Nova Scotia Chap-Books: We have seen Nos. 1 and 5 of this series of small 4 by 6 inch booklets of 16 pages each, for which we paid the publisher, H. H. Marshall, opposite Province Building, Halifax, twenty-five cents each. But it is worth it; for they are the polished literary gems of Dr. Archibald Mac Mechan, of the University of Dalhousie and the Royal Society of Canada. No. 1 contains just three sea-songs only, important episodes of Nova Scotian history: The Ballad of the "Rover," the Ballad in "LaTribune," and "Off Coronel." Every teacher would do well to memorize them, and every pupil to recite them for history as well as literature. No. 5, describes "The Orchards of Ultima Thule" in the Happy Valley, somewhere in Nova Scotia. The literary Doctor must have been visiting the schools in this same Happy Valley, to judge from his spirited defense of rural schools in the press against an unfriendly outside critic. School and Society estimates the number of high school pupils in New York who take Latin this year at 14,000; the number who take French at 20,000; the number who take Spanish at 30,000. Before the war there were only 13,000 taking Spanish. The number taking German is estimated at only 300 In 1917 German was taken by 24,000. Defectives-The Training school at Vineland, New Jersey, U. S. A. is equipped to care for mentally deficient children over five years of age, who are clean in their personal habits The tuition rate is $75 a month. Teachers should pass this information to any point where it is needed, until there is an institution provided for such in our own Province. Home Inspection for School Children. Recommended by the Dominion Fire Commissioner, Ottawa. If used as suggested, this model questionnaire will bring the subject of fire prevention into the majority of homes in Canada. Teachers should instruct their pupils to copy the questions into their work books, take them home and enlist the assistance of their parents in providing the answers. the following day, the work of the pupils should be received by the teacher and lessons given upon the hazards that appear to On be most general. [Supplement to the Circulars issued from the Nova Scotian Department of Education on Fire Prevention 2. Is there any rubbish, such as old papers, broken furniture etc., in the attic?.... 3. Is there any rubbish or scattered kindling in the basement or cellar?... 4. Is there any inflammable rubbish in the yard?. 5. Are floors under stoves protected by metal or otherwise? 6. Are walls, ceilings and partitions protected from overheating of stoves, furnaces and pipes?. 7. How do you dispose of your ashes?. 8. Do you use "safety" matches only?. Do you keep your matches away from heat and out of the reach of children?.... 10. What is the material of the house and of the roof? Is the foundation enclosed?. Are the chimneys in good repair?. When were they last cleaned?... Do stovepipes pass through attic or closets?. 15. If there are any unused stovepipe holes, how are they covered?... 16. Do you ever keep or use gasolene in the house? 17. Do you use a gasolene or coal oil stove for any purpose? 18. 19. How is your house heated?... Are any gas connections made with rubber tubing? 20. Name all the purposes for which coal oil is used in your home.. 21. Do you use electric irons? 22. Name any other fire hazard in or about your home.. 23. Have you any fire extinguishers?. 24. 25. Where is the fire alarm box nearest your home? Do you know how to turn in an alarm?. Physical Training and School Cadets. In England the School Cadets are now receiving more sympathetic consideration than ever before. In Canada there is a similar trend indicated, subject, of course, to Parliament. It is hoped the Instructional allowance for the present school year will be increased from $1.00 for each Cadet to $2.00 up to 50, and $1.00 for each additional Cadet. Provision has also been made for the training in Camp of 30,000 Cadets in the whole Dominion for a period of eight days. Nova Scotia can therefore have a Camp for from two to three thousand if they have the Cadets. Grants to school trustees to help meet the expenses of administring Cadet Corps, are under consideration. Tests of a new rifle for the Cadet Services are now being carried out. The provision of a light weight dummy rifle for smaller Cadets is receiving attention. The adoption of the 1919 issue of the Physical Training Manual as used in the schools of the London County Council is under consideration, as is also the provision of a highly trained staff of Physical Training Instructors for duty at Normal Schools. These attentions combined with the generous Strathcona Fund are very pleasing signs of the appreciation of the past work of our boys on the part of the public and of the Military Department of Canada. |