“NEWSPAPER DAY”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 377, 25 April 1908, Page 2

“NEWSPAPER DAY”

A teacher in an up-country school in Victoria, has made a novel and interesting variation in routine of instruction, in the form of a “ Newspaper Day,” which we recommend to the consideration of the local teachers. The children of the upper classes put aside their text books and devote themselves to a sturdy of the Saturday Argus, each child being provided with a copy of the paper. The shipping columns are first dealt with. The chief trade routes traversed by the steamers advertised are traced out, and the children follow the produce of their district to the other side of the world. The flags of the maritime nations hang on the i walls, and are used to make the lesson vivid. A collection of some 3000 pictures culled from the magazines of the last fifteen years are used in connection with these imaginary travels. If the children follow the All-Red Route they are shown the jxicluies of the islands, of life at sea, at Canada, and of a large Atlantic liner. The auction advertisements provide exercise in mental arithmetic, and the mining column helps to impart information about the mineral products of the States. The small advertisements lead to an address on the value of advertising, the marvels 01 newspaper production, and the history of writi ig and printing. The news columns provide so much material that a selection has to be made. The naval estimates lead to an address on the vital importance of the fleet, the troubles in Macedonia, Spain, and elsewhere, suggest a comparison between British and other forms of Government. The cricket column suggests reflections on the value of the game, and call forth reminiscences from the teacher of giants of twenty or more yeais ago. A class recites Nowboll’s “ Torch of Life,” with its cricket opening refrain of “ Play up, play up, and play the game!” Casualties suggest lessons on the treatment of injuries. The children look down the list of ‘‘situations vacant,” choose positions, and are shown by the teacher how to write letters of application for them. Such instruction fulfils the demands of inspectors that teaching should be practical, up-to-date and real.