University of Southern Mississippi - Southerner Yearbook (Hattiesburg, MS)

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Uhr iKPle11inn nf fhv Svrhnnl in thv Zliartnrz Arnunh 111 LILLIAN RAMSEY JASPER COUNTY U R purpose in studying the country school should be twofold. Realizing that a school which is quite up-to-date at first, unless there is a continual recon- struction, will soon become inadequate, we must study ways to avoid this. Then we should study how to make the school a real social efficiency. Since the school is only a supplementary agency, its success will depend on its ability to join with other educational forces of the community and work with them. There is a close relation existing between the school and home, and unless the two co-operate much progress cannot be expected. Their common aim is the efficient training of the child, for both have an important part in the process. The school represents the development of the community. The New Englanders started the school in order that their children might learn to read the Scriptures and thus get right ideas of their religious duty. Even after this idea gave way, the schools for years did little more than teach the use of the mere tools of knowledge. Then came the idea that the school should train children for citizenship. , The purpose of each study added to the course was to make better citizens. At last the idea is that the schools must train the child to fill its place in the world of men, to see all the relations of lifeg to be fitted to live in human society. Hence the idea is to train the child, not for himself alone, but for the good of society as a whole, not only this, but to train society itself as a whole. The first means of making the school a social center is through the course of study-not the introduction of new studies, but the teaching of the old studies in such a way as to make them seem vital and human. Another means of making the rural school a social center is through the social activities of the pupils. After the school building and grounds have been made beautiful and attractive this will become a social meeting place. There must be organized play. If this is lacking the young people will be found at the cheap amuse- ments in the town and city. Lastly, as a method for making the school a social center, is the suggestion that the teacher himself shall become a leader of club work, organization etc., in the farm community. He should lead in inspiring every one to read better books, buy better pictures, and take more interest in the things that make for culture and pro- gress. The problem of the rural school teacher, therefore, is the problem of accept- ing conditions as they now exist-and of converting the rural school from decay and inactivity into a living, vital force for rural progress . LILLIAN RAMSEY

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1 A . Eurail Qiztnrg in thr Chrahrz EMILY NUNNERY f COPIAH COUNTY HE first and foremost aim of historical study is to make the world about us more intelligible. To realize this aim local history is invaluable as a starting point. Instruction in history should begin at home, broaden into wider fields and then come back home. The fundamental requisite of history teaching, making REAL the past, is best obtained through reality itself, or through material things, a wealth of which exists everywhere for the resourceful teacher. He should study the community, county and state in which he teaches and turn to account the material he finds there- people, schools, churches, industries, Indian remains, old swords, battlefields, and bones of noted persons, which are invaluable in making vivid impressions on the child's mind. By having his attention called to these things the child will, at an early age, realize the idea of CHANGE in the world. Ask him if white people have always lived here with homes, schools and churches. Other questions finally lead him back to the idea that no white man lived here at one time. Then, who did live here? How do you know? There are Indian mounds, arrowheads, bones, streams with names of Indian chiefs or tribes all around him to suggest the answer. What were the Indians like? Have simple descriptions from pictures, etc. Much construction work can be done in teaching the primitive life of the Indians. Have the child construct wigwams, bows and arrows, build indian villages, etc. Their simple industries such as modeling clay vessels, weaving mats, are both interesting and instructive. Tell stories Indians told about themselves, the many beautiful myths and legends. With primitive life as a back ground, teach the child the pioneer life of his own people. This he can comprehend easily. Few books are as yet accessible: but the teacher should give these pioneer stories in the lower grades if possible. From the beginning this work can be correlated with geography. Industrial history is a new field and one that bids fair to revolutionize our methods of teaching. Have the child make illustrative booklets showing the de- velopment of industries of his community and use them for exhibition in Field Day ggntests. Constructive work can be done in this study as in that of primitive Indian 1 e. After this preparatory work, the child easily comprehends the course in State History in higher grammar grades. He studies the development of every phase of the State's history, sees the problems that comfront the people at the present time. and realizes that he, as a citizen of to-morrow, must help to solve these problems. I Having learned to live the local past vividly, the child can carry his 'lex- perience over and live the larger past vividly. Community history therefore is ,the key to the larger past for the child, and a realization of the larger past makesiithe world around him more intelligible. EMILY NUNNERY

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Tlhr iiarvnt-Elearheru' Aaanriaiinn in the illural Glummunitg ALMA RAE coPlAH COUNTY' H E N we consider the aims, and the purpose it accomplishes, there can be no doubt but that a Parent-Teachers' Association is a good thing in the Rural Community. Such clubs have received the endorsement of prominent edu- cators all over the country. Charles A. McMurry says: The purpose of the National Congress of Mothers to bring parents and school into closer relations is so important and so essential to our social well-being at the present time that we cannot overesti- mate it. The schools are suffering from lack of strong moral support from the homes. Success in club work is like success in any other line. It should have its plans made out before beginning the work. The reason clubs or associations do not accomplish as much as they should is because they have no definite purpose. The purposes of the Association are: to study the childg to bring into closer relation the home, the school and the community so that parents and teachers may co-operate intelligently in the education of the child: to raise the standard of home life, and to arouse the whole community to a sense of its duty and responsibility to the child. Among other values to be derived from the association are the following: gives chance for co-operation by means of exchanging information, thoughts, and carrying out of plan suggested, encourages group spirit, works for good of communityg gives opportunity for teacher and parent to know each other better: and gives the teacher a knowledge of the child's home environment, which enables her to help him more. The best place to meet is in the school building. Notice of the meeting may be sent the parents, and announced from the pulpit. If local talent of a musical or literary order may be secured and announced in connection with the opening meeting, it adds to the probability of a large attendance. When meeting is called to order a temporary chairman is appointed, officers are elected, and committees are appointed. The duty of one committee being to prepare a constitution and by-laws, to report at next meeting. Phe association should meet not less than once a month. At the meetings topics of vital importance pertaining to children and child life should be dis- cussed. In these discussions the parents and health officer should be called upon to take an active part. Clf further information is desired, it may be had by writing to the State President, Mrs. J. B. Lawrence, Jackson, Miss.J A report, however small, should be sent to the county paper, so the public will know what the association is doing. The size of club is not always measured by the number of people in it. A few of the right kind may be a great dynamic force. ALMA REA.