RESUME OF LECTURES ON EDUCATION, DELIVERED BY C. C. HOWARD, ESQ, F.R.G.S., AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 194, 28 May 1878, Page 3

RESUME OF LECTURES ON EDUCATION, DELIVERED BY C. C. HOWARD, ESQ, F.R.G.S., AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

■» Second Coubse—Methods of Teaching and Organization. Lectures XIX and XX.—Subject — The Kindergarten Syetem and its application to ordinary Infant Schools: How to conduct a school on this plan. (Concluded.) The third gift consists of a large cube divided into eight smaller ones. With this the elements of arithmetic are introduced. The children readily understand the use of fractions, as this gift, and the successive ones, . enable them to make things of mathematical, artificial,-and general utility, or objects involving the use of head, heart, and hand. This is perhaps the most popular gift of all with children, because so many objects can be made by it. With their cubes a mimic garden party is organised, and they are taught how to build garden seats and chairs, steps, tanks, arches, crosses, avenues, and ruined castles. Many letters of the alphabet, as F, H, L, and T. are formed by them. They are obliged to empty, close, or refill the box very carefully, and no careless throwing out is permitted. The fourth gift differs from the preceding gifts as a cube by being differently sub-divided. Itis divided into eight bricks instead of distinct cubes, with same parts, faces, and angles. The child is induced to examine one part first, and notice likeneFses and differences. Then to point out the difference ..between .»» a brick and a cube the unequal faces and ;; sides, varied heights and surfaces covered. ..JvWith this gift the various calculation tables, such as additien, multiplication, &c, are taught while the children walk around the table singing two, four, sis, &c, while counting the groups of pieces piled upon the table before them. The fifth gift is an extension of the third, and the sixth of the fourth. The fifth gift is a cube divided into 27 parts. Three of these are divided into halves, three into quarters, and one into triangles, making 39 pieces in all. The child is first instructed in parts separately, then to count and compare edges, surfaces, corners, and by this means various mathematical forms leading on to fractions, and symmetry as the basis of all artistic effect. The ground plan is fully explained, till understood. In the use of this gift the rule is that in forming objects every piece must be used, and if they fail they must take down any structure, brick by brick carefully, and commence to erect a new. The sixth gift is developed from the fourth, but the shape of pieces differs. There are 18 bricks in all. three of which are cut lengthways and six across, giving 6 pillars, 12 " square blocks, or 36 pieces in all. First, the parts are studied, then whole pieces the pieces are compared and triangles and pillars formed. They are taught to combine geometrical forms, more especially those relating to architectural and industrial pursuits. In conclusion, Mr Howard strongly advised his hearers to introduce Kindergarten principles into all their teaching, and recommended the following • works:—" 60 Kndergarten songs and ' games," "Kindergarten toys and how to use them," by Miss Hauffnian, "Kinder- . Ethelßidlev " Mdme. Bouge oh Kindergarten system. .