Cfje Bububcm ^octettes 



SCHOOL DEPARTMENT 



Edited by A. A. ALLEN, Ph.D. 

 Address all communications relative to the work of this 

 department to the Editor, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. 



COOPERATION 



One of the greatest lessons learned from the World War was the value 

 of cooperation. In her manifold, well-laid schemes, Germany did not allow for 

 it, the Allies discovered its use very early, the United States entered the war 

 with it uppermost in her mind, and the world was saved. The inspiration and 

 the power of working together, utilizing the discoveries of the others and bene- 

 fiting by their mistakes, made the armies of each of the Allies far more powerful 

 than they could have been had they fought side by side without the spirit of 

 cooperation. Individual honors were very often sacrificed and subservient 

 positions were taken by one or another of the Allies that they might work to- 

 gether as a unit and defeat the enemy. There was one great task to be accom- 

 plished, and it mattered not to whom the momentary glory fell. Now that the 

 war is over and the history is being written, it is perfectly evident that every- 

 one is to receive the honor that is his due, and the glory of self-sacrifice for the 

 sake of cooperation is no less than that of leadership. 



If anything is ever gained from war and bloodshed it is by reason of the 

 great truths that are exposed. The only legitimate gain to the individual that 

 can be obtained from the slaughter of his fellowman is by the application to 

 his own life of these truths or principles. So if we would gain something from 

 the great conflict, we should acquire the spirit of cooperation and apply it in 

 our teaching of little children, for the teaching of the rising generation will have 

 more effect upon the world a hundred years hence than any conflict, however 

 great. It is to the teachers that the world must look for progress, and the 

 teachers must, therefore, look well to the lessons that the great war has taught. 

 If there is any place where cooperation is imperative, it is in the teaching pro- 

 fession where there are so many great principles to be inculcated through so 

 many different channels. 



Perhaps no greater opportunity has ever been offered to teachers for co- 

 operation and for coordination than the movement for the conservation of wild 

 life, which finds its chief expression in bird-study. This conservation movement 

 involves so many of the principles thai we would give to children to make them 

 better men and women that it is little wonder that every progressive organiza- 

 tion is behind it and that funds are always forthcoming for its support. 

 Chambers of commerce, civic improvement societies, the Hoy Scouts, the 

 Camp Fire Girls, the Red Cross, and numerous other organizations always 



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