USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1887 > Part 6
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If over-pressure exists in any of our schools, I think it is to a very small extent, and mostly due to exceptional causes. Mental work, if it is not of excessive amount or unsuited to the mental capacity of the child, is healthful rather than injurious. It should be borne in mind, how- ever, that the arrangements of school work must necessa- rily be made to suit the strength and ability of the average child, and cannot exactly fit one who is below the average in health or intellect. The child, therefore, that is de- ficient in strength of either mind or body is liable to overwork, and needs very careful watching on the part of parent and teacher. Much thought has been given to lessening the danger to this class, and I think that the cordial, frank co-operation of parent and teacher will re- move most of it.
If a child below the eighth grade uses his time in school faithfully, and is fitted for the grade he is in, he should have no occasion for home work, unless it be prac- tice in reading aloud or some occasional work, and it is better for him not to do any at home except such occa- sional work. A case where it is frequently necessary is a fit one for investigation on the part of the parent to dis- cover the causes. If the child is working faithfully in school, it should be carefully considered whether he is in his proper place. If the work is more than he can easily carry, he should drop one study and devote his energies to the others, doing two years' work in three, and parent and pupil ought to realize that there is no disgrace incurred by such an arrangement, caused by inability, not by indolence.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
The teacher should carefully watch his pupils, and when convinced that the strength of any one is not sufficient, urge such a course upon his parents. He should also study the failures in doing the work, that he may not worry a faithful, conscientious pupil by censuring him for that which may be due to temporary indisposition or to the lack of needed aid from the teacher. In large schools this is very difficult, and even impossible. I believe that very many of the cases of overwork that occur are due to the fact of the teacher having too many pupils to care for and teach. But however careful our teachers may be, and I know that many of them do carefully watch their pupils' health, the hearty co-operation of the parent is also needed, as is shown by a recent case where a teacher has twice reported to a parent that so long a confinement is too much for her child, so that she frequently has headaches, and should be dismissed early, but she is unable to get the parent's consent to dismiss her. This child will probably grow up to be an example of over-pressure in the schools.
To remove as far as possible all occasion for worry, no "annual " examinations are given, and teachers are recom- mended to give the examinations they do give without any previous notice, and to say and do nothing that shall cause the pupil to feel more anxiety as to their results than as to the results of the daily recitation. It is unpardonable to worry a child by the anticipation of failure or by continu- ally directing the thought to it after it has occurred. As the warm weather comes on it is my custom to direct the teachers to lessen the work.
In all grades care should be given that the pupil's attention be not held to one thing too long, never above fifteen minutes in the primaries, and seldom above thirty in the grammar.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
But in all this, much depends upon the parent. How often is the child sacrificed on the altar of the parents' pride. A frail girl is urged to her utmost to outshine her fellows, or a precocious boy spurred on in advance of his capacity and maturity of mind. On the contrary, a parent should see that his child does his work well, but he should carefully avoid extra stimulus or excitement unless the child is thoroughly well and strong. In the case of girls there is much need for the parent to insist on much 'open- air exercise, an abundance of good, healthy food, and an exceedingly limited amount of parties and sitting up late during term time. With such care, added to the careful watching of a teacher who is never called on to study the health and constitution of more than forty pupils, I think over-pressure would seldom be found, and I take this occa- sion to say that it is my desire to detect every such case in our schools and take proper measures to alleviate it.
NO RECESS.
For a year and a half the schools have followed the "no recess " plan. Last year, and also this, I made in- quiries of all the teachers as to its results. The universal testimony is that it is very satisfactory to the teachers, and also to the parents, as far as their opinion is known. The only thing approaching to complaint in this connection has been concerning excuses to leave the room, and the co- operation of the parents with teachers will easily remove this.
PHYSICAL TRAINING.
In the middle of every session each teacher is required to give the children a marching or calisthenic exercise, at
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ANNUAL REPORT.
the same time airing the room. In many of the higher grades the pupils go through a regular drill in light gym- nastics calculated to exercise all parts of the body. Quite a number of schools have purchased wooden dumb-bells to add to the pleasure and effectiveness of the exercise. In the High School and higher grammar grades more time is used, and the exercises are more elaborate in their char- acter, being accompanied by music. It has proved a highly profitable and enjoyable feature of school life. I deem it a feature that will have much effect on the health and bearing of the pupils in after life, and have given it my hearty encouragement. It is desirable that all the grammar grades be supplied with light wooden bells for this pur- pose.
MUSIC.
The position of music is no longer a debatable one in the Attleborough schools. It holds its place as a regular and important part of the system in all grades, from the highest to the lowest, and the results are more and more satisfactory each year. Special attention has been given this year to individual work and to training each pupil to think the sounds indicated by the notes. There has also been an advance in systematizing the instruction and test- ing its results. Our schools are so widely separated, and have increased so much since instruction in music was introduced, that there is a necessity for some modification of the present plan of instruction so that the work of the music teachers shall be directed more toward the instruc- tion of the regular teachers as to the work their schools should do from week to week, and the best methods of attaining these results, the work of the special teacher in the school room being the testing of the results attained
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ANNUAL REPORT.
by the regular teacher in the interval between his visits, and in giving specimen lessons to show the teacher what she is to do.
Our teachers in general are in hearty sympathy with the work, and endeavor to faithfully carry it on.
While it is not necessary that a teacher should be a fine singer, she should know how to sing in time and tune, and possess the ability to judge the accuracy of tone and rhythm, and in engaging new teachers one of the neces- sary qualifications should be the ability to carry out the instructions of the music teacher.
DRAWING,
Drawing is now taught in all grades, from the first year in the primary to the last year in the High School. There is, of course, a great advance on what we were doing in that branch of study three years ago, still the results are not entirely satisfactory. The work is too largely rote work, the copying of pictures of objects rather than drawing from the objects themselves. In some schools there is good work done in designing, but on the whole there is too little independent invention. I hope, in the coming year, to be able to bring this study up to a higher position, but I am convinced that the best results cannot be expected until this work is put into the hands of a spe- cial teacher, who has a special taste and training for the work. Our teachers are faithful in following out the course, but there is no branch of study in which it is more difficult for one not specially trained in that line, to do anything but routine work. They need some one who has made the teaching of drawing a specialty, who shall plan for them, instruct them in ways and means, and criticise their work.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
From the nature of our industries, and the value to our workers of the ability to work out with the pencil the thought that is in the mind, there is no one branch of study that, from practical considerations, it is more desir- able should be brought to the highest degree of effective- ness.
WRITING.
In respect to the age at which our pupils learn to write, the progress of our schools is very satisfactory. They now begin to write with ink in the third school year, so that if a child should leave school at the end of that year he would take with him the ability to write, while even in the second grade many of the children can write quite creditably with a pencil. In respect to the excel- lence of the writing, however, we have not yet attained as good results as we ought. Too few of our pupils gain that clear, legible, well-formed handwriting which should be the endowment of all who graduate from the grammar schools. I think this is due largely to the fact that this branch is one of the last to feel the effects of the new life in education, and has not received the attention and study on the part of the teachers that the other branches have.
Efforts have been made to arouse the enthusiasm of the teachers, that they may stimulate their pupils in this study, and create in them an admiration for good writing and a desire to obtain it. Much improvement should be expected this year.
HIGH SCHOOLS.
In no part of the system is the steady advance of our school interests more apparent than in the high schools. In consequence of the improved condition and closer regu-
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lation of the lower schools, the entering classes were unusually large this year, and, being better fitted for the high school work, have kept their number almost un- broken. There has also been a steady improvement in earnestness and application to work on the part of the pupils.
The revised course of study (see Appendix) gives a choice between three lines of work. The classical course is intended for those who wish to enter college after grad- uation from the high school, and any pupil of good ability who elects this course at his entrance, and shows proper devotion to work, will at graduation be fitted to enter any of our colleges. For those who do not expect to attend a higher school the general course is arranged, requiring four years to complete it. Those who have not the inclination or ability to study Latin may take the English course, which is completed in three years. It is desirable that this course should also require four years for its completion, but as this would create additional recitations, it is not advisable to try it with our present number of teachers. When each school shall have three instructors this change may be possible.
If the pupil intends to enter a college, he must begin the classical course when he enters the high school. Those who do not look forward to college pursue the same studies during the first year, whether they take the general or the English course, but at the end of the first year must defi- nitely decide which course they will take.
It is my conviction that the education given and the character formed by the general course is much superior to that furnished by the English course, and I would urge that all pupils who can should take this course if grad- uation from the high school is to end their school life.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
In regard to these courses of study, it should be said that they are not inflexible. While it is necessary that a pupil should follow out one of them satisfactorily in order to graduate, it is assumed that the school is for the pupils, not the pupils for the school, and every modification that is possible will be made to suit the necessities of exceptional cases. Those pupils whose health does not permit their do- ing the full work of their companions may take two studies and do two years' work in three, while those whose cir- cumstances forbid the completion of a full course may take particular studies to meet their particular needs while they can attend, with the understanding, however, that nothing but the full completion of one of the courses entitles one to graduation. In all such matters the parents are cordially invited to confer with the principals of the schools.
It should be borne in mind that in the high school the value of the course is not so much the knowledge that is taught as it is the character that is formed. The habits of industry and regularity, of close thinking and persistent work, the respect for authority, the higher aims, the stronger character, the more manly bearing, that are gained by the pupil in a well ordered high school, under the daily influence of instructors of refinement and char- acter, who appreciate their opportunities and responsibility in impressing the character of the young people under them, will do more to affect his future than all the elements of various studies that he has learned there.
The present excellent condition of both high schools, the prospect of their steady growth in size and efficiency, and the high character of their corps of instructors, may well cause the parent to look forward with satisfaction to the time when his child shall share in their benefits.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
GENERAL CONDITION OF THE SCHOOLS.
On the whole, the condition of the schools is satis- factory. They have never moved on more smoothly or with fewer complaints. The methods of instruction have been steadily improving, the teachers generally are earn- est and conscientious in their work, and the relations be- tween teachers and pupils are usually cordial.
Special attention has been directed to the language work, and as a training in this line, as well as for the attainment of greater efficiency in work, the teachers are urged to make all possible use of topical methods in reci- tation, requiring the pupil to give in his own words, with little interruption, the substance of the topic under con- sideration. One of the most valuable results that our schools should give is the ability of the pupil to think while on his feet, and to express his thought readily in clear language. Special attention should also be given to training pupils to do independent study and think out their work, avoiding all parrot-like recitation.
In the arrangement of classes it would be an improve- ment to give each teacher forty pupils of two nearly equal grades, rather than forty pupils of one grade. Nearly all the recitation work in a school of one grade should be done in two divisions ; thus the number of recitations with one grade in a room is about the same as it would be with a like number of pupils in two grades. The higher grade would suffer no loss in consequence of each teacher having two grades, while many of the lower grade would gain much by what they heard of the recitation of the higher grade. There would also be a greater variety of work for the teacher, and no necessity for teaching the same thing twice each day, with the loss of interest which necessarily follows from such repetition.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
TEACHERS.
Among sixty teachers there must necessarily occur some changes cach year, and the character of those chosen to fill their places has much to do with the future of our schools. Good grading, abundant material and skillful supervision cannot keep up an excellent system of schools without good teachers. The teacher makes the school. The strength of discipline, the thoroughness of training, the attractiveness of the work, must all come from her. When, in addition to this, we consider that our children are under her control and her influence five hours per day for nearly two hundred days in each year of the most sus- ceptible part of their lives, it seems difficult to have too high an ideal in seeking a teacher. Her character must not only be above reproach ; it must be strong enough to form aright the character of those she teaches. True re- finement must appear in manners, dress and language. She must possess sound "common sense," great self-control and tact in dealing with children. Above all, her heart must be in her work ; she must be no mere wage-earner, but one who works with a devotion that springs from a sense of the responsibility that rests on her in undertaking a work the results of which may last through all eternity ; who will spare neither time nor labor in studying and moulding the characters of those put into her charge. Added to these qualities of mind and spirit must be a sufficient preparation for the work-an education broader than the ground she is to teach, a familiarity with the principles and methods of teaching, and a knowledge of the highest kind of school government, with the ability to create it.
These are a few of the desirable qualifications of a teacher-enough to show that the engagement of teachers
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ANNUAL REPORT.
is one of the most important and most difficult of duties. It is an easy matter to find fifty who will undertake to teach a given school, but the finding of only one true teacher is a matter requiring much time and trouble.
In closing, I wish especially to acknowledge the conscientiousness and earnestness of our teachers, the cordiality and promptness with which they have assisted me in my work, and the readiness they have shown to carry out any suggestions made to increase the efficiency of our schools.
I desire also to express my appreciation of the kind- ness and assistance shown me by the School Committee in my efforts to improve the comfort of the pupils and raise our school work to the highest possible grade.
HENRY M. MAXSON, Superintendent of Schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
ROLL OF HONOR,
PUPILS NOT ABSENT OR TARDY FOR ONE
YEAR.
NORTH HIGH.
Lizzie Todd,
Nellie Wright,
Florence Wood,
Gertie Carter.
PARK ST.
Grade VII. Frank R. Halleran.
Grade VI. James McLaughlin.
Grade III. Tommie Casey.
HIGH ST.
Grammar. George Todd.
BANK ST.
Grade VIII. William Mouser.
Grade VIII. Henry Barden.
Grade VII. James Dunn.
Grade VII. Fred Sears.
Grade VII. Irma Richards.
Grade VII. Willie Ward (perfect 4 years).
Grade IV. Eddie Bliss.
Grade III. Frank Kennedy.
Grade II. Jessie Stanley.
Grade I. Harry Keith.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
FALLS.
Grades V & VI. Lillie Brennan.
Grades V & VI. Minnie Klee.
Grades III & IV.
Manora Jenness.
Grades I & II. Stella Brennan.
HOLMES.
Grace Parker.
ELLIS.
Walter Follett.
SANFORD ST.
Grade VII. Charles Parmenter.
Grade VII.
Minnie Crosby.
Grade VII. Annie Eden.
Grade VII. Bertha Frink.
Grade VII. Florence Harwood.
Grade VII. Edna Makepeace.
Grade VI. Florence Sweet.
Grade VI. Amy White.
Grades V & VI. Mabel Crosby.
Grades V & VI. Jennie Harty.
Grades V & VI.
Allie Trafton.
Grades V & VI. Howard White.
Grade IV. Mabel Bennett.
DODGEVILLE.
John Bauer, Rosanna Paul.
HEBRONVILLE. Mamie Brady.
CITY. Josie Nickerson, John Gallagher, Charles Mayall,
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ANNUAL REPORT.
CITY. Emery Orr, Edith Mayall, John Russell.
TURNPIKE. Mary Powers, Maggie Powers.
ADAMSDALE. Eva Brien, Bertha Powers, Wendell Powers.
OLDTOWN.
Miriam Whitehill.
,
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ANNUAL REPORT.
SCHOOLS PERFECT IN PUNCTUALITY FOR A MONTH.
SANFORD ST.
Grade VII. Hannah Pratt, teacher, perfect one year.
ADAMSDALE.
Theresa Pratt, teacher, seven months.
SANFORD ST.
Grade V. Mrs. O. C. Chatterton, teacher, five months.
Grade II. Lucy C. Sweet, teacher, five months.
PERRY.
M. R. Hawes, teacher, five months.
FARMERS.
M. A. Houghton, teacher, four months.
PLEASANT ST.
N. A. Dwight, teacher, four months.
PARK ST.
Grade VII. E. E. Whiting, teacher, three months.
OLDTOWN.
M. G. Stroud, teacher, three months.
HOLMES.
Clara E. Kent, teacher, three months.
SANFORD ST.
Grade III. A. D. Graham, teacher, three months.
ELLIS.
Jennie E. Ellis, teacher, one month.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
SANFORD ST.
Grade VI. Mrs. M. J. Munro, teacher, one month. Grade V, VI. E. E. Woodard, teacher, one month.
DODGEVILLE.
Grades I, II. Carrie L. Perry, teacher, one month.
TURNPIKE.
Jennie E. Horton, teacher, one month.
BRIGGSVILLE.
Mrs. J. L. Brigham, teacher, one month.
BANK ST.
Grade I. Lillian C. Albee, teacher, one month.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
GRADUATES OF THE HIGH SCHOOLS-1886.
NORTH HIGH.
FOUR YEARS' COURSE.
Nellie L. Blanchard, Minnie F. Hall,
Addie Morse, Helen Peirce,
Jennie M. Sears, Belle J. Tifft.
THREE YEARS' COURSE.
Charles O. Mason, Anna C. Mendell, Jennie O. Wood.
EAST HIGH.
FOUR YEARS' COURSE. Sara Caroline Field,
Helen Maria Austin,
Susie Adeline Matteson, Evie Mendell Parlow, Archie B. Rounds, Samuel Percy Lathrop,
THREE YEARS' COURSE. Everard Colby Fuller.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
COURSE OF STUDY OF HIGH SCHOOLS. GENERAL COURSE.
FALL TERM.
WINTER TERM.
SPRING TERM.
Ist year.
Ancient History, Commercial Arithmetic, English Composition.
Mediæval History, Book-Keeping, Advanced Analysis.
Modern History, Physiology, Rhetoric.
- Algebra, Latin, - Physics.
Algebra, Latin, Physics.
Algebra, Latin, Chemistry.
3d year.
Geometry, Latin or
French, Chemistry.
Geometry, Latin or French, Astronomy.
Geometry, Latin or French, Reviews.
4th year. 1
American Authors, Latin or French,
Civil Government.
English Literature, Latin or French, Political Economy.
English Literature, Latin or French, Botany.
2d year.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
COURSE OF STUDY OF HIGH SCHOOLS.
CLASSICAL COURSE.
FALL TERM.
WINTER TERM.
SPRING TERM.
Ancient History.
Mediaval History. Modern History.
Latin, English Composition.
Latin, Advanced Analysis.
Latin, Rhetoric.
Algebra, Latin, Greek.
Algebra, Latin, Greek.
Algebra, Latin, Greek.
Geometry, Latin, Greek.
Geometry, Latin, Greek.
Geometry, Latin, Greek,
Latin, Greek, French.
Latin, Greek, French.
Latin, Greek, French.
.
ANNUAL REPORT.
167
COURSE OF STUDY OF HIGH SCHOOLS.
ENGLISH COURSE.
FALL TERM.
WINTER TERM.
SPRING TERM.
Ist year.
Ancient History, Commercial
Mediæval History, Book-Keeping,
Arithmetic, Advanced
English Composition.
Analysis.
Modern History, Physiology, Rhetoric.
2d year.
Algebra, Physics, Civil
Algebra, Physics,
Algebra, Chemistry,
Government.
Political Economy. Botany.
3d year.
Geometry, Chemistry, American Authors.
Geometry, Astronomy, English Literature.
Geometry, Reviews, English
Literature.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
THE HEALTH OF PUPILS.
A SET OF PLAIN RULES FOR DAILY OBSERVANCE IN THE SCHOOL ROOM.
[Useful Hints to Teachers by DR. MORAN, of Boston. ]
Open the windows wide during the practice of calis- thenics.
After each session see that the windows are thrown open.
Windows are the best ventilators in most rooms. Let your attention be frequently directed to that fact. Make judicious use of the boards at the bottom of the windows.
A small piece of ribbon six or eight inches long, sus- pended from the upper part of the window frame, will greatly assist you in securing the proper ventilation of your room.
Occasionally step outside and compare the "feeling" of the air there with that inside the room.
As many of the ventiducts are constructed, the upper and lower openings in same flue do not work well together. They do not "draw" well when both are open, the one interfering with the other. Teachers can readily observe this difficulty, and in some measure regulate it. For over- heated rooms, the use of the upper apertures furnishes the speedier relief.
The heated and vitiated air at the top of the room must be expelled. If there are no provisions made in the ventiducts for that purpose, use the upper sash of the window.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
The registers should always be open. They are the only source of the supply of fresh air when the weather or the wind precludes the use of windows. This applies to rooms heated by furnace or steam ..
The air from the basement should not be allowed to enter any of the boxes or pipes which supply air to the school room. This rule ought to be made imperative.
Where hot air furnaces are used, see that the water pan is kept properly supplied.
It would be a useful custom to note the indications of the thermometer at intervals of an hour during the session. The thermometer should not hang more than four feet from the floor.
Instruct janitors to use the utmost vigilance in keep- ing clean the privies and urinals. Choosing the proper times, they cannot be too frequently flushed and cleansed. The sparing of water in these particulars is mistaken economy.
Where the old-fashioned and objectionable vaults and troughs still obtain, order the use of disinfectants in suffi- cient quantity and frequency to be effectual.
Regulate the seating and desk accommodations ac- cording to the size of the pupils. In this way many bad habits of posture, perhaps deformity, may be avoided.
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