VI—MODERN IMPROVEMENTS IN CHILDREN'S EDUCATION
One of the most important of recent events is the establishing by the government of a Federal Children's Bureau, for the expert study of the conditions of childhood, and suggestions for its betterment. This included among other things, the outlook over their education.
The new school-houses built both in city and country are finer than have existed before, and the ideas of education are widening daily. Clubs should take up some of the following subjects:
The health of school children; what is being done to improve it? Study the new sanitation and ventilation of school-houses; the disappearance of the common drinking cup; the doctor's care of eyes, teeth, throats, spines and ears; the supply of breakfasts to the under fed; the out-of-door schools for tubercular pupils; the training in cleanliness.
The vocational schools in thirty states, with manual training, domestic arts, industrial work and agriculture. Also vocational guidance in choosing a business; finding situations, etc. The schools for exceptional children, the foreigner, the backward, the crippled, the blind, the epileptic, the morally defective.
The Montessori system; is it successful? Compare with the kindergarten.
The training in patriotism; saluting the flag; birthdays of great men, etc.
The graded country school of to-day; compare with "the little red school-house." School play grounds in city and country. Gymnasiums. Athletic fields. Close with a discussion: What is the standing of your local school? Do teacher and parent work together? Is the school board doing its best?
VII—MODERN MUNICIPAL ART
Municipal art, is art applied to cities. Its aim is to build up an entire city with a view to symmetry, beauty and utility.