Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1912, Part 8

Author: Middleboro (Mass.)
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: s.n.
Number of Pages: 190

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1912 > Part 8

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The Schools in the Centre, with one or two exceptions, are doing good work. One class in the School Street Building is doing exceptionally fine work.

The Suburban Schools are gradually coming into line and possibly with a few exceptions are doing the work assigned to them. The plan of work follows the same general lines as the Central Schools although more simplified.

The spirit in all the schools is excellent and the teachers show earnestness in their work; although there are some who are not fully qualified in musical Pedagogy; for such I would recommend a course of lessons with a private teacher.

The High School Chorus is doing good work and showing much interest, and some creditable results should be attained by the end of the year.

No course, no matter how well graded or thoughtfully planned can be successful without faithful work on the part of the grade teachers. The support and cooperation of the teachers has been appreciated by me and I extend my thanks to them. I also wish to express my appreciation of the hearty cooperation on the part of the school board and superintendent, without which the work could not have been started so successfully.

Respectfully submitted, H. O. WETHERELL, Supervisor of Music.

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REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MANUAL ARTS.

Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools:

Dear Sir ;- It is my pleasure to report another progressive year of work in the manual arts. The course in drawing has been changed slightly that it may be better adapted in some parts to the increased manual work and the two subjects are carried on together each complementing the other.

The color work is an improvement over that done last year, and a better knowledge on the part of the pupils is shown of constructive drawing owing to the fact, doubtless, that the constructive drawing is carried out in some concrete way.

It is only by actually working a thing out in suitable mater- ials that children can be made to realize the necessity for exactness, accuracy, neatness and skill in their work, and that without application, observation, concentration and · memory good work is never done. When the work is of a concrete nature and there is an actual, tangible result which can be seen and felt, and in which the workmanship, either good, bad or indifferent, is very evident there is no misunder- standing on the part of the child as to his capabilities and short comings, or as to what is necessary to make his work come up to the required standard.

Results are beginning to be seen in the lower grades where manual work has been taught for several years. The children seem to understand more readily and are much more skilful in the use of their hands. They are also more self-reliant in working things out by themselves.

Last year the manual work was carried through the fourth year and this fall it was introduced into all of the remaining grades. For the first six years the course is planned for boys and girls together all doing some sewing and some card- board construction and possibly a little basketry or brass work. Boys should be able to sew on their buttons, mend their clothes and darn their stockings as well as girls.

Different work is planned for the boys and girls in the three upper grades, the girls doing plain sewing and a few,

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simple decorative stitches, and the boys working with card- board, paper, and brass, until tools and benches are provided for wood work.

This seems to be a very wise way to introduce the work as the boys will do the wood work much better if they have had thorough practise in measuring and cutting exactly card board and paper.

During the first term this year the work in sewing in middle and upper grades has been a sampler of the different stitches, a pincushion, a bag or case for sewing materials. The boys have made small boxes, envelopes of stiff paper for clippings or drawings, and small cardboard boxes to replace the worn out crayon boxes used in lower grades, also note book covers and large boxes for holding manual work materials will soon be made. Just as soon as the pupils gain the necessary skill these things can be made by them much cheaper than to buy them.

The object is to make this course as practical as possible and only make such articles as are of use either for school work or at home. The following outline will give a general idea of the course as it is now planned. Some changes may be found necessary in working it out.

The aim throughout the course is skill, neatness, exactness, application, concentration, observation, following directions exactly, memory, knowledge of simple methods of work and judgment.

SEWING-2 terms. LOWER GRADES-BOYS AND GIRLS.

Materials-stiff paper or cards, canvass, silkatine, blunt needles, burlap, gingham, squared paper, thread.

Problems-stringing beads or other material, sewing cards, sampler, holder or bag, pencil case, josstick holder.

Stitches-basting, running, overcasting, stitching, cross- stitching, hemming, blanket stitch. The first two years work on paper only.

MIDDLE GRADES-BOYS AND GIRLS.

Materials-muslin, cheese cloth, crash, gingham, print.

Problems-stitches, basting, running, overcasting, over- sewing, stitching, backstitching, hemming, blanket stitch, catch stitch, cross stitch, chain stitch, French hem, darning stockings.

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Articles made-cloth sampler, sewing bag, dish towel, apron, child's or doll's kimona dress, pin dish, holder, needle book, shoe bag, rubber case, etc.

UPPER GRADES-GIRLS.

Same as above also button holes, darning cloth, French and felled seams, bias band, patching.

Articles made-kimona, flannel skirt, sleevelets, cap, corset cover, chemise, night gown, fancy apron, etc.

CONSTRUCTION. LOWER GRADES-BOYS AND GIRLS.

Materials-paper, scissors, rule, pencil, folding bristol board.

Problems-furniture for doll's house, toys, calendars, book- lets, objects for sand table, constructed stories, weaving, braiding, knotting.

MIDDLE GRADES-BOYS AND GIRLS.

Materials-Newsboard, paper, vellum, cloth, paste, scissors, square, reeds.

Problems-To cover newsboard with paper, vellum or cloth and line the back. Memorandum pad cover, whisk broom holder, scrap box, blotter pad, handkerchief case, tumbler cover, post-card holder, needle book, note book covers, candy box etc.

UPPER GRADES-BOYS.

Material-same as above.

Problems-Waste basket, note book covers, scrap book, post card album, envelopes for school drawings, boxes for crayons or supplies, bound book, mending old school books.

Brass work-trays, letter holders, candle shades, etc.

Basketry-small scrap basket, large waste basket, work basket, etc.

All last year work was left on exhibition in a room upstairs in the library and a few small teacher's meetings were held there that the material might be more readily used for illus- tration. The work in the suburban schools improves each year, and is the best this year that it has been at all. Many of the teachers are better prepared than was the case formerly. I would suggest that those who are not prepared to teach

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drawing should take a course in the elements of drawing. There are many excellent correspondence schools now which would help a teacher very much.

It is impossible to do as much in these schools as in the Centre schools owing to lack of time but in some cases the quality of the work is quite equal to that in the corresponding grades in the Centre.

I wish to thank the teachers for the cooperation and interest which they are giving in this department, also to express my appreciation to the Superintendent and School Board for their interest, appreciation, and generosity in supplying materials, which makes more and better results possible than could be with less to work with. It is hoped that by the time benches and tools are supplied the boys will be prepared to do good work in wood.

Respectfully submitted, MARY L. COOK,

Supervisor of Manual Arts.

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REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PENMANSHIP.

Mr. C. H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools:

Dear Sir :- Conservation is the great need of the present age. Everywhere in the United States we hear the demand for it. This demand is of two kinds; first, a demand for the conservation of the natural resources of the country and secondly, as strong a demand for the conservation of the human elements comprising our daily life. This same demand has entered the work-a-day field, and men and women are accom- plishing more work with less expenditure of energy than formerly. A scientific study of so simple a matter as the laying of bricks has been made with the result that men trained to eliminate lost motion can accomplish more than double the work they did before thus being trained.

Efficiency is the modern test of education. Anything which makes for efficiency has an educational value. Health, brain and muscle are the trinity which make for efficiency.

Manual training is somewhat of a new factor in education. It, more than any other, is placing hand training on a par with head training, and heart training on a par with both.

Writing is a manual rather than a mental art. It is an in- tellectual tool in that it is employed to materialize and record thought. Good writing is manual efficiency and poor writing is manual inefficiency. Good or poor writing signifies neither intellectual strength nor weakness, but manual control or manual neglect.

It is true there must be a correct mental concept of the letter forms, but this is more easily secured than the necessary manual control.

The art of writing, as it is now being taught in our schools, is not a new system, it is rather a teaching of conservation of energy and an attempt to give the pupil the greatest amount of efficiency for the smallest expenditure of muscular and nervous energy.

We are not teaching "a new way" of writing, but simply how we may use to the best advantage the tools we have furnished us by nature.

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A person may write the vertical, the medial, the back hand, Spencerian or some other system, I care not what, but if he uses the arm movement, his efficiency is increased 2 or 3 times.

This is our aim; in working to aid the pupil to acquire this, I am glad to acknowledge the cheerful assistance given me by our teachers.

Respectfully submitted, WM. A. HARTHORNE, Supervisor of Penmanship.

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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN.

Middleboro, Mass., Jan. 1, 1913.

To the School Committee of Middleboro:

In this report of my first years work as School Physician, it affords me pleasure to inform you that the general health of the pupils attending our public schools is exceedingly good. Very few cases of disease of serious nature were found. While a large number of hypertrophied tonsils exist, in comparatively few cases were such tonsils diseased. However, in each case the parents of the child were notified and advised to consult a competent physician.

Each pupil attending our schools has been subjected to a physical examination and any defect found has been recorded and the parent or guardian notified and all children contracting a contagious disease have been again examined before being permitted to reenter school.

I have endeavored by repeated examinations of children in school to prevent any serious epidemic of contagious diseases and thus eliminate if possible the necessity of closing any school. How far this has met with success it is unnecessary to advise you.

Realizing the importance of teaching the child the necessity of observing the laws of Hygiene and Sanitation, an attempt has been made to have the teachers of the various grades become familiar with this subject.

I desire to thank the Superintendent of Schools, the Prin- cipal, and teachers for their hearty cooperation and the interest they have manifested in this work new to Middleboro schools.

The results of the physical examinations are found below :-

Sub Primary.

Number of pupils examined

116

Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases

Adenoids 66

Defective teeth

Blepharitis

66 16

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Grade I

Number of pupils examined

Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases

Adenoids

Defective teeth

Deviated septum

Tuberculosis of hip joint

Grade II.

Number of pupils examined

112

Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases

Adenoids

Defective teeth

Grade III.

Number of pupils examined

Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases

Adenoids

Defective teeth

Grade IV.

Number of pupils examined

Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases

Adenoids

Defective teeth

Tuberculosis of knee joint "

Grade V.

Number of pupils examined

Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases

Adenoids

Defective teeth 16 66 66

Grade VI.

Number of pupils examined

Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases

Adenoids

Defective teeth

Enlarged glands

Otitio media

162

Grade VII.

Number of pupils examined

Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases

Adenoids

Defective teeth

Grade VIII.

Number of pupils examined

Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases

Adenoids 66

Defective teeth

High School.

Number of pupils examined 200

Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases

Adenoids 6

Anemia

SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.

Wappanucket School.

Number of pupils examined