88 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



We believe that mothers, with their profouud interest in the child., 

 should take the initiative in establishing cordial, intimate, and helpful 

 relations with the teachers, We think we are on the eve of a revolution. 

 Did we say eve? The day has dawned and that not only in thought, but 

 in very deed. 



Quoting from the Outlook of July 10, '97, we find that the ]nothers of 

 Denver are giving definite assistance in school work. 



A COUNCIL OF MOTHERS 



was called and the question asked: Are you satisfied with the manner 

 in which your children are spending their time at school? They were 

 not. While they were satisfied with the teacher as an individual, they felt 

 that they needed the very best and constant instruction by experts in all 

 kinds of educational work. They were sure that better work could be 

 done in smaller classes, which would lead to grouping and individual 

 work. That mental work should be condensed and co-ordinated,, giving 

 more time for physical, manual, and mental work. And that the ethical 

 should be better, broader, and more definite. When they were sure of the 

 needs of the school room they were led to studying and investigating 

 school reports of this and other countries. Teachers were invited to meet 

 them in their homes, and at their clubs. At last they made bold to sug- 

 gest a mothers' meeting to be held in one of the school rooms after school. 

 This was their first effective work. Articles were not only read, but 

 studied from such authors as Henderson, Rice, Hyde, and Barnes. These 

 articles were discussed, and that with great profit. Their work up to 

 this time is but fragmentary. The mothers have learned their own de- 

 ficiencies in regard to school work, and this is a long step toward material 

 helpfulness. The old marking system which generally develops an unde- 

 sirable rivalry among pupils is being done away with and the tendency 

 toward individual work, in which the pupil is judged by his effort as well 

 as his attainment, is taking its place. 



They say they are working for a cultured heart, an educated mind and 

 a well kept body. We think 



INDUSTRIAL WORK MUST COME IN FOR ITS SHARE 



SO there ma,v be skilled hands and trained eyes as well as trained thought 

 — thought must resolve itself into deeds. There is a large class in our 

 school rooms today to whom and for whom industrial training is their 

 only salvation. They come largely, but not solely from a class who for 

 generations have been untrained as to thought, study or any mental cul- 

 ture. And when they attempt class work with others the}' are at a loss 

 and a sad loss. One great demand today is for skilled workmen in house, 

 shop, forge and field. We suffer keenly today from the lack of skilled 

 labor. Mothers, can you for a moment question your relation to this mo- 

 mentus question? Through these mothers' and teachers' meetings not 

 only the individual, but the homes of the present and the future, the well- 

 being of society, the strength, honor and purity of this nation may be 

 influenced. 



In the prescribed course of study mothers should certainly have a voice. 

 A mother savs largelv what her child shall wear aud how it shall be 



