The Lucknow Sentinel, 1980-02-27, Page 2-411riolow Sentina, Nkida•iday, AthrusirY 27, 1960
Religious exercises take new loo
Religious exercises in. Bruce CoUnty
Elementary SchoolS have taken on a new
look In November of last year, an exper-
imental format for opening, religious exer-
i •
cises was tested at both elementary, and
,seeondary levels in the county. Evaluation of
the materials and, pupil response seems to
- indicate the new approach is on the right
track,
lathe Spring (1,127%. Bruce County Board_
of Education authorized its Values and
Morals Committee toe repare selections for
opening exercises for use in the county
,,cliools. The Ministry of. Education regula-
tions state that "religious exercises are
mandatory" in Ontario schools. They also
require teachers "to inculcate by precept
,Lnd example principles of the -Judaeo-Christ-
,an morality".
A. Leeder, project convener for the
alues and morals program now being
nepared for introduction 'in county elemen-
:try schools, authored the test materials at
he request of the Values and Morals
ommittee. The basic aim of the format is to
,.tnify, opening exercises throughout the.
'.-:aunty and to find an acceptable common
ground within the, parameters of the
Provincial Education Act to ensure partici 7
p ttion of the majhrity of students,-Aecording
to the Act, individual students may be
allowed exemption from participation on
request from parents.
The content of the exercises is based on a
theme derived from a list of 90 precepts
consistent with Judaeo-Christian principles':
Contained in the list of topics such as justice,
mercy; courage, truth, brotherly love, wis-
don*. The list. will be.expanded as • the
program develops. As in ,the values and
morals program, a basic standard is the need
toprOvide an environment in which students
may develop a healthY self-concept.
The format includes 0 Canada, the Lord's
prayer, a brief illustratiOn of the 'central'
theme, a selection froth the scriptures and a
capsule th-onght also reflecting the-theme,---
Regulations alSo permit other readings,. Ali,`
attempt has been Made to choose -biblical
passages which hive revelance to the daily
life and experiences of the studentS. The
writings or quotations of famous people and
well-known proverbs arc sources fihm which
the capsule thought is selected. The capsule
thOught is to be in evidence on the black-
board throughout the day. The exercises are
designed to last five, minutes but they May •
be extended to 10 minutes if a discussion is
encouraged. ,
The method of presentation May include a
variety of educational procedures to be
determined by the classroom teacher,. In
some classes the ;material will need to be
adapted to the level of understanding of the
• pupils. Modern translations of the Bible may.
substituted far the ICIOLJantcs version
.1sed in, the exercises. It is hoped that
Qonsisteni use of the scripture's may encour-
age their use in other settiogs. Interpreta-
:ion of the scriptures and religious doctrine
s -considered the -responsibility of the-home,
Ind church. • •
Evaluation of the test-program by
of the county schools , revealed general
acceptance of the new format.-Somn concern
.was expressed about the adaptability of the
theme presentations to the understanding of
primary students, Miss Ina Mary Anther-
ford, supervisor., of primary :education and
reading recommended spreading the theme
for primary-classes over a longer period of
time, Concern :that biblical selections were
too--difficult for .primary:, students was also
indicated. Adaptation of materials and
flexibility in their use was recommended for
special: education Classes. •
In .most instances, exercises were led' b3.'
the -Classroom teacher, although there was
some e4erimentation with pupil participa-
tion in senior classes. The theme story, on
occaSion, sparked spootaneous discussion.-
Where time permitted, the teacher encour-
aged the children to pursue their diScUssion,
• According to Bev Lustig, principal of
Chesley Public School, sttidents in his school
have responded positively to the cxperi-
- mental exercises...He said they, have
expressed clearer understanding-of the bible.
realpgrand-some-Childrenhaveldentified-n
CO-telationWith the theme and an experience
which they have had during the day.
Considerable experiroontation with meth-
od of' presentation was revealed in the
evaluation. Capsule thoughts were used as
the basis for creative 'writing andz also for
Writing practice. 0 Canada was recorded by
- school hands and choirs and sung in both
French and English, Scripture readings were
written on the blackboard, foi 'further
censideratiOn..At the kindergarten level, one
- teacher helped the children to dramatize the
story.
A further set of exercises for use at the
elementhry level has, been prepared •for the
month of ;February incorporating reeoin- -
mendations from evaluation. of Novemher
experience., Consideration is being given to
the request for materials' at divisional leVels
primary (K » 3), junior (4 6), intermediate (7
14.- senior (11 - 13), expreaSed so
frequently in the evalnation. Testing at the
secondary level indicates need 'for further
reflection on a suitable format. lExPeritnen-
tation will continue. ' •
ASH;FIELD TWO..
75 88
• 119 82
89 90
86 57
Totals 369 317
Election '80
uron-Bruce results
in thi area
4t.c zr•
KINLOSS TWP.
20 107 57 13
29 126 '92 25
30 102 54 .23
36 Totals 335 203 61
115
" 4.4 _ 4.) 14k- C!‘.•
CT 4, S
my 3 Days Left
o. Take-Adyantoge.Of The _
YEAR
CLEARANCE
At Luanoti Appliance Centre
Price increases
March 1/ 1980
WEST
WA WANOSH Large Selection
of -
Guaranteed
HURON TWP.
78 46 16
57 60 23
73 55 22
65 32 16
103 78 37
50 38 16
69 41 9
51 46 8
58 46 17
Totals 604 442 164
LUCKNOW
69 87 23
84 60 15
64 51 11
48
51 7
Totals .265 249 56
62' 78 27
52_15
81 58, X24
69 55 25>
Totals 250 243 91
RIPLEY •
84 74 10
95 85 23
Totals 179 159.33 Dryers Washers, Ranges, Refrigerators
- PRICES AS MARKED
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Lucknow
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