MARCH 31, 1938 3 Community Study is Reported at Meeting Mrs. Eva Dratz, Whittier Teacher, Addresses Social Subjects Session at University. For some time the primary grades, through the study of local stores, the greenhouse, the milk plant, the postman, the fireman, the policeman, have used the community as a source of material for the social studies. At the recent State Social Studies Con- vention, held under the direction of Dr. Edgar Wesley at the University of Min- nesota, Mrs. Eva Dratz, a sixth grade teacher in Whittier School, showed the possibilities of the community at inter- mediate level. School Is a Community Mrs. Dratz pointed out that the school itself with its various needs, constitutes a community. Health problems, care and appearance of buildings and grounds, traffic congestion in halls, and policies ‘initiated from time to time, call for group action similar to that in the city itself. Even the problems of welcoming strang- ers is common to both the small and the large group, she said. A recent survey of the school district, made by sixth grade pupils, was re- ported. This included nationality of chil- dren as well as of their parents and grandparents; the type of dwelling in which children live; number of parents owning homes; and a report on ‘the magazines taken or read regularly. The material was tabulated by two compiling committees. Children learned methods of making a survey and of making accurate tabulations in an efficient manner. Information to Be Used The various uses and. possibilities of the tabulated material were shown. One interesting outcome will be a series of assemblies calculated to give pride in cultural background to nationality groups represented in the school, and a proper appreciation for certain minority groups. That children may come into contact with persons prominent in each group is an important part of the plan. Obviously these findings make a point of departure for vital civics, history, geography, and elementary social sociology—in short, the social studies. PHYSICAL “ED” BODY (Continued from page 1) Edison high school auditorium at 1 p. m. today. Ice carnival at the Minneapolis Arena at 8:30 p. m. Friday. Ralph C. Tapp, director of physical education for the Minneapolis public schools, chairman. is. convention arrangements Board to Act as Committee of Whole on Question Of Ignoring Civil Service in Naming Business Head To Study Three Proposed New High Schools, Also, After Spirited Ses- sion Monday The Board of Education concluded a busy and outspoken meeting Monday with the following accomplishments re- corded for the session: Referred to the committee of the whole a proposal that a business super- intendent be named without civil service examination, and a proposal that the civil service commission be requested to certify Harry Benson, acting supervisor of buildings, to that post immediately. Referred to the committee of the whole proposals for three new schools, a new North high, new southwest high school, and a new Morris Park elemen- tary school. Rescinded previous action for payment of the $1,200 charge for the recent em- ployes’ reclassification survey by the Pub- lic Administration Service of Chicago after statements by board members that the survey was “worthless.” Heard a report from Walter Johnson, board member, that the city council and Board of Public Welfare definitely are “not interested” in the school board’s pro- posal for an exchange of quarters by the school and public welfare boards. Accepted the resignation of Dr. S. Alan Challman as director of the Minneapolis Public Schools Child Guidance depart- ment. Dr. Challman has gone to New York City for a year’s study and will be in the New York City schools’ Child Guidance Bureau during that time. Discussion of the selection of a suc- cessor to the late George F. Womrath as assistant superintendent of business affairs arose when Mr. Johnson reported that the civil service commission re- ported it does not expect to be able to conduct the examination for about a month. Arthur LeSueur, board member, charged that the delay in the matter and consequent continuance of a temporary administrative setup is disrupting the morale of shop employes. E. H. Enger, supervising enginer, said he believed work was progressing satis- factorily at the shops. Mr. Womrath died October 12. Ice Carnival Outstanding Minneapolis high school skaters, and nationally known blade stars will share the spotlight at the Physical Education Convention Ice Carnival this week-end. The special convention per- formance at -8:30 p. m. Friday -will be followed by shows Saturday and Sunday evenings, and a Saturday matinee for stu- dents, parents and teachers Saturday at 3 p.m. “English Teachers Face the Future” Roberts’ Article Calls for Full Use of New Media by Instructors: Says All Will Influence Language Presented herewith is an abstract of an article, “English Teachers Face the Fu- ture,” by Holland D. Roberts, contained in the English Journal for February, 1938, and in the March edition of the Educa- tional Digest. We face the challenge of using all the new media of language, the radio, sound films, voice recordings and. the like. All these will influence language, whether the school directs them or not. It is absolutely necessary for English teachers to make use of them. It is being done. A month ago, five high school stu- dents representing Aberdeen; Wash., took part in a planned two-way conversation on student government with a group of students speaking from the short wave station at the Menlo, Calif., school and junior college. The portable transmitter used in the Menlo school cost $125 and may be en- closed in a small suitcase. “Kivery class room can now choose its audience from among class rooms within a radious of several hundred miles,” the author points out. We can look forward to having class rooms in Europe talk with our own. Voice recording as part of oral de- velopment is an important innovation. Says the writer: “We are authoritatively told that we can begin to plan for the use of tele- vision in education.” These and a multitude of other vital changes are important to children. It is more than likely that creative impulse will find outlet in the type of expression which uses the recent inventions. Chil- dren need interest, need something to say which is their own, and an audience be- fore which to say it. Leadership is automatically going to those who break sharply with the past. Creative writing and oral expression must |get away from the worse concept of what is art. Children must see them- selves that their expression about their own world is really art—really creative. —E. K. P. Boys’ Vocational Open-House To give 1,000 parents and friends the opportunity to see classes in full swing, Boys’ vocational high school will have “open house” from 7 to 9:30 p. m. next Wednesday. All shops and departments will be open for inspection, and there will be an exhibit of finished products.