SELF-TAUGHT CHILDREN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 302, 14 May 1913, Page 7

SELF-TAUGHT CHILDREN.

A SCHOOL WHERE TEACHER LOOKS ON. London, March 22. The novel method of education practised at a school in a south-coast town, where ''the children lead and the teacher is in the background," have been investigated by a correspondent, who describes the methods as she witnessed them. In one lesson—a "talking" lesson—she says, a little girl was called forward to tell the story of a topical event —the death of Captain' Scott; incidentally the teller recited ''Touchstone's" poem from the Daily Mail. At the close the other children in the class assumed the role of critics, arising one by' one and assailing their "vicUm" as follows: First Critic: Ivy, will you get out of the bad habit of swaying when you talk? —Thank you, Elsie, ['will. Second Critic: What other explorers went to the Arctic regions, Ivy?— Cook. . Third Critic: Ivy, you said a hard "g" in frigid.—Did I? lam so sorry, Aliee. Quite twenty-four girls criticised in this way, the teacher not saying a word. " VICTIM " OF A BURN. Then followed a "dramatic domestic science" lesson, to teach the children what to do in case of a burn on the inn. A "victim" had a calico sleeve with i hole burnt in it pinned over her dress ileeve. What happened was as follows: Victim (rushing to door): Oh! I've burnt my arm. I will mil outside, for the air will make it cool. First Rescuer: No; don't go outside. (She wraps a'coat around her). Second Rescuer: I will .take off the coat and attend to the wound. (She cuts away the calico sleeve). . Third Rescuer: Let us put on some carron oil. (On a large bandage a spot of oil is put, and the arm is wrapped up). Fourth rescuer (in haste): I will get. this pad of cotton wool over the bani dage to prevent the wound getting kuocked. (Huge lump put on, also another bandage.) Criticism followed. Among the points made by the critics were: —• "Mollie, you were clumsy when you bandaged the arm." "Jane, if you had been more careful you would not have stuck the pin into the invalid's aim." "It was careless of you, Mary, to tie a knot on the wound." "This is the first school in London or the provinces," says the correspondent, "where I have met with this refreshing freedom, continued, be it said, with perfect discipline."