Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: Ill THE SCHOOLROOM A FACTOR The ideal schoolroom for a kindergarten or first primary grade is large, well lighted, with an agreeable soft color upon the walls. It is properly heated and ventilated, and has in addition a place for an opjrufire, an aquarium, a canary bird, a window garden, and a piano. A few well- chosen casts and pictures adorn tie walls. A case of accessible books, a cabinet of illustrative material, and a supply-closet are also essential. The furniture includes a sand-table and a work bench. In the upper grades some of these things can be dispensed with, and other things must be added. In every grade the ideal is a handsome, convenient workroom, so well designed, so perfectly cared-for, that its every element is delightful and educational to the children of that grade. Little children ought to feel all that an open fire can give on a dull, chill day when rain is falling or snow is driving. Whittier's "SnowBound," and many another choice bit of literature will then mean more to them. They ought to hear the sweet, joyful gush of melody from a canary's throat, and see the bird produce it. Birds and bird songs and good music of every kind will seem dearer to them after such an experience in early childhood. An intimate acquaintance with the life history of a few flowers, the handling of a few choice books, familiarity with a few of the best works of fine art, each year in school, are all illuminating and potent experiences which every child should have. The opportunity in every grade for children to express themselves not only vocally, but manually, is an inalienable right that must not be denied. In other words, the schoolroom should furnish ideals and standards of excellence in everything it involves. The teacher is fortunate who has an ideal . ' school...