USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1895 > Part 6
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We realize that the new course is not perfect, but we think it is an improvement over the old one. Some things we
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should like to have had different, but present conditions would not permit. Since a course of study is a growth and a development, and, therefore, subject to change, such changes will be made from time to time as experience may prove necessary.
About the middle of the year the "Middleborough High School Alumni Association" was organized. Two successful meetings have thus far been held. At the last meeting Mrs. Annie D. Deane of the School Committee read an interesting paper on "The History of the Middleborough High School."
During the fall term the Middleborough High School Lit- erary Society was organized. Meetings are held once in two weeks. The pupils are enthusiastic over it, and its success is assured. We confidently look to it for good results.
The needs of the school are (1) better accommodations, and (2) a better equipment of reference books, charts, and apparatus.
Your attention is invited to the report of the principal of the school (Exhibit B,) and to Mrs. Deane's paper (Appendix.)
PROGRAMME FOR SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.
The efficiency of all schools depends almost wholly upon the character of the teachers, the employment of correct methods of teaching and the proper means of school manage- ment, and skilled supervision. A properly arranged daily programme of recitations and study periods is a very impor- tant means of school management, and this is especially true in the suburban schools having mixed grades.
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The course of study in these schools is essentially the same as that for the Central schools, except in music, drawing, and nature study. It is divided into nine grades, each grade representing a year's work for the average pupil. It very seldom happens that all the grades are represented in one school at one time ; but enough are always represented to tax the knowledge and skill of the teachers to the utmost to know how best to deal with the different grades in the limited time at their disposal.
Recognizing the need of a well arranged programme for these schools, one was prepared and introduced in November. It is adapted to schools having all the grades as well as to those having a less number. It requires the division of a school into three sections-A, B and C. The time assigned to each of a section's recitation and study periods is the time belong- ing to the grades of that section. The time given to the reci- tation periods of a section is not equally divided between or among the grades of the section, day after day, but varies depending on the nature of the lessons and the needs of the class. The combined exercises must not, however, exceed the time assigned to a section for any one subject.
The following, with the exception of a few slight changes and omissions, is a copy of the programme and the notes which accompanied it when it was first given to the teachers. It was fully explained in November at a meeting of the teach- ers of these schools.
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Time of Length of Period.
Class.
C. B. A.
9.00 15 Opening Exercises and General Lesson.
9.15 20 Seat Work.
Reading. *Reading.
9.35 20 Silent Reading.
*Reading. Arithmetic.
9.55
20 *Reading.
Arithmetic. Arithmetic.
10.15 25
Seat Work.
Arithmetic. * Arithmetic.
10.40 10
Recess.
10.50 25 Arithmetic.
11.15 25 * Arithmetic.
* Arithmetic. Language. Seat Work. Language.
11.40
20 Excused from School. Language. * Language. Noon Intermission.
1.00 15 Music and General Lesson.
1.15
20 Silent Reading.
*Language. Geography.
1.35
20 *Reading.
Geography. Geography.
1.55 20 Seat Work. Geography. * Geography.
2.15 20 *Writing.
*Writing. * Writing.
2.35 10
Recess.
2.45 20 Seat Work.
*Geography. Spelling.
3.05 20 * Drawing.
*Drawing. *Drawing.
3.25 5 Physical Exercises.
3.30 15 Excused from School. Spelling. *Spelling.
3.45 15
*Spelling. Reading.
*The recitations are indicated by a star.
NOTES.
History in grades IV-VII is included under reading. Two lessons a week will be sufficient. A formal study of history, including the elements of civil government, is to be made in grades VIII and IX, three lessons a week in place of reading.
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In the primary grades spelling is to be taught in connec- tion with reading.
The writing lessons two or three days each week may be in the nature of written language work.
Music is to be taught four days each week.
For instruction in drawing the school is to be divided into two sections, section one including the first four grades, and section two all grades above. On Friday the time assigned to drawing may be taken for general exercises.
The general lessons should include current events, nature study, study of gem selections of poetry and prose, and morals and manners.
In grade IX, arithmetic is to be taught three days each week during the fall and spring terms, and one day each week during the winter term; book-keeping, two days each week during the winter term; and elementary algebra, two days throughout the year.
Physiology is to be taught during the winter term. In primary grades, three of the general lesson periods, and in grades above, three of the geography periods, each week, are to be given to instruction in this branch. Throughout the year such incidental instruction should be given as occasion may demand, and teachers should exercise great care that the pupils live up to the knowledge gained by a judicious study of this important branch.
Excellent suggestions for seat work are found in Miss Arnold's "Waymarks for Teachers."
The subject of daily programme for ungraded schools is admirably treated in White's "School Management," a study
43
of which has been of great assistance in the preparation of this programme. Every teacher should study it.
The programme has been in use two months, and the teachers are well pleased with its workings. It is not per- fect, and such changes will be made as further study and experience may prove necessary .
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
Our energies have been directed to the perfection of lines of work already begun rather than the introduction of new ones. The work was characterized by an earnestness of effort on the part of teachers and pupils which was commendable, and, in general, the results were better than the year before.
The teaching of reading received a large share of our atten- tion, and good progress was made. The pupils now read forty per cent. better than they did two years ago. The course in literature was extended.
The work in history was extended. It now includes the following books, each pupil being supplied with a copy. Grade IV has Dodge's "American History Stories"; grade V, Eggleston's " A First Book in American History"; grade VI, Hawthorne's "True Stories from New England History"; grade VII, Eggleston's " A History of the United States and Its People"; grades VIII and IX, Fiske's " A History of the United States for Schools".
In grades IV-VII the prescribed books are read and dis- cussed. Most of the reading is done in class, though some of it is done at home. Two lessons a week throughout the year are prescribed. In grades VIII and IX a formal study of the
44
subject is made. The elements of civil government are taught in grade IX.
Poems and prose selections of a historical nature are studied and memorized in connection with the work in history. The following is the prescribed list: Grade I, " America"; grade II, " Barbara Frietchie"; grade III, "The Star Spangled Banner"; grade IV, "Paul Revere's Ride"; grade V, "Inde- pendence Bell"; grade VI, "Hail Columbia"; grade VII, "The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers"; grade VIII, "The Red, White, and Blue"; grade IX, "Love of Country " and " Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Speech".
In the primary grades the pupils are expected to repeat the words, and in the grammar grades to repeat and write the words. In grades above the first, the poems of preceding grades are reviewed. The songs are sung as well as recited. More should, if possible, be done along this line than is pre- scribed.
Our aims in historical teaching have been as follows :-
1. The acquisition of a body of useful facts.
2. Cultivation of memory, imagination, judgment, and reasoning.
3. Moral training.
4. Preparation for citizenship.
5. Training in literary expression.
6. To create an interest in history, develop a taste for historical reading, and provide the pupil with both the power and the disposition to study the subject for himself in a sys- tematic way.
Nature study received more attention than formerly, but
45
not as much as the importance of the subject demands. It is our intention to arrange and introduce during the coming year a regular course in the study of plants and animals.
The results in music are not what they should be for the time and labor that is spent in its teaching. This is not the fault of the teachers, for most of them tried to do their best under existing conditions. The results in drawing are better.
In last year's report, in reference to the teaching of these subjects, I said : "The importance of the subjects and the good results that will follow, if they are properly taught, demand that such provisions be made that the teaching may be as effectual as in the other subjects of the curriculum. The schools have been amply supplied with materials for the work; but if these materials are not properly used, and the teaching is not of the right sort, the results will not be commensurate with the time and expense involved. We need the services of a skilled supervisor, one who is able to instruct, guide, and inspire the teachers and the pupils."
I heartily second the unanimous decision of the Committee to ask for an appropriation to pay the services of a supervisor of music, and I hope that the town will see fit to comply with the request.
Elementary algebra was introduced into the ninth grade near the close of the year.
In last year's report attention was called to the fact that near the close of the year the work of the grammar schools was arranged in two parallel courses, one to be accomplished in six years and the other in four years. The plan was fol-
46
lowed during the past year, and while it is too early to speak definitely of its success, the results so far have been good, and it will be continued during the coming year. It is as follows :-
The course of study is divided in two ways: (1) to cover six years ; (2) to cover four years.
The six years' course is divided as before into six grades called grades four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine. The four years' course is divided into four grades called grades D, C, B, and A.
When pupils enter the grammar schools they will begin the year's work together, but at the end of two or three months they will be separated into two divisions, remaining in the same room under the same teacher. During the year one division (grade four) will complete one-sixth of the course, and the other division (grade D) will complete one- fourth of it.
During the second year grade C will be in the same room as grade four. At the end of the year both grades will have completed one-half of the course of study-the one in two years and the other in three years.
The plan for the last half of the course is the same as for the first half.
The course may also be completed in five years in two ways : (1) A pupil in the four years' course may, at the end of two years, be transferred to grade seven and com- plete the remainder of the course in three years. (2) A pupil in the six years' course may, at the end of three years, be transferred to grade B and complete the remainder of the
47
course in two years. These changes do not necessitate the omitting or repeating any part of the course.
Departmental teaching was continued in the three highest grades of the Main Street Grammar School with good results.
CONCLUSION.
In concluding, I wish to express my sincere appreciation of the kind and generous support received from the School Committee, teachers, pupils, and friends of the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
ASHER J. JACOBY,
Superintendent of Public Schools.
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EXHIBIT A.
STATISTICAL TABLE OF THE SCHOOLS, 1895.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
GRADES.
Number
Registered.
Membership.
Average Daily Attendance.
Per cent. of
Attendance.
High.
Walter Sampson, Prin. Grace Allen.
146
107
103
96
Jennie Bennett.
Main street.
4
John P. Arnold, Prin.
IX
54
44
41
93
3
Annie A. Lovell.
VIII & D
44
41
39
95
2
Nellie M. Bennett.
VII & C
52
46
44
95
1
Flora L. Nickerson.
VI & B
50
48
44
93
Union street.
2
Flor. E. Thompson, Prin.
IV-V &A
96
82
76
93
1
M. Evelyn Holloway.
III
49
42
40
94
School street.
3
Lizzie B. Lucas, Prin.
II
65
62
57
92
2
Edith A. Roberts.
I
44
43
37
86
1 Eleanor A. Barden.
I 109
62
54
87
3
Eva M. Hopkins, Prin.
27
23
21
91
2
Lillian M. Thomas.
38
37
33
89
1
A. Belle Tenney.
I
29
25
21
84
Pleasant street.
E. Frances Dunham.
Mixed.
36
25
24
97
Plymouth “
Charlotte E. Flagg.
20
15
14
91
Purchade.
Lucia A. Drake.
66
53
33
33
91
Nemasket.
Myra L. Atwood.
66
43
25
22
88
Soule.
Carrie E. Soule.
66
19
11
10
93
Waterville.
Carolyn H. Parker.
66
35
28
26
92
Green.
C. Augusta Thomas.
54
40
37
93
Fall Brook.
Sarah O. Morse.
66
31
20
17
88
Thomastown.
Frances M. Perry.
66
29
21
20
95
So. Middleboro.
Bessie B. Gibbs.
66
30
22
20
88
Highland.
Emma N. Phinney.
66
17
13
11
85
Rock.
Mary E. Deane.
66
40
29
23
82
Wappanucket.
Helen S. Maxim.
66
25
14
12
S5
H. Gertrude Holmes, Ass't.
Ethel G. Nichols, Ass't.
VI-VIII II-V
West Side.
Alice W. Collins.
ROOMS.
Average
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EXHIBIT B.
Mr. A. J. Jacoby, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR :- I take pleasure in calling your attention to the following report of the High School for the school year just completed :
The total enrollment during the year was 146, a decrease of 13 from that of the preceding year. The average number belonging was 107, a decrease of 2. The average daily attendance was 103, a decrease of 2. These slight decreases were due largely to the fact that the entering class in Septem- ber was smaller than usual. The percentage of daily attend- ance to the average number belonging was 96, the same as the preceding year.
The number of half-days' absence for the year was 1592-a loss equivalent to a four years' course in the High School for one pupil. The number looks smaller, however, when we consider that it means the absence of four scholars each day from a school numbering 107. There has been a marked im- provement in punctuality, the number of cases of tardiness being less than half that of 1894.
The school has been favored with 161 visits. It is worthy of notice that a large percentage of these has occurred Friday afternoons during rhetorical exercises. I think that the citi- zens of the town would get a larger idea of the work of the school, if they would attend the regular class-room exercises as well. They would also realize that we are very much in need of an additional recitation-room to carry on our work to the best advantage.
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Some changes have been made in the High School course during the year-changes for the better we firmly believe. I would call attention to the drill in English Composition dur- ing the first term of the first year's work as one of these. I think it would be well for parents to examine carefully the programme of the courses, and help the child decide which course he is to pursue, before the child enters the school.
The following statistics for the month of December may be of interest : Whole number of pupils, 108; first class, 17- 9 boys and 8 girls ; second class, 24-6 boys and 18 girls ; third class, 29-10 boys and 19 girls ; fourth class, 38-20 boys and 18 girls ; total, 45 boys and 63 girls. Of these, 51 are taking the English-Latin, 47 the English, and 10 the Classical course. About 44 per cent. are boys, and 56 per cent., girls. I think that this is the largest per cent. of boys ' there has been in the High School since my connection with it.
I cannot help thinking that many leave school at an early' age, with the ready consent or even encouragement of parents, who do not fully realize the wealth of opportunity offered by our free public school system ; that it is the privilege of every boy and girl in this Commonwealth to obtain a High school education without costing his parents an additional penny for school books or tuition ; that, if they desire to continue this line of study in college or scientific school, even if their means are limited, provisions have been made for the pecun- iary assistance of deserving students who are bent on making the most of themselves ; that when they have completed such a course, they are in a position to judge for themselves what line of work is best suited to their tastes and abilities.
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The graduating class of '95 numbered fourteen. The exer- cises were held in the Town Hall, Friday evening, June 28. The following was the programme :
Prayer.
Rev. M. F. Johnson.
Salutatory and Oration, Arbitration.
Frank Miller Surrey.
Essay,
The Sphere of Woman, Veretta Florence Shaw.
Recitation,
Too Late for the Train. Louisa Holmes Sampson.
Music, . Selected. Essay, The Key to Success. Lillian Dean Bump.
Oration,
The Power of Habit. Clifford Thomas Westgate.
Essay,
Mary Standish Parker.
Music,
Essay,
. Selected. The Pleasures of Memory. Lizzie Warren Wade.
Recitation,
Burdock's Music Box.
Herbert Lyman Tripp.
Apples of Discord. Oration,
Agnes Blake JJenks.
Music, Essay,
Selected. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Bertha Evelyn Bryant.
Recitation,
Mont Blanc before Sunrise. Mattie Morton Bennett,
Fin de Siecle.
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Oration, The Hard Times. Joseph Henry Edwards
Music,
Selected. Class Prophecy.
Delia Roberts Kingman.
Essay and Valedictory, The End Not Yet. Fannie Frost Macdonald.
Presentation of Diplomas.
Adeline V. Wood, Chairman of School Committee. Benediction.
Principal, -
WALTER SAMPSON.
Assistants, - -
JENNIE G. ALLEN. JENNIE BENNETT. SUSIE J. MANTLE.
CLASS OF 1895.
Mattie Morton Bennett,
Mary Standish Parker,
Bertha Evelyn Bryant,
Lillian Dean Bump, Joseph Henry Edwards,
Louisa Holmes Sampson, Veretta Florence Shaw, Frank Miller Surrey,
Agnes Blake Jenks, Herbert Lyman Tripp,
Delia Roberts Kingman, Lizzie Warren Wade,
Fannie Frost Macdonald,
Clifford Thomas Westgate.
Class motto, "Excelsior." Class color, Light Blue and Dark Green. Class flower, Forget-me-not.
Music, Bay State Orchestra.
In closing, I wish to thank the school officials for their support and interest in looking out and providing for the
53
needs of the school-a fact that has contributed largely to its success.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER SAMPSON, Principal.
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EXHIBIT C. GRADUATING EXERCISES
Of the Middleborough Elementary Schools, Friday, June 21, 1895, at 2.30 P. M., High School Assembly Room.
Programme.
Chorus-Fairies. Schools. Prayer. Rev. Richard G. Woodbridge.
Recitation-The American Flag.
Recitation-Nobility.
Piano Solo-Farewell.
Recitation-A Legend of Bregenz.
Vocal Solo-Tit for Tat.
Recitation-King's Mountain.
Chorus-A Hungry Spider.
Recitation-The Pilgrim Fathers.
Recitation-Freedom.
Harry W. Porter. Lena M. Baldwin. Edith F. Pierce. Mabel E. Perkins. Lucy P. Carter. George B. Ryder. Schools. Caro D. Washburn. Marion K. Tillson.
Vocal Duet-Whispering Hope.
L. Mabel Place and Grace W. Merrihew.
Recitation-The Brave Engineer. Rufus W. Clark.
Recitation-Guilty or not Guilty. Anne S. Cushman. Piano Duet-Selected.
Grace S. Dixon and Olive W. Sullivan.
Address. Supt. Asher J. Jacoby.
Presentation of Certificates of Graduation.
Adeline V. Wood, Chairman of School Committee. Chorus-Summer Wind. Schools. Benediction.
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CLASS OF '95.
Main Street Grammar School.
Lena M. Baldwin,
Charles E. Bœhme,
Lucy P. Carter,
Millie F. Caswell,
Harry B. Caswell,
Lizzie M. Chase,
Ocena M. Clark,
Rufus W. Clark,
Anne S. Cushman,
Grace S. Dixon,
Eugene L. Dunham,
Ralph L. Hathaway,
James G. Kelley,
Grace W. Merrihew,
James F. McClusky,
Theodore H. Miller,
Sadie M. Norris,
Edgar A. Paun,
Mabel E. Perkins,
Edith F. Pierce,
L. Mabel Place,
Stanley L. Porter,
Harry W. Porter,
Everett B. Pratt,
George B. Ryder,
Olive W. Sullivan,
Marion K. Tillson,
Percy C. Tobey,
Caro D. Washburn,
Harold R. White.
Thompsonville School.
Laura C. Deane, Grace E. Wood, Alva C. Dennett.
Rock School.
Cora Chase,
Nannie Field,
Ichabod F. Atwood.
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EXHIBIT D. TEACHERS' TRAINING CLASS.
1895.
Bennett, Mattie M.,
Bryant, Bertha E., Carleton, Alice B., Flagg, Charlotte E., Gibbs, Bessie B., Litchfield, Annie S.,
Macdonald, Fannie F., Maxim, Helen S.,
Nicholls, Ethel G.,
Roberts, Alice R., Sampson, Louisa H.,
Shaw, Veretta F ,
Dunham, Harriet E., Gibbs, Ida M.,
Perry, Frances M.,
Walley, Mary T.,
Cornell, Netta M.,
Middleborough High School. Middleborough High School. Middleborough High School. Middleborough High School. Middleborough High School. Middleborough High School. Middleborough High School. Middleborough High School. Middleborough High School. Middleborough High School. Middleborough High School. Middleborough High School. Plymouth High School. Brockton High School. Bourne High School. North Brookfield High School. Kee Mar College, Hagerstown, Md.
5
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EXHIBIT E.
REPORT OF THE TRUANT OFFICER.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
In preparing my report as Truant Officer for the past year I find a marked improvement as to truancy, but so long as some families live and raise children, just so long there will be children that will not attend school; for the parents of these families had to have the truant law enforced in their own behalf. In many cases the child is more willing to go to school than the parent is to have him attend. I am sorry to have to make the statement that the trouble is mainly with children of native-born citizens. Tardiness in the village arises from parents sending their children to school too early rather than too late, for they loiter about the streets and in the stores, and feel called upon to ride with order carts and peddle- wagons until past the school hour and are late at school. I have been obliged to look after several such cases. Complaint was made by a parent that his boy would not go to school on account of a cold schoolroom, yet that boy was on the street more than an hour before school time, when if kept at home until within a reasonable time, and then sent to school thor- oughly warmed, there would have been no. cause for com- plaint. Again, a child has an ill-turn, and a physician is called who says the child had better not attend school for a few days; then the parent thinks he had better not go again during school age. If such parents realized the importance
58
of their children attending school much trouble and expense would be avoided.
However, from a truancy of thirty in 1893, the number has been reduced to twelve, and it is the sincere wish of the writer that with the new year the parents will endeavor to have their children attend school without the help of the truant officer.
JAMES A. BURGESS, Truant Officer.
APPENDIX.
LIST OF TEACHERS, JANUARY, 1896.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Main Street, near Town Hall.
Walter Sampson, Principal, 4 High Street.
Grace Allen, 23 Pierce Street. Jennie Bennett, 23 Pierce Street. Alice W. Collins, 15 Pierce Street.
MAIN STREET GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
High School Building.
Room.
Grade.
4. John P. Arnold, Prin., IX. 91 Oak Street. 3. Annie A. Lovell, A and VIII. 12 High Street.
2. Nellie M. Bennett, B and VII. 23 Pierce Street.
1. Flora L. Nickerson, C and VI.
69 Center Street.
UNION STREET GRAMMAR AND PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Union Street, near Center.
Grade.
Room. 2. Flor. E. Thompson, Prin. , D, IV and V. 61 Pearl Street.
1. H. Gertrude Holmes, Ass't, 26 Main Street.
M. Evelyn Holloway, III. Union Street.
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SCHOOL STREET PRIMARY SCHOOL.
School Street, neur Center.
Grade.
Room.
3. Lizzie B. Lucas, Prin., II. 10 Southwick Street. 22 School Street.
Ethel G. Nichols, Ass't,
2. Edith A. Roberts, I. 8 Myrtle Street.
1. Eleanor A. Barden, I. 9 Myrtle Street.
WEST SIDE GRAMMAR AND PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Room.
Grade. 3. Eva M. Hopkins, Prin., VI-VIII.
East Main Street.
2. Lillian M. Thomas, II-V. 8 Court End Ave.
1. A. Belle Tenney, 1. 65 Oak Street.
SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.
Pleasant Street-E. Frances Dunham, North Middleboro. Plymouth Street-Charlotte E. Flagg, 27 Pearl Street.
Purchade-Lucia A. Drake, Box 174. Nemasket-Myra L. Atwood, Box 383. Soule-Carrie E. Soule, Eddyville.
Waterville-Carolyn H. Parker, 62 Pearl Street. Green-C. Augusta Thomas, 8 Court End Avenue. Fall Brook-Sarah O. Morse, Middleboro. Thomastown-Frances M. Perry, Middleboro. South Middleboro-Bessie B. Gibbs, South Middleboro. Highland-Emma N. Phinney, 24 Pearl Street. Rock-Mary E. Deane, Rock. Wappanucket-Helen S. Maxim, Rock.
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MIDDLEBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.
COURSES OF STUDY.
English Course. English-Latin Course. Classical Course.
FOURTH CLASS. (Tenth Grade.)
English. 80 Latin. 200 Latin. 200
Greek and Roman Ilis- « English.
80 English. 80
tory, 120 Greek and Roman His- Greek and Roman His-
Algebra, 200 tory. 120 tory, 120
Physiology. 80 Algebra,
200 Algebra, 200
Botany. 120
THIRD CLASS. (Eleventh Grade.)
English, 80 Latin,
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