BOOK NOTES "French of Today," by Pierre De Bacourt and John W. Cunliffe. This book comprises a collection of readings from French newspapers, collected by two professors of French journalism of Columbia University. The articles were selected for the purpose of giving people an insight into French lift and thought, as well as exercises for students in French translation. It is taken for granted that students using the book have had two or three years of French. The articles have excellent literary value better, possibly, than can be found in any American or English newspaper. There is also an interesting and valuable article on "The Development of the French Press," by Mr. Pierre De Bacourt. Price $1.50. Macmillan Co., New York. "Working Composition." By John B. Opdycke, Head of the Department of English, Julia Richman High School, New York City. D. C. eHath & Co., publishers. $1.28. This book is unique. The author seems to have discovered that the vast majority of high school pupils will have to earn their own living. He has made a book that teaches that the effective use of English is one of the essential elements of success. In doing this he has rendered a service to both teacher and taught; for oral or written expression is the medium by which the youth influences his companions, his employer, and those to whom he sells his services or his wares. The book is filled with the spirit of work and of success. The first chapter is upon the subject of Work, and contains a vast amount of good sense set forth in forcible English and calling for practical oral and written expression by the pupil. This is followed by chapters on Letters About Work, Speech About Work, Directions About Work. The book is the outgrowth of the author's very successful experience; it is a book made to use and to succeed, in distinction from most books, which are made for teachers to try. "Rural School Management." by William A. Wilkinson, Head of Department of Education, State Normal School, Mayville, N. D. Silver, Burdett & Co., pubs. Price $1.50. The aim of this book is to furnish a text-book for Teacher Training Courses in High Schools, for Normal Schools, for reading circles, etc., which shall set forth clearly the twofold mission of the rural school, namely: 1. To promote the physical, mental, and moral welfare of country boys and girls; 2. To promote the economical and social improvement of the community at large; and which shall show exactly how the inexperienced teacher should go about it to overcome the difficulties that beset her path and to realize this mission for her school as far as possible. The whole field of rural school teaching is covered. The author has made an exhaustive study of the subject and has supplemented his own wide experience with the experiences of other students of the subject and with the data collected by state and U. S. Government experts. This is why every teacher is likely to find her own. particular problem discussed in this book. The University idea of giving to every person the opportun was founded September 16, 1873, with the ity of obtaining a thorough, practical education at an expense within his reach. That such an Institution is a necessity may be judged by the fact that each year, since the beginning, the attendance has been greater than that of the previous year. The Summer School is one of the largest in the United States. The Summer Term will open May 29th and will continue twelve weeks. During this term the University will offer an exceptional list of subjects from which students may select their work. There will be beginning, intermediate, advanced and review work in the following Departments Preparatory, High School, Primary Methods, Kindergarten Methods, Commerce, Phonography & Typewriting, Review for Teachers, Education, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Manual Training, Agriculture, Expression and Public Speaking, Music, Fine Art, Domestic Science, Pharmacy, Law, Medicine and Dentistry. Teachers will find an exceptional opportun ity to combine work in the regular departments with such review work as they may desire. This is because of the fact that during the summer term the regular work of the University is offered the same as during the other terms of the year. Many enter for review work only. Others by attending consecutive summer sessions complete a course of study, while others enter to take up special subjects. THE EXPENSES ARE THE LOWEST Tuition, $20.00 per quarter of twelve weeks. Board with Furnished Room, $33 to $45 per quarter. Catalog will be mailed free. Address HENRY B. BROWN, Pres. or OLIVER P. KINSEY, Vice-Pres. 45th Year Will Open September 18, 1917 VACATION RUSSIAN RIVER COUNTRY Boating-bathing-hiking-on MINERAL SPRINGS Lake, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, famous for the curative qualities and diversity of their mineral springs-excellent resortshome comforts-large swimming pools. HUNTING AND FISHING Deer, bear and bob-cats for the hunter. 2000 miles of excellent trout streams for the angler. CAMPING Pitch your tent in the California National Forest. Ideal climatecountless camp sites. Deer and trout in abundance. Always within easy reach of a Government ranger. LOW EXCURSION FARES An interesting description of this territory in detail is found in the NORTHWESTERN PACIFIC Frequent summaries, questions, and ref- Reader is erences make the book easy to study from and easy to teach from. * * * an addition to the Macmillan Spanish Series, edited by the general editor of the series. It follows the same methods employed in the other works of the "Jim and Peggy at Meadowbrook Farm," series, and is worthy of the same popularby Walter Collins O'Kane. To convey a ity accorded them. The purpose of the true picture of an everyday farm-its work, book is to furnish material for translation its play, the things that make up its ordi- for students who wish to begin reading at nary life is the purpose of this book. The a very early stage of their study of Spanfundamentals of farm life are described in ish. With this purpose in view, the readterms that any city child will understand. ings are elementary and the notes exhaustIt is told in story form and will surely ive. Finally, this reader is intended to fill prove interesting to the child. Price 60c. a very great need in the teaching of Span Macmillan Co., New York. "Elementary Spanish-American by Frederick Bliss Luquiens. ish in this country, namely, a knowledge Reader," of Spanish-American geography and his This new tory. Price 90c. Macmillan Company. THE SMITH SYSTEM OF HEATING AND VENTILATION A thoroughly efficient and satisfactory system, which brings in an abundance of fresh air, warms it without overheating, charges it with the proper amount of moisture and then distributes it evenly to all parts of the room without creating drafts, and at the same time removes all the foul air. It gives even heat, warm floors and thorough ventilation. It is the practical application of correct scientific principles in the economical heating and ventilating of a school room, and is especially adapted for use in any school building in country, village or city district which is not large enough to warrant the great expense of installing an elaborate plant with fans for ventilation. The Smith System is no new and untried experiment. It has been in use for the past 15 years and has received the highest endorsement from Teachers, Superintendents and School Officers, wherever it has been used. With it the school room is healthful and comfortable. It makes children bright, keen and attentive. The installation of this system would be a permanent improve. ment, sure to benefit all lines of school work for many years to come. C. F. WEBER & CO. Sole Distributors Reno, Nevada Los Angeles 365-367 MARKET STREET 100 W. COMMERCIAL ROW 222-224 SO. LOS ANGELES Phoenix, Arizona 124 W. WASHINGTON STREET ALSO-NORTHWEST SCHOOL FURNITURE CO., 246 THIRD STREET, PORTLAND, OREGON. E. C. BOYNTON A. L. HALL BOYNTON ESTERLY TEACHERS' AGENCY School Officials can always secure competent teachers from us. ing us. Wire or phone at our expense, if mail is too slow. Teachers without positions or seeking change should enroll. Established 1888 by C. C. Boynton. Longest, largest, best service on the Pacific Coast. 517 BROCKMAN BLDG., LOS ANGELES Phones-Broadway 1919; Home A-1840. 717 MARKET ST., SAN FRANCISCO Kerny 5959 WESTERN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION Vol. XXIII MEETINGS Bay Section the California Teachers' Association; Lewis B. Avery, President, Oakland, Cal.; W. L. Glascock, Secretary, San Mateo, Cal. Northern California Teachers' Association, S. P. Robbins, President, Chico, Cal.; Mrs. Minnie O'Neil, Secretary. Central California Teachers' Association, F. H. Boren, Lindsay, President; E. W. Lindsay, Fresno, Secretary. Southern California Teachers' Association, Mrs. Grace Stanley, President, San Bernardino; J. O. Cross, Secretary, Los Angeles. California Council of Education, E. M. Cox, Oakland, Cal., President; A. H. Chamberlain, San Francisco, Cal., Secretary. "California Federation of School Women's Clubs. Miss Anna Keefe, President, Oakland, Cal.; Miss Cora Hampel, Secretary, Oakland, Cal. California Education Officers, Sacramento, Cal., Hon. Edward Hyatt, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Dr. Margaret Schallenberger-McNaught, Commissioner Elementary Schools; Edwin R. Snyder, Commissioner Vocational Education; Will C. Wood, Commissioner Secondary SAN FRANCISCO, JUNE, 1917 There is the national flag! He must be cold indeed who can look upon its folds rippling in the breeze without pride of country. It is a piece of bunting lifted in the air; but it speaks sublimely and every part has a voice. Its stripes of alternate red and white proclaim the original union of thirteen states to maintain the Declaration of Independence. Its stars of white on a field of blue proclaim that union of states constituting our national constellation, which receives a new star with every new State. The two together signify union, past and present. The very colors have a language, which was officially recognized by our fathers. White is for purity; red White is for purity; red for valor; blue for justice; and all together -bunting, stripes, stars, and colors-blazing in the sky, make the flag of our country, to be cherished by all our hearts, to be upheld by all our hands. -Charles Sumner. No. 6 A SONG FOR THE FLAG Here is my love to you, flag of the free, and flag of the tried and true, Here is my love to your streaming stripes and your stars in a field of blue! Here is my love to your silken folds wherever they wave on high, For you are the flag of a land for which 'twere sweet for a man to die! Green though the banners my fathers bore bled in the olden fray, But you, O beautiful flag of the free, are the flag of our hearts to-day! So with the myriad races of men who, leaving the past behind, Give to the land of their manhood's choice allegiance of heart and mind, TEACH PATRIOTISM BY MEANS OF Laboring ever with hand or brain, the Patriotism can be taught in poetry and in music that is both strong and beautiful. The child's ardor in the war will brighten his mind with a new interest in poetry, and the memorizing of verse, that is to some children a tedious task, will become a joy and even a pride to most. In the glow of the excited mind, reflecting the war spirit of the nation, the recitation of poems that tell of valor and of love of country, will be given with an earnestness that will have something of eloquence if the verse chosen be of a merit that inspires eloquence. Plato long ago taught us the power of music. Let children sing the songs that have inspired heroes to valorous deeds. MARGARET S. MCNAUGHT, Commissioner of Elementary Schools. nation they help to build, For you, O beautiful flag, are to them one when the heart's blood reddens the earth, And native or foreign, 'tis love like this is the ultimate test of our worth! Native or immigrant-here is the task to Behold its streaming rays unite, air When Freedom from her mountain height One flag, one land, one heart, one hand: -O. W. Holmes. Here is our love to your streaming stripes And native or foreign we love the land * There are two things holy, the flag which represents military honor, and the law which represents national right.-Victor Hugo. THE WESTERN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS OF The meeting of the State Board of Education held in May combined the usual joint meeting with the Normal School Presidents, provided for by Section 1518a of the Code, with the last meeting of the fiscal year, usually held in June. Slight modifications in the requirements for admission to the State Normal Schools and graduation therefrom, as set forth in Bulletin 14, were adopted. The changes made will appear in the revised bulletin in the form of the following amended paragraphs: 36. English literature and language(elementary) including grammar, composition and oral expression 2 18. English language and literature(advanced). A full year course with special emphasis on oral and written composition and study of the kinds of writing (narration, description, exposition) 1 World History-Either of the following: 18 (a) General History-a year of general history, with emphasis on modern European history. 36 (b) World History-a two year course in ancient, medieval and modern history. 18. Music, including sight reading, three-part singing and elementary harmony. 1 2 1 At the request of the State Council of Defense, plans were formulated to co-operate with the council in the formation of a students' working reserve, as suggested by the National Council of Defense. A committee was appointed, consisting of the three commissioners of education; Marshall DeMotte, Corning; W. B. Parker, Riverside; Merton E. Hill, Ontario; Albert Shiels and Mrs. Susan M. Dorsey, Los Angeles; E. M. Cox, Oakland; Noel Garrison, Stockton, and A. M. Simons of Visalia, to work under the direction of Commissioner Wood as chairman, to form the Students' Working Reserve from as many schools as possible and to adopt plans for the use of student labor during the summer vacation. A complaint was received that German patriotic songs were being taught in certain public schools, and the following letter of instruction was immediately forwarded to all school superintendents: "Complaint has been made to the War Department that public school teachers in some California counties have been teaching pupils to sing German patriotic songs, and the matter has been referred to the State Board of Education. While the Board is of the opinion that no violation of American loyalty was intended, and that the singing in question probably was confined to those familiar German airs to be found in almost every musical anthology, the Board is of the opinion that it is poor judgment at best to teach to school children songs the character of which, considering our present foreign relations, might be considered unpatriotic, and offensive to our national ideals. The State Board of Education, therefore, requests all city and county superintend ents to demand that the teachers under their jurisdiction refrain from the use, either for instruction or recreation, of any songs of Germanic origin now objection able on account of the fact that war exists between the United States and the Imperial German government. On the other hand, the Board urges. earnestly that the superintendents encourage the daily use of patriotic American. songs in the schools in their counties or cities, for inculcating and stimulating a vigorous national spirit in the youth of the land." A new section was added to the rules and regulations for the government of the public schools, to become effective with the beginning of the next school year, and was embodied in the following resolution: "Whereas, Sections 308 and 336 of the Penal Code and Sections 1665, 1667 and 1685 of the Political Code are designed to safeguard the moral welfare of the youth of the state, and Whereas, it is manifestly the duty of the public schools, in so far as possible, to enforce the provisions of said sections, therefore, be it Resolved, that a new section is hereby added to the Rules and Regulations adopted for the government of the public schools of the state of California, to real as follows: Section 21 Principals of public schools, elementary or secondary, shall exercise careful supervision over the moral conditions in their respective schools. Gambling, frequenting pool rooms, immorality or the use of narcotics or alcohol, either in or out of school, shall not be tolerated; any pupil guilty of these offenses or any of them shall be immediately suspended by the principal of the school such pupil is attending and shall not be again received into any public school of the state until satisfactory assurance is given by said pupil and his parent or guardian that such offense shall not be repeated while such pupil is in attendance upon the public schools of this state. state. For violation of such assurance the principal shall suspend such pupil for the remainder of the current school term. (See Sections 308 and 336 of the Penal Code and Sections 1665, 1667 and 1685 of the Political Code.) This rule shall be permanently posted in a suitable and conspicuous place in each school building." In the matter of the adoption of textbooks in language, bids were opened from five publishers, but final action was deferred until the July meeting, to enable the Textbook Committee to investigate the feasibility of publishing a language series in separate parts for each grade. Pending applications for High School Credentials, Life Diplomas, Health and Development Certificates and Credentials in Special Subjects were disposed of. Authorization was granted for the extension of credentials in special subjects which are due to expire June 30th in such cases as the holder had not had opportunity to gain any teaching experience since the issuance of the dential. issuance of the original cre The Commissioner of Elementary Schools was authorized to issue a bulletin prepared by Lura Sawyer Oak, entitled Parent-Teacher Associations in Rural and Suburban Schools. The following departments of various institutions were accredited for the certification of teachers as indicated: |