Education -- Norway; School management and organization -- Norway
The teacher presenting this course must be capable for he is the
authority and guide back of all work done. Text books (good ones though
condensed) play a part, but a much smaller part than would be the case
in our American schools were similar instruction approached in a formal
way. In other words, their teachers furnish the course and _teach_ the
subject, while too many of ours merely present the course provided in
the adopted text book.
Writing, drawing, vocal music, manual training, and gymnastics are also
in the curriculum and each receives careful attention. Perhaps extended
outlining of these courses and long discussions concerning them are
unnecessary. Their importance and value are recognized. Their
presentation in the schools of Norway is commendable, but some things
must be passed without exhaustive treatment. Only general statements
will be given.
The results in some lines--writing and drawing in particular--do not
justify the amount of time devoted to them. The writing is mechanical
throughout, and in the lower grade the requirements are altogether too
exacting. Drawing is required of all alike. Those who have ability in
this line of work perhaps receive too little instruction; others,
without talent or liking for it, regard it as a drudgery and, in the
minds of some of their teachers, hinder the progress of the gifted. The
finer coordinations required in both writing and drawing are frequently
in advance of the development of the pupils and work injury rather than
benefit.
Vocal music is required of all and injures none. Probably each one reaps
considerable benefit from the instruction. The class of music used in
their teaching is very different from what is in vogue in our American
schools. The church has exercised a great deal of influence in this
respect. Since church and state are united the music of the church forms
a predominating portion of the music of the state schools. Psalms,
chants, and songs of stately dignity constitute the bulk of their
selections, while those of lighter strain are interspersed at intervals
not too close together. In America our children's songs are more
attractive from the "jingle" point of view. Our children like them
better and are more anxious to sing them. The little Norwegians, too,
are delighted when permitted to swing into the lighter strains of music.
They love to sing. Their faces fairly glow as their mellow voices swell
out whether they sing in a jingle or in the rich harmonies of their
psalms. Common use of the better quality of music cultivates their
ability to appreciate and to render works of higher order than one
usually finds in the schools of our own country.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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