USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1932-1933 > Part 29
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Remedial work in reading has been made an in- tegral part of Freshman English courses. Two text books are used, one more advanced than the other, but both intended to develop thoughtful reading com- prehension. Results, on the whole, are very satisfac- tory.
Each senior has been provided with an "Efficiency Book" which contains a series of thirty tests of fifty questions each bearing on fundamental processes, facts of science and history, and the use of English which every well-informed person should know. Tests are taken weekly. A comprehensive review test will be given shortly before the end of the school year which all seniors are required to pass before receiving a diploma.
Through the courtesy and assistance of the Massa- chusetts Tuberculosis League, the subject of health has been more closely correlated with courses in Civics and Biology. The League has supplied out-
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lines of teaching units which have been very helpful in presenting and stressing the all-important subject of personal and community health.
The school has purchased a reproducing radio, by means of which we hope to develop an appreciation for good music. We plan to build up a library of rec- ords which are especially designed for this purpose.
I should like to recommend that Business Organi- zation, now a full course for juniors, be made a half course, and that a half course in commercial geogra- phy be introduced, emphasizing the interdependence of nations and the necessity for goodwill and cooper- ation.
Our problems seem to be those common to most high schools. Aside from the limitations imposed upon us by a manifestly inadequate school plant, we have a large number of pupils who are unable to profit by the type of work traditionally offered in high school. We have made several curriculum ad- justments and conditions urge us to make many more, but we cannot carry through any broad re- organization of our school procedure until given the means and equipment with which to do it. If we do nothing else, we must prepare pupils for good citi- zenship and for successful, happy living in a difficult age, and in a complex society. Schoolmen, alert to the situation, are studying it and eventually will work out a type of education which will, we hope, more successfully meet the needs of our pupils.
WAYNE M. SHIPMAN,
Principal.
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REPORT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
I herewith submit my second annual report as principal of the Plymouth Junior High School.
This year the enrollment increased sufficiently to form another class and employ an extra teacher. In- stead of doing so, however, classes were increased in size and another teaching position eliminated. The budget was decreased by this arrangement, but with the heavier teacher-load less individual attention has naturally resulted. Much help is given after school, but children do not receive as much benefit from in- struction then as they would earlier in the day in a smaller-sized class.
In former years a teacher received additional sal- ary for doing part of the clerical work while the principal and teachers did the rest. This year the employment of a clerk has satisfied an urgent need and has proved an economy in that the arrangement has allowed the principal to supervise and teach.
Lunch counter patronage has increased this year and more hot lunches are sold, but, due to the in- creased cost of materials, the financial condition of this department has not improved. A cook whose wages are paid out of the sales returns is employed to prepare the lunches. The project is not a profit- making one and food is sold as nearly at cost as possible. A hearty dish may be purchased for six cents. Each day there is a varied menu consisting of soup, the hot dish, salad, a variety of sandwiches, wholesome desserts including ice-cream, and milk drinks.
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Last year a radio fund was started, the money being earned in various ways by teachers and pupils. A radio system is about to be installed-an R.C.A. centralized radio with a loud speaker in each class- room. These are necessary because there is no as- sembly hall in the building. As the fund increases a phonograph unit and a microphone outfit will be added. This address system will overcome the un- pleasant necessity of pupils standing in the corridor to listen to announcements and speakers. It does not in any way lessen the need of an assembly hall for pupil activities.
The abundance of musical talent this year has made possible the formation of three glee clubs. The orchestra is comprised of a variety of instruments and several good soloists.
The most outstanding work being done in the art classes is the making of entire marionette and puppet shows by the pupils of 8A1.
Each Monday morning a short, pupil-conducted assembly is held in the lower corridor. The programs deal with citizenship, principally, and are arranged to have as many different pupils participate during the year as possible.
Many parents visited the school during Education Week. They are urged to visit the regular day class- es and confer with teachers at any time. Such visits are always beneficial to the child.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY M. DOLAN,
Principal.
ยท
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REPORT OF HEDGE AND MOUNT PLEASANT SCHOOLS
In my report to you last year the general policies of the Hedge School were briefly outlined. Our poli- cies are basically the same, but we have endeavored to improve our method of procedure and made every effort to meet intelligently the ever-changing condi- tions. To quote Dr. Winship, the famous educator, "Every generation requires a different training from the last."
At the present time we are definitely concerned with four major problems. We must:
1. Create a desire for clean, healthy bodies and minds.
2. Make our character training more effective.
3. Educate for good use of leisure time.
4. Have the boys and girls acquire the knowledge considered necessary for their age and grade.
The first is under the leadership of the teachers of our Health Committee and includes besides regular health instruction lessons in mental hygiene, health inspection, health year books which bring together the best available ideas of all the grades, a Health Newspaper published monthly and other helpful activities. The general health of the children is good owing to the careful attention of the school physician and nurse with whom the teachers heartily cooper- ate. The underweight pupils are gaining by having two rest periods a day and mid-afternoon lunches. For a drawing project the sixth grade pupils have made a series of Mother Goose pictures to decorate
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the walls of the Rest Room. This added attractive- ness to the room will have a beneficial effect upon the mental attitude of the members of the class.
The second is directly under the management of the Citizenship Clubs. We aim to help our boys and girls find real values in life and to help them acquire the ability to systematically and persistently do work that is necessary to be done though it may be dis- tasteful. We try to develop good leaders and good followers. Taking advantage of circumstances as they occur in the daily school life the children are led to understand behavior problems, and participa- tion in school government is building up self-reliant, loyal, tolerant and more efficient citizens of tomorrow.
The third is our special feature for the year. To further the great educational move to educate for the good use of leisure time, our teacher committees- Health, Citizenship and Activities-have joined forces in order to concentrate on this important matter. They have selected the following activities, interesting to our boys and girls, for a year's work: Reading, Puppetry, Folk dancing, Dramatization, Vocal and Instrumental Music, Crafts, Nature Study, Home-Nursing, Gardening, and Outdoor Sports. Each class has chosen one of these subjects for intensive work but may do as much as desired with any of the others.
The fourth, without question, occupies the greater part of the school day and is being achieved by sys- tematic and well-organized teaching. Results in all subjects are checked and made use of in ability group- ing and improving instruction. Daily outlines are scientifically planned, concentrating on essentials.
In solving these four problems we are endeavoring to make the work purposeful, relating school activ- ities to the pupils' interests and experiences. The assembly is one of our most instructional agents. Every program is considered from the standpoint of its educative value. Illustrated lectures, musical pro-
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grams, stereopticon slides, moving pictures, original plays, demonstrations of class work and exhibits can here be presented to the school as a whole. A num- ber of people have given interesting and instructive talks. This has been very helpful in broadening the children's viewpoints and in connecting the school with the outside world. We are very grateful to them for their kindness. Units of work, physical sports, nature walks, research work, group work, books and pictures, plenty of material for construction and op- portunity for creative work are provided for the discovery and development of interests and talents. Under teacher leadership we hope to inculcate in our boys and girls the desire to progress, to become better citizens and to employ the greater part of their leisure time sensibly and to some wholesome purpose.
Having supervised at the Mount Pleasant School for so short a time I am not able to give a year's report.
The school building is adequate in size for the number of pupils, well-lighted and heated, suitably equipped for good work and the class-rooms attrac- tive. It lacks a room large enough for the whole school to assemble at one time. In modern teaching the assembly so increases the efficiency that such a room has become almost a necessity.
Every effort is being made to accelerate the progress of the school. We are having weekly faculty meetings to study for professional improvement and to discuss our own specific problems. The funda- mental subjects are being taught effectively and we intend to introduce some creative activities before the end of the year. One teacher has already organ- ized a Citizenship Club in her room.
Both schools have active Glee Clubs and Instru- mental Classes. The instruction is given for the most part before and after school hours and the interest taken is proved by the regular attendance.
In both the donations at Thanksgiving were very
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generous, and the response to the call for Red Cross Membership and to the sale of Christmas Seals was remarkable.
We appreciate the hearty cooperation of all the parents in all of our undertakings throughout the year. It is only through close relationship between home and school that the best resullts can be ac- complished.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH H. SAMPSON, Principal.
REPORT OF KNAPP SCHOOL
The work of the school for the past year has shown steady progress due to the efficient, conscientious service of the teachers and the excellent spirit and cooperation of the pupils.
Fundamentals in education have been stressed and though taught according to modern methods, no- where neglected. This is surely proven by the results of the Standard Achievement Tests, which this past year have shown us to be above the averages set for Standard.
Schools plan now that children shall work not only to learn facts but also to know what to do with those facts, not only by and by as formerly, but now. When boys and girls can help the procedure, under wise guidance, and set the stage for the different under- takings-the results in achievement in school sub- jects will naturally be more satisfactory, since they understand that much of this work has been needed to carry out their own plans and has not been ar- bitrarily imposed upon them.
Such plans not only relieve the classroom of the old type of rigid discipline, once considered so necessary, but helps the boys and girls to come to understand
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and accept responsibility for the new standards of control that help to make school life a strong in- fluence in the right kind of character education.
I believe that the pupils' attitude of our different classrooms is excellent, the spirit of cooperation and responsibility stronger than ever before, and that the pupils are developing the right practices of thinking, feeling and working.
The spirit of cooperation between the home and the school has been excellent. During Education Week an evening was arranged for the parents to meet the teachers in their classrooms and discuss the work of individual pupils. This plan is very satis- factory and does lead to a better understanding be- tween the school and home. A large number of parents came.
Our attendance for the past year has been excel- lent, due without doubt to the continued good work of the Health and Physical Departments. Our Rest Room has been continued and is I believe getting very good results.
Assemblies have been frequently held, in which the pupils plan and carry out the program. Just before the Christmas Holidays an Operetta-"The Miser's Dream" by Price was given as a part of the music work.
The School Orchestra has continued under the ef- ficient leadership of Mr. Pioppi, with much increased numbers. Interest of its members is keen and very good progress is being made.
The repairs now being made on the buildings and grounds are excellent, and will, I believe, increase the efficiency of the school. All the teachers and pupils especially appreciate the decision of the School Board to repair the Portable. This building is especially valuable for all Physical Education work.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM WHITNEY.
Principal.
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REPORT CORNISH-BURTON DISTRICT
Due to the large number of children entering the first grade at the Cornish School this past September, it became necessary to have an additional first grade in that building. This, however, has made it possible for the primary teachers to have smaller classes which is important for efficient teaching of little children. Many new families have moved into our district this past year, and this has increased the membership so that all grades in the Cornish and Burton Schools above the second have forty or more pupils enrolled.
Through a social study program given in Memorial Hall last spring, an attempt was made to show the variety of methods used in our teaching to impress geographical facts upon the minds of the children. The work showed the results accomplished through teaching the ear, eye and motor minded child.
At Thanksgiving time by means of very helpful and authentic material for which we are greatly in- debted to Mrs. George R. Briggs, we were able to give an assembly program depicting phases of life in early Plymouth. This required a careful study of the his- torical facts of the period, and much effort in order to reproduce the life of these people correctly. All of the children in grades four through six, visited the Harlow House and were given a very helpful explan- ation of the household furnishings.
By following this method of teaching social studies we feel certain we are making geography and his- history more real, of much greater interest to the chil-
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dren and the factual material acquired is more last- ing.
In our arithmetic teaching with the aid of care- fully organized diagnostic material published by educational authority we are able to find the child's difficulty in arithemetical process whether it be one of his grade or not. Our practice is to find the errors and correct them before he is allowed to do more advanced work. We are concentrating upon mastery of what has been taught rather then high attainment in quantity. This type of teaching means individual or very small teaching groups, but we are satisfied that it is a thorough and efficient method of finding and correcting children's arith- metical difficulties. Where progress is slow or re- tarded due to absence, the pupils are given extra help each day by a remedial class teacher.
There is some discussion of present day teaching of English. The changes are merely a better ap- plication of our principles of psychology. It does not mean that we do not teach much of the same subject matter which has been taught for years, but we do show the child a real need for knowing what he should say and how he should write. We make real effort to adapt the material to the ability and type of child with whom we are dealing, and try to teach that which is most needed on the basis of use- fulness.
All upper grade classes in the district have or- ganized and elected officers. Class meetings are held each Monday morning, and school matters are discussed. Through these meetings we are trying to develop higher standards of character, good citi- zenship and civic duty.
We have continued the instrumental and piano classes in the school under the direction of Mr. Pioppi and Miss Bowditch, respectively. There are about forty children taking advantage of this in- struction, and they are making marked progress.
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Home and individual instruction has been carried on by Miss Muriel Bradford. Three of the children taking this work were able to come to school this year and are making a good record in their respective grades. There are two children now being taught at home.
The Rest and Nutrition Class has had thirty-four pupils enrolled during the past year. Through reg- ular rest periods and carefully planned diet, all children have gained in weight, and in some cases shown marked improvement in general health and scholastic work. We are indebted to several local business men, organizations and many individuals who have contributed generously and made it pos- sible for us to continue this work. We acknowledge these gifts and appreciate the interest shown in this class.
It is the desire of the teachers and myself to work efficiently and for the most good to every child. I am very grateful to the parents who have helped by talking matters over with us which concern either the child or school routine.
I would like to express my gratitude to Miss Charlotte Haskins, Librarian, and the Library Staff, for the service they have rendered in supplying so much helpful school material. This cooperation is invaluable.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN M. RIESE, Principal
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REPORT OF THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL
It gives us pleasure to state, that our efforts to inspire our charges to attempt individual and cre- ative work, during the past year, have been very successful.
The training of children for independence in adult life, cannot be well done without introducing them, as early as possible, to the experience of work that is creative.
Unfortunately, our modern homes tend to make passive recipients rather than active creators.
Nothing makes a child so self-reliant as the abil- ity to do something well, though it be nothing more than sweeping floors or similar mechanical tasks. This kind of manual labor should be carried on in both home and school.
Children should be taught, no matter in how small a degree, to share in the responsibility of running the home and the school. This means that there should be hearty co-operation between teachers and parents, so that the work of the school may be car- ried over into the home.
Every creative hobby noted in a child should be encouraged so that the child may produce something indicative of self-reliance.
That even slow thinking children have special abil- ity in some line of work was demonstrated by an exhibition of posters displayed, during the Spring term, in the store windows of Buttner Company. We wish to thank this firm for this favor and for many others granted to us in the past.
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The older boys, for two previous terms, had studied ancient and modern sea-craft. This study of ships covered a period of over two thousand years. The boys, to depict the changes that take place in sea- craft at different times, made sketches and water color paintings, beautifully done. The older girls, at this same time, interested themselves in the cos- tumes worn by women since the landing of the Mayflower.
By means of colored paper, generously given to us by our many friends, beautiful posters were created to portray the changes in feminine apparel during the past three hundred years.
The dental hygienist made her monthly lessons more vividly representative by inspiring the chil- dren to create a ten reel moving picture, entitled, "All Aboard for Healthland." Each reel pictured the work accomplished in oral prophylaxis for a certain month, and was originated, sketched, colored and printed by the pupils themselves. The fin- ished product, toward the end of the school year, was exhibited at the annual Massachusetts Dental Convention held in Boston.
In addition to vocal and mechanical work in music, last year, a primary orchestra, comprising two-thirds of the school, was organized.
This instruction in rhythm, requiring so much patience and drill, showed signs of progress from the first, with the prospect of developing into something worthwhile.
The Health Work for the year was particularly gratifying. "Health Day," June 14, 1933, was a banner health day for the Individual School. From an enrolment of thirty-two pupils:
26 received Weight Tags.
11 received Teeth Tags.
15 received Posture Tags.
9 received Physically Fit Tags.
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This, we think, is a record of which we may be proud.
At the Bristol County Teachers' Convention, held in Fall River, October 27, 1933, an exhibition of our school work, consisting of hand-woven articles, a rose pattern handmade quilts, moccasins made from felt hats, artificial flowers in artistic flower pots, pottery, paintings and posters, was on display. Some very critical teachers, after inspecting our exhibit, re- marked that it was difficult to believe that such fine work could be done by special class children.
These comments were received by the teachers of the Individual School as the highest form of praise.
To the many friends who have been of help to us during the school year, we extend our appreciation and thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY L. JACKSON. Principal.
REPORT ON AMERICANIZATION
The opening of Americanization Classes last Octo- ber for the year of 1933-1934, saw a large increase in the enrollment. This was felt most especially in the classes conducted in Harris Hall, at the Plymouth Cordage Company's Plant. For several years only two classes have been held there-this year there are nine classes and a total enrollment of one hundred ninety-two men.
The State Department thinks that an enrollment of fifteen to a class is as many as can be efficiently taught by one teacher in the few hours that we have. It has been necessary to make our classes somewhat larger than this.
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Our teachers are well trained, competent and thor- oughly interested, so very creditable work is being done. Those who were not certified for this work have become so by attending classes giving special training. It is a requirement of the State Depart- ment that all teachers engaged in this work be cer- tified, as a result of special training in courses con- ducted by the Department.
The classes in Harris Hall meet as soon as the men get out of work in the afternoon on Mondays, Tues- days, and Thursdays. They are divided into groups according to their understanding of and ability to speak, read and write our language. We have in our classes the illiterate in his own language, the per- son who has had a grammar school education, and some who have been still more advanced in their own language and country.
Primarily the work in the Beginners' Classes is di- rected toward the spoken word. Reading simple English with adult interest in the content is at- tempted as soon as possible. Time is soon given to the writing of English.
In the Intermediate Classes these types of work are continued but with a wider range of subject matter. Writing from dictation, expression of thought through letters and short written themes. Some his- tory and government are also taught and interest in current events developed.
The Citizenship Classes follow the Course outlined by the State and approved by the Federal Depart- ment. Some of the aims are:
1. To show the functioning of our government.
2. To teach facts of history and government which have significance in their bearing on good Ameri- can citizenship.
3. To trace the growth of American Institutions.
4. To stress right civic conduct.
5. To teach American ideas, ideals, principles of gov- ment, problems, and abiding beliefs.
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Of our nine classes in Harris Hall all but one grade as Beginners. This one is a Citizenship Class, com- posed of men who are studying so that they may bet- ter understand the history and government of our country. These men are all desirous of that prized goal-American Citizenship.
At the Cornish School Building there is an enroll- ment of seventy-two. A Citizenship Class, Advanced Class, and Beginners' Class.
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