The subject of this essay is the elaboration of a draft of the teaching material for the elementary class. According to this draft the author has tried to classify the basic teaching material into four categories: things, orientation of the pupil at home, in nature and in society. He uses Lindner’s essay »Eine Cardinalfrage der Schulpadagogik«, published in 1875, as an evaluating guide. School practice is seen by him on the one hand as an objective process determined by the school curriculum, teaching helps and educational theory, on the other hand as an educational process of a subjective character depending on the standard of the teacher’s didactic practice. Overestimation of the former (i. e. the given norms) makes teaching mechanical, while overestimation of the latter (i. e. the individuality of the teacher) leads to unequal results being achieved in instruction.
The starting point for the next part of this essay is provided by Soviet pedagogics, particularly by Goncharov’s conception of theory and practice. The author analyses the character of the teaching process, which does not correspond to the psychical process of acquiring knowledge on the part of children. He finds grounds for it in the marxistloninist theory of knowledge, from which he proceeds in expounding the dialectical manner of teaching. In the end he arrives at the conception of basic instruction according to Otokar Chlup’s formulation.
In conclusion the author points out that the basic teaching material can be determined only by analysing organised school practice. As a proof he adds specimens of three texts: Morning at Home. May Day — Festival of Labour. In a Meadow in Summer.