l am reporting to you. on iseeing, on .the 23th June, a pair of yellow hampers, milo and female. I think" it i 3 rare in New Zealand. This is toe first I have seen. It is a harmless bird, and mostly seen iu pairs at all times. It is one of the bunting family;, best known in Scotland as yellow yite.

THE "CALL-BIRD." Dr Fulton and others havo scathingly denounced the gun fiends who shoot ruthloKly. It seems that, with migratory birds, to shoot the first of the season ie at times a. madness that tho most raconscionable shooter has found out to t«ll immediately against himself. In tho Argus 601110 weeks ago there was an interesting article- on the " Gall-bird," the forerunnor of its kind, and as I-imagine my birdJoving readers will bo interested too I give- extracts from it. Tlii6 article was sent to me by two readers, one in Melbourne, tho other here in Duncdin. I am much obliged to both:—

"The moro ono studies tho habits of birds the more wonderful tho perfectly natural scorns. It is tho nature, for instance, of the nightingale to spend the greater [art of the year iii tho junglo fastnesses of tho Gold Coast country and other regions unfamiliar te tho majority, of mankind; to visit, certain parts of Europo in the spring for brooding purposes; and to arrive and depart with a regularity that is positively inecha-moal in its consistency. On tho same day of-tho eumo month of each year the advance guard of the nightingale tribe- may be looked for in England; and their legion of followers may bo expected to come in more straggling order when the sanctuary for the season has been located by tho '6coute.' Tho exactitude of the whole enterprise in toniing tho great distance to bo traversed each year is wonderful, even when it is recognised that the birds ai;o impelled by instinct alone, but thcro is something that baffles and perplexes in tho still more wonderful fact that the main body of tho tribe como with unerring directness to the very spot (selected by tho pioneers in the long and perilous flight. Tho oaU-bird of the snipe makes its wonderful journey to Australia—probably all covering tho 10,000 miles from Siberia in tho courso of two or throo weeks— generally about tho middle of our spring, and may continue right on to tho interior of the continent before landing. There may bo two or three or more of these birds. They seek flat, moist country, where there aro swamp and grass and 'reed* ami the conditions are specially adapted for their curious methods of feeding by suction. Tho strangest tiling about tho feiiipc ie the mysterious, manner in which the call-birds are followed by the rest of the family or not, according to what has happened to the Jcadors. The avorago eager sportsman who goes forth with tho object of achioving the inglorious distinction of securing "the fiert enipo of the season," and having the marvellous feat, duly recorded iu the local newspaper, probably knows nothing , of what is involved in the enterprise. The man who '-.i* studied the b.iWte nf the bird, no

matter how eager he may be to shoot some of the spring visitors before his neighbours succeed, will always restrain his ardour in regard to the first; few members of the family seen. This is not because tiio naturalist in him is stronger than the sportsman; tihe reason is more sordid than that. Unless ho is a tyro ho knows that to kill the call-bird is to destroy all nros]joct o[ further eport, so far ;\s snipeshooting is concerned, for the year in that particular district. Ho knows—and this is one of the most marvellous of flic natural instincts of the- snipe—that if he kills the call-bird the family of which it is hut tho forerunner will not arrive feat season. I There would appear to Iμ some sort of telepathic current of understanding subsisting between tho fow birds which come ahead in tho great journey from one country to another, At all events, even Instinct does not seem to satiefactorily account for tho fact thiit the tribe never land in the locality in which tho first arrivals have been killed. Tho family may bo in full flight for the destination indicated by the scoute which liavo gone ahead, and yot if. tho latter should meet with disaster tho soleotod locality will not be visited by the remainder. What hapy/ens to the tribe- in tho event of their enterprise being disorganised in that matter is as much enshrouded in mystery as ie the power wliioli tho call-bird, while perhaps thousands of mijes awav, appears to exercise over tihe flight of tho tribe,"