The Common School System of Germany And Its Lessons to America

cation of the young. As a writer and teacher he made a profound impression, not alone upon the authorities, but also upon thinkers of all classes. Without discussing his eminent work as a writer and teacher in other fields, it is interesting to note here his influence in moulding school systems. He advocated four kinds of school: 1. The mother school, covering the first six years of the child's life. In this important period especial attention should be given Kinds of f i ,-, , , ,1 j i . , schools to physical growth, and to the development of advocated by all the senses, and a comprehension of the nearby objects. 2. The German school, commencing at the sixth year, in which all the children without exception were to be trained. Such a school must be sustained in every community. Its course included reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic according to the needs of ordinary life, the Bible and catechism, hymns and texts, some geography, and knowledge of some trade or business, 3. The Latin school, planned for advanced pupils, who were to take the university course. 4. The University, which was to be open to all classes who have completed the Latin school, This substantially marks the present division of schools in the German system, and is of historical importance as one of the factors which prepared the way for later systems. Corresponding witk. the mother school is the Kindergarten, with the German school is the Vollcsschule, with the Latin school the...