157 THE VIRGINIA TEACHER [Vol. Ill, No. 6

a real understanding and appreciation of the ten. Instead of being divided into chapters vital aspects of the problems can be intro- there is a series of seventy lessons. Among these are several lessons on the; theory of evo- duced. An elementary training of this kind, lution. though not in conformity with any particular A careful cheeking of the subject matter text, would doubtless produce better results will reveal a number of errors. For Instance, than are obtained in the majority of cases the author, speaking of mushrooms, says through the use of a special text. "Nine of these are deadly poisonous, all of which belong to the genus amanita." As a The general scenic idea is developing matter of fact, there are quite a number of rapidly; behind it there is an ideal, not yet species that do. not belong to amanita, such as realized. It is better organized and more Lepoits morgani, and Clitocybe illudens. scientific than the old Natural Philosopher's There are also many others that are doubt- hodgepodge of scientific facts. It is not made ful, to say the least. up of scraps of the sciences, but is a unified, Because of its unique character, I consider this book a valuable aid in the hands of bi- logically developed oneness, capable of dupli- ology teachers. It is well illustrated and cating Nature's presentation of principles, many excellent ideas can be had from it as and with its indifference to differentiation. to the presentation of the subject. Is it towards this that secondary school G. W. Chappelear, Jr. science is tending? Construction Work for the Primary Grades, by Edward E. Worst. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co. 1920. 291 pages. ($2.00.) This is a complete outline of handwork for VIII the three primary grades. It covers three RECENT BOOKS OF INTEREST groups of problems, that is, schoolroom ac- tivities, child's play, and home problems. It TO TEACHERS offers many valuable suggestions for hand- Historical Readings, edited by Helen B. Ben- work, but should be used only as a suggestive nett and Joseph A. Haniphy. Chicago; outline for the teacher. Some of the work Rand McNally & Company. 1920. 440 pages. given is not entirely practical for the first ($1.50.) and second grades. M. E. Cornell In this book, which is intended as an In- troduction to the study of American history, Longer Plays by Modern Authors, edited by the authors have made a real contribution to Helen Louise Cohen. New York: Harcourt, vital teaching resources. It should not be Brace & Company. 1922. 357 pages. termed a "source book", in the ordinary sense, ($1.48.) but it is a source book, in an extraordinary This is a companion volume to the same sense. It is easy and attractive to young stu- editor's One-Act Plays by Modern Authors. dents, alid it is stimulating and profound The writer has compiled four plays by modern enough to stir up enthusiasm in old age. It authors, and also has given a bibliography for consists of vital chronicles and messages in the study of drama in America. She points prose and verse, and will be found an excel- the student to a list of American plays for lent volume for supplementing and invigorat- supplementary reading. ing almost any course in American history, This book endeavors to furnish practical government, or citizenship from) the 6th or 7th means of enlarging and arousing a greater grade up. A few slips of type or fact will interest In the study of the drama and to probably be caught and adjusted in later bring before the student contemporary drama- editions: for example, John Randolph Thomp- tists. The plays given for study are Beau son should be John Reuben Thompson. Pos- Brummel, typical of "the succession of ro- sibly "Stonewall Jackson's "Way" was written mantic plays that has been unbroken since the before September 17, 1862. eighteenth century;" The Copperhead, "which John W. "Wayland resembles in workmanship the Civil War melodramas"; Dulcy, "a study of American Civic and Economic Biology, by Wm. H. At- business men and a characterization of a droll wood. Philadelphia; P. Blakiston's Son & feminine type"; and The Intimate Strangers, Co. 1922. 470 pages. ($1.68). which contains "wise and humorous reflec- In many respects this is an excellent civic tions on the youngest generation." biology. It is unusual in that no attempt is Ruth g. Hudson made to divide the subject into botany, zo- ology, and physloloogy; but rather td treat the The Perfect Gentle Knight, by Hester D. great principles of life as a unit and to em- Jenkins. Yonkers, New York; The World phasize differences where necessary. Book Company. 1921. 59 pages. ( 32 cents.) One of its most attractive features is the This booklet Is a series of delightful short interesting style In which the book is writ- stories written in the cause of health and j tjxE, 1922] THE VIRGU TEACHER " 158 chivalry. The "Perfect Gentle Knight" is a connecting link between the brave knight of the middle ages and the Modern Health Cru- SERVE DEMOCRACY'S GREATEST sader. "The word crusade has come to mean any NEED effort made by a group to combat evil for a good cause. Men and women who want to America's best talent should be dedi- make the world better often join in such cru- cated to the training of youth for citizen- sades For boys and girls, too, there ship. The National Education Associ- is a great crusade called the Modem Health ation appreciates the efforts of its mem- Crusade By putting on the armor of faith and courage, they fight the dragon of bers to enlist in the educational army the disease and strive for good health strongest men and women in every local- Clean homes, clean towns and strong citizens ity. It is recommended to our best young are worth fighting for." people that they consider the following Children of the fourth grade will read: with much interest these stories and get the In- advantages of the profession of teaching: spiration to organize a Modern Health Cru- 1. Teaching pays. Besides ever-increas- sade and thus make themselves strong to ing financial compensation, the teaching serve. profession offers the highest social sanc- A health library, given in the back of tions and rewards. booklet, will be helpful to both students and teachers who have joined the better health 2. Teaching is a growing profession. movement. The Nation now requires the services of The booklet was written by an officer of the 700,000 teachers. There is a, strong de- American Social Hygiene Association and is viand that teachers be better trained. endorsed by the National Tuberculosis Asso- 3. Teaching offers a growing career. ciation . The well-trained teacher need have no fear P. P. Moody of unemployment, but may look forward to increasing opportunities commensurate Changes in the Cost of Living, July, 1914, to with added training and growth in per- November, 1921. (Research Report No. "44 sonal fitness. of the National Industrial Conference 4. Teaching offers mental and moral Board). New York; The Century Co. 1922. growth. The soundest mental and moral 30 pages. (75 cents.) processes are involved in the making of The National Industrial Conference Board good citizens. has just issued its eleventh report on the 5. Teaching is building. The teacher changes In the cost of living among wage earn- shapes the unfolding life of childhood and ers in the United States. The report shows radiates ideals and purposes that in the conditions in November, 1921, as compared citizenship of tomorrow will become the with July, 1914, July, 1920, and July, 1921. It fabric of an improved social structure. covers a detailed study of the following sub- 6. Teaching inspires high ideals. There jects: Food, Shelter, Clothing, Fuel and Light, is nothing nobler or more practical than Sundries, and the Complete Budget. to shape and guide the ideals and practices So much has been said of late concerning of the young citizens who are soon to be the "high cost of living" that a detailed study the Nation's responsible leaders. of facts compiled on a comparative basis is 7. Teaching is service. Those who enter of very great value. this high calling enjoy the spiritual devel- A paragraph quoted from the introduction opment and true happiness that come from is indicative of the value of the entire report: rendering real service to the Bepublic. ". . . . it is seen that between July, 1914, and 8. Teaching insures big opportunities. July, 1920, the cost of living among wage- With growth and inspiration come multi- earners' families in the United States rose plied opportunities for self-improvement, 104.5%. Between July, 1920, and November, for rearing the family in a wholesome at- 1920, the average cost of living decreased 5.6%; mosphere, and for living and building on between November, 1920, and March, 1921, the life's best side. decrease wad 12.6%; and between March, 1921, 9. Teaching is practical patriotism. In- and July, 1921, the decrease was 3.3%. The spiring young citizens and directing prob- change in the cost of living between July, lems of citizenship practice is a ministry 1921, and November, 1921, was almost negli- essential to a democracy. gible: a decrease of less thani one-tenth of one 10. Teaching is the profession of profes- per cent. The total rise in the cost of living sions. Measured by the standards that between July, 1914, and November, 1921, was make life genuinely rich and happy, teach- 63%; the decrease In the cost of living be- ing offers opportunities beyond those of tween the peak reached in July, 1920, and November, 1921, was 20.3%." other professions. Grace Brinton