USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1891 > Part 3
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Ungraded Schools.
These, I think will compare favorably with the ungraded schools of other towns. The work of the teachers in these schools embraces primary, intermediate and grammar grades. In some of the schools there are almost as many classes as scholars, and four or five times as many recitations as class- es. The teachers are deserving of a share of commendation for the efforts they have shown in keeping up an interest among the pupils.
Teachers.
I do not think your schools ever had a better corps of teach- ers than at the present. They have worked hard to increase the efficiency of their schools, and by their diligence and ear- nestness have succeeded. It is to be hoped tney can be re- tained another year, and the progress will be more noticeable than in the year which has just closed. During the summer vacation, five of them attended summer schools, and the valua- ble instruction received there, enabled them to accomplish ex- cellent results in their schools.
Visits and Visitors.
My number of visits to the schools to March 7, is 205, averag- ing nearly 16 visits to each school. The length of the visits vary from three quarters of an hour to an hour and a half. An examination of the registers shows that some of the schools have been quite well visited by parents and friends. I would urge the importance of parents visiting the schools often. If they took more interest to become acquainted with the teachers, and their methods of instruction, the unjust and harsh criticisms would be less common, and a more friendly feeling exist be- tween parents and teachers.
ALBERT J. CURTIS, Superintendent.
COURSE OF STUDY.
PRIMARY GRADE.
FIRST YEAR.
Language .- Oral work. First, accustom the pupil to talk freely 8& and easily about familiar things. Second, teach the names of things-as the things in the room, parts of the house. Third, the qualities of things - as large, small, long short, rough, smooth. Fourth, lessons on color.
Reading .- The first lessons must be from the chart, and in script on the blackboard. The first half of Franklin's New First Reader. Teach the words first from objects. Keep on the board, if possible, the new words learned, and review them often.
Spelling .- Simple words from reader, chart and board.
Writing .- Words copied on ruled slates or paper from book, chart and blackboard.
Arithmetic .- Numbers from 1 to 10. Teach by objects and by figures ; also, the signs +, -, x, ;,=
1/2 of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
1/3 of 3, 6, 9.
14 of 4, 8.
Write on the slate all figures and characters used, and teach Roman numerals to X. Use of pennies, two cent pieces, nickles and dimes.
SECOND YEAR.
Language. - Previous work continued, adding lessons on plants and animals.
Reading .- Finish First Reader, and first half of Second Reader. Spelling .- Oral and written ; words selected from daily reading lessons.
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Writing .- The work of the previous year continued. No. 1 Tracing Book.
Arithmetic .- Numbers to 30, all combinations of each.
Read and write numbers to 100.
Roman numerals to L.
Applied numbers ; coin to $5.00, pint, quart, gallon, peck, bushel, ounce, pound, inch, foot, yard.
Fractions with denominators to 12 and numerators to 10.
THIRD YEAR.
Language .- Continue lessons on plants and animals. Add minerals. Relate stories from history and biography.
Reading .- Finish Second Reader and commence Third. Spelling .- Oral and written from Speller and Reading lessons. Writing .- Daily drill in correct forms of letters. Tracing Book No. 2, and Short Course No. 2.
Arithmetic .- Numbers to 100 and their combinations.
Write and read numbers to 1000.
Roman numerals to C.
Applied numbers ; day, week, month, year, second, minute, hour. Teach pupil to tell the time of day. Extend the above work in fractions, no denominator greater than 20. Addition, not more than ten numbers in a column. Sub. traction, figures in subtrahend less and greater than in min- uend. Multiplication and Division, one figure in multiplier and divisor.
Geography .- The lessons should be home Geography, position and direction, first the town, then the earth as a whole, shape, surface of land and water, illustrate from nature, maps, globe and pictures.
General Exercises through the Course .- Singing, gymnastics, marching. Selections suited to the grade memorized and recited.
INTERMEDIATE GRADE. FIRST YEAR.
Language .- Taught orally with use of Elementary Lessons, Hyde's Language Book Part I. Swinton's or Knox's. Reading .- Third Readers and Supplementary Third Readers. Spelling .- Oral and written from Speller and Reader.
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Writing .- Drill in slant and spacing of letters and words. Nos. 3 and 4 Short Course Copy books.
Arithmetic .- Write and read unmbers to millions. Roman
numerals to M. Drill thoroughly in the fundamental processes, using multiplier aud divisors of two and three figures. Extend the work in fractions. U. S. money con- stantly used. Problems from books and blackboard.
Geography .- Warren's Introductory, through North America. Teach by Topics. Moulding.
SECOND YEAR.
Language .- Taught orally as above.
Reading .- Fourth Readers and Supplementary Fourth Readers. Spelling .- Oral and written from Speller, Reader and Geog. raphy.
Writing .- Nos. 4 and 5 Small Copy-books.
Arithmetic .- Notation and Numeration. Greenleaf's Complete to page 54 .- Factoring. Colburn's Mental, Secs. III and IV. Geography .- Warren's Introductory finished. Moulding and map drawing.
THIRD YEAR.
Language .- Oral instruction. Elementary Lessons in English. Hyde's Language Book Part I. Swinton's or Knox's.
Reading .- Fourth Readers with Supplementary reading contin- ued.
Spelling .- Same as above.
Writing .- Advance Copy-book No. 4.
Arithmetic .- To Decimal Fractions. Constant use of drill tables. Have a good variety and number of examples in all the subjects. Give different pupils different examples to prevent copying.
Colburn's Mental. Secs. V and VI.
Geography .- Warren's Common School, through North Amer- ica-using the following topics : form, size, surface, features, drainage systems, varieties of soil and climate, projections, productions, races, occupations. Map drawing.
General exercises through the course .- Singing, gymnastics' marching. Selections memorized and recited. Physiology and hygiene, including special reference to the effect of alcohol and tobacco upon the human system.
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GRAMMAR GRADE.
FIRST YEAR.
Language .- Hyde's Lessons in English, Second Book, Patter- son's Elements of Grammar and Composition, or Swinton's commenced.
Reading .- Fifth Reader with Supplementary reading. Use dictionary for definition and pronounciation.
Spelling .- Continued.
Writing .- Advance Copy book No. 5.
Arithmetic .- To Percentage. Keep up practice in fundamental operations. Colburn's Mental, Secs. VII and VIII.
Geography .- The United States as a whole, and in sections. As a whole, use topics of N. A. In sections, use the follow- ing : (1) location, number of states in the section, character of surface, soil and climate Chief industries. Leading
products and exports. Capitals and leading cities. (2) Special study of Massachusetts. Location in U. S. and in New England, boundaries, size and population. Natural features, surface, rivers and soil. Advantages for agricul- ture, commerce, manufacturing, fishing. Chief industries, where located and why ? Exports, counties, cities, rail- roads. Map drawing.
Physiology and U. S. History .- Commenced.
SECOND YEAR.
Language .- Hyde's Second Book in English, Patterson's or Swinton's continued.
Reading .- The works of some author. Selections touching upon History and Geography, and specimens of good liter- ature.
Spelling .- Continued.
Writing .- No. 6 Advance Copy-book.
Arithmetic .- To Involution and Evolution. Review frequently. Require pupils to make problems introducing common business transactions. Explain all technical terms when the lesson is assigned.
Colburn's Mental Arithmetic, Secs. IX, X.
Geography .- Study British America and Mexico, using the same topics as the U. S. South America and Europe with topics of N. A. Map drawing.
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Physiology and U. S. History .- Continued.
THIRD YEAR.
Language .- Hyde's Lessons in English, Second Book, Patter- son's Elements of Grammar and Composition or Swinton's finished.
Reading .- Continued as in the previous year.
Spelling .-- Continued.
Writing .- No. 7, or Business Forms.
Arithmetic .-- Powers of numbers. Application of Square and Cube Root. Thorough review, with frequent examinations. Colburn's Mental, Secs. XI, XII, XIII.
Geography .- Asia, Africa, Australia and principal islands of the Pacific. Generel review and examinations.
Physiology and U. S. History .- Completed.
General Exercises through the Course .- Music, Declamations, Recitations, and Letter writing.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADE. FIRST YEAR.
Algebra ; English Analysis and Construction or Latin ; Phy- sical Geography.
Fridays .- Elements of English Composition ; Book-keeping ; Spelling ; Rhetorical Exercises ; Composition-writing ; Drawing.
SECOND YEAR.
Geometry ; Latin (Cæsar) or General History ; Physics ; Physiology reviewed.
THIRD YEAR.
Latin (Cicero) or French ; English Literature ; Chemistry two terms ; Astronomy one term.
Fridays-Botany ; Essay writing ; Spelling; Rhetorical Ex- ercises ; Drawing.
FOURTH YEAR.
Latin (Virgil)or French ; English Literature ; Arithmetic one term ; Geography one term ; English Grammar one term.
Fridays .- Civil Government ; Essay-writing : Spelling ; Rhet- orical Exercises ; Drawing.
Lectures during the course on Physiology and Hygiene.
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TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF DOUGLAS.
Another school year has passed, and in accordance with a time honored custom, we again submit our annual report for your consideration.
Perhaps the most radical change made in the management of our schools during the past year, was the establishment of a school superintendency. At a special meeting, held last March, the town voted to accept the provisions of Chapter 431 of the Acts of the Legislature of 1888, and to unite with Uxbridge, for the purpose of forming a union district, which would have spe- cial school supervision. The committeer of those towns met in joint convention, and after careful deliberations with regard to the qualifications of the various candidates for the position of superintendent, selected Mr. Albert J. Curtis, of Yarmouth, Me. an experienced teacher and a gentleman of fine literary attain- ments, whose report we submit to you for consideration.
As all familiar with school matters will readily admit, the ex- istence of so many ungraded schools is an impediment to rapid progress. Now, while it is essential that the ungraded schools be maintained in some districts, we do believe that a better system of gradations could be adopted for the schools of East Douglas. However, in our opinion, in order to effect this change, it would be necessary for the town to erect a new school house, centrally located.
A frequent change of teachers is generally detrimental to a school, owing to the different opinions with regard to methods . of instruction and governing. For this reason we are exceed- ingly pleased to note that there were but two changes in our corps of instructors during the past year, viz. :-- Miss Chamber- lain succeeded Miss Walker in Primary, No. 10, and Mr. Eaton succeeded Mr. Chase in the High School.
And now we wish to call attention to the subject of attend- ance. While recognizing the fact that the winter has been un- usually severe, and that some of the pupils have a long distance to travel, still we do consider that in many instances, the at- tendance has been far below a normal state. We assure you it is with a feeling of sincere regret that we note the number of tardinesses in the various schools. We ask, does this foster a feeling of promptitude in the child mind ? No. It is obvious to any one that a child who is frequently absent, or habitually tardy at school, not only loses all interest in his studies, but has implanted in his nature a habit which, in later years, will be difficult, if not impossible to eradicate. If parents would take this matter into consideration and also reflect on the fact that
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the period of school life is necessarily a brief one, we know they would be more solicitous to have their children attend school regularly, and would not allow them to absent themselves for trivial excuses. It is a significant fact that the pupils living in some of the outlying districts, are more punctual in attendance than some who live in close proximity to the school house.
Since our last report was issued, all of our schools have been in session thirty six weeks, which is the length of our school year. However, the High School will continue in session until March 20th, at the end of that time, will have completed its forty weeks school year. We take especial pride in calling at- tention to the excellent condition of this school, and the com- mittee feel that they have been very fortunate in securing the services of an instructor as efficient as is Mr. Eaton.
A special course of study, prepared for our schools by Supt. Curtis, has been adopted. This affects the High School more materially than the lower grades, as it provides for a four years' instead of a three years' course. While we acknowledge that this plan is highly commendable, we would suggest that the members of the present senior class desirous of graduating from the three years' course, under which they were admitted, be al- lowed that privilege, and the remaining members could pursue their studies according to the revised curriculum.
It is gratifying to the school board, as well as to the teachers. to see the interest parents have manifested by occasional visits to the schools. We wish this custom was more generally ob- served. Every child has an intuitive love of approbation, and an encouraging word fitly spoken by a visitor, may often prove an incentive to accomplish better results.
And now we come to the subject of school appropriations. We think it well to enumerate the repairs and improvements which seem necessary for the ensuing year. A new floor is re- quired for the building in No. 10. A full set of new windows should be placed in school building No. 2. Perhaps a word here is not out of place on the wretched condition of the out- buildings connected with many of our schools. We believe it to be the imperative duty of school authorities to provide that nothing be allowed in connection with our schools which will tend to degrade the moral nature of our children. We suggest that a sufficient sum be appropriated for that purpose, and would recommend the following appropriations for the coming year :
.
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Schools, Books and Supplies, -
$4,400 00 500 00
Permanent repairs,
200 00
We feel that the general condition of our schools is satisfactory. In conclusion we might say that in the schools are the chil- dren of all classes. The characters of those children are as yet unformed. We believe that conscientious educators will not forget the fact that the ethical as well as the intellectual nature of the child should be developed. And it is our earnest desire that the pupils now in our schools may be so trained that they will not only show proficiency in literary qualifications, but in whatever sphere of life they are placed, they will be recog- nized as useful men and women.
WILLIAM W. BROWN, ¿ Superintending GEO. P. B. CLARKE, Committee.
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