USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1873 > Part 4
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most difficult pieces were selected at random, and read with a com- mendable attention to enunciation, articulation, emphasis, and appreciation of the ideas and spirit of their authors. Arithmetic,. grammar, and geography classes were good. All but two examples in arithmetic given out by the committee were performed and ex- plained correctly.
CENTRAL STREET GRAMMAR. Mr. L. H. Cook, principal ; Miss Alice R. Rogers, assistant. The ground gone over in this school has been limited. The teachers have aimed at thoroughness and a mastery of principles. In this they have been partially successful. The order and deportment of the school have been unexceptionable. We cannot explain, except on the ground of a lack of rivalry and emulation, the striking difference in scholarship of members of the same classes, some answering fluently and correctly, others appar- ently ignorant of the topics they had gone over. The drill in arith- metic has been good. Classes in other studies did not appear to advantage. The assistant's classes have all improved, and mention should be made of the first division in grammar and first class of the second division in geography. The neatness and attractiveness of the school-room is worthy of notice.
HIGH SCHOOLS.
NORTH HIGH SCHOOL has been under the same instruction as dur- ing the previous year, - Mr. George W. Shaw, principal, and Miss Sarah Lewisson, assistant. The attendance and order have been satisfactory. Scholars have seemed to desire to please and obey their teachers. The class in natural philosophy recited fairly at the examination. The questions asked, however, were simple and ele- mentary. The class in algebra was found to be too large to be advantageous, and was divided early in the year. The first division recited remarkably well. The explanation of principles was ready and thorough. The class in mental philosophy answered questions promptly and correctly, and displayed considerable originality of thought. The recitation in rhetoric was interesting. Selections from various authors, illustrating peculiarities of style and committed to memory, were given. The geology class appeared well. No questions were missed. The class in history are entitled to much credit. The class in Virgil have been drilled closely in analytic and grammatical principles. The year, in short, has been a successful one. The teachers have been in earnest, and have insisted on proper
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attention to every department of study. The school-rooms are entirely inadequate to accommodate, and better facilities are impera- tively needed.
SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL, continued under the instruction of Mr. F. B. Gamwell. There was a striking contrast between the morning and afternoon examinations. The former were very unsatisfactory. The algebra class failed, and the class in natural philosophy was little better. About one fourth of the class in history failed, and the class in geometry was by no means perfect. But the classes in botany, history, trigonometry, geology, and mental philosophy, in the after- noon, recited brilliantly, showing a grasp of thought and thorough- ness of work. Both in the oral and written examination, a compre- hensive knowledge of these branches seemed to have been attained. Mr. Gamwell, after a number of years of faithful service as principal of this school, has resigned to accept an appointment in a distant State. We trust that his services may be valued as highly, and his success be as decided as here. Both of our High Schools closed the year with rhetorical exhibitions ; the North School in the afternoon, and the South School in the evening of examination day. The exer- cises were varied with music and dialogues, and large numbers of friends of the schools were present. The diplomas were presented at those times, with well-chosen remarks, by John W. Loud, Esq., Chairman of the School Committee, at the North, and Dr. C. C. Tower, at the South School.
CHAS. Q. TIRRELL,
For the Sub-Committee.
PURE INTERMEDIATE.
ATHENS. - This school has been taught by Miss Abbie L. Loud. We are happy to say there has been a decided improvement in the government and order of the school. The reading exercises were quite good, the spelling fair, and the other recitations at about the average standard.
PERKINS. - Miss A. M. Richards has taught this school for more than two years. The committee were pleased with the appearance of the teacher ; yet, through the fault of some one or more par- ties, there was a want of interest in the school, and consequently of success. The irregularity of attendance, and the want of correctness
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in recitations generally, indicated a failure somewhere, either on the part of the committee in awakening an interest, or the parents in realizing their responsibility, or the teacher in meeting the exigency of the case.
MIDDLE STREET. - Taught by Miss C. W. Clay. The committee, in their last report of this school, say : "We are happy to report the school as being now in a prosperous condition. The classes are well drilled, the recitations are good, and the order is excellent." We need add, only, the progress has been from good to better.
PLEASANT STREET. - Taught by Miss A. A. Burrill. This has been her second term in this school, and in considering its condition, there are some peculiar facts to be taken into consideration. But two of the pupils attending during the term are of American parentage. In the last report, the committee had occasion to say : " The appearance of this school is very much marred by the conduct of a few of the larger boys, who devote their attention more to mischief than to study." We are happy to be able to say that one of these boys has greatly improved in his conduct. The school was well classified ; gave evidence of improvement in order and neatness. Good progress has been made in the studies generally. The teacher's task has been a laborious one. The school may be considered in a prosperous con- dition.
MAIN STREET. - Taught by Miss H. C. Torrey. The present teacher, having so recently succeeded a most able and acceptable teacher in this school, was placed in a most difficult position, in some respects. The classes were too numerous. The order was good. Fair advance has been made, but there was not that accuracy in the recitations that should be required.
UPPER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
MOUNT PLEASANT. - Taught by Miss L. M. Crane. The appear- ance of this school was in all respects fair. While in some of the recitations there was a marked deficiency, others excelled. Could the teacher exhibit a little more decision and energy, with her pleasant, lady-like manners, she would excel as a teacher. There has been too irregular attendance on the part of the scholars.
HIGH STREET. - Taught by Miss M. W. Seymour. It has been well for this school that the same teacher who in the past has given
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so good satisfaction, has been employed. The general appearance of the school was commendable ; the order very good. The attendance has been affected by some cases of the small-pox which occurred in this vicinity. The accuracy of the recitations showed the faithfulness of the teacher.
CENTRAL STREET. - Taught by Miss C. J. Reed. Miss Reed took charge of the school at the beginning of the year. She has been assisted the past term by Miss A. R. Rogers, who formerly had full charge. The order of the school was all that could be expected. The general appearance better than the average. The recitations were very correct, thoughi somewhat wanting in promptness. The school excelled in reading and geography.
LOWER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
MOUNT PLEASANT. - Taught by Miss F. F. Lowe. This teacher took charge of the school last October. The order was excellent ; the recitations good. The teacher has drilled the pupils in enumer- ating and writing numbers with marked success. The elements of drawing have been taught, as a kind of recreation to relieve the monotony of the school ; also, for the same purpose, a few of the simpler gymnastics have been introduced. The appearance of the school gave your committee great satisfaction.
HIGH STREET. - Taught by Miss S. R. Healy. At the beginning of this term, the present teacher was advanced to this position from a . Primary School. The discipline and order of the school is very good. With a few exceptions, the recitations showed that the scholars have made good progress.
CENTRAL STREET. -- Taught by Mrs. Morrill. This school has been taught by the same teacher more than twelve years. It is worthy of note, that, though neither teacher nor scholars knew the time when the examination would be made, the whole number of pupils (fifty-five) were found present ; and, what was better still, her register showed that, for the fourteen antecedent school days, not one pupil had been absent, and only two tardy. As these facts would indicate, we found the school in a very prosperous condition. Yet, at the time of the examination, we felt bound, as critics, to magnify our office, and suggested to the teacher, as we might have done in some other instances, that it would be better not to allow the scholars to lean so much upon the teacher in solving their problems and in reciting gen-
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erally, and so secure, if possible, more self-reliance and promptness on the part of the pupils.
MIXED PRIMARY AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
UNION STREET. - Taught by Miss E. J. White. Miss White took charge of the school near the close of the preceding term. At the commencement of the term, the school was in a somewhat demoral- ized condition ; but, at the time of the examination, the order was good, and great improvement had been made. The general recita- tions were fair; reading somewhat deficient. The school we found in a position where more progress might be expected in the future.
POND STREET. - Taught by Miss Almy C. Plummer. This school was taught by the same teacher the previous year ; and the report of that year thus closes : "Your committee take pleasure in reporting the condition of the school as in every way highly prosperous." The present condition of the school is in keeping with the promise then given. The attendance has been very regular, manifesting the inter- est taken by both parents and pupils. Every scholar belonging to the school (thirty-eight) was present. There were twenty-one classes, - too many for justice to the teacher or pupils. If there be anything to criticise in the school, it is, that too much ground was gone over, in order to advance the school. We would recommend an effort to secure more accuracy in recitations by more frequent reviews.
RANDOLPH STREET. - Taught by Miss A. C. Orcutt. At the exam- ination there were present twenty-three pupils, and there were twenty- one classes in the school. There was a want of distinctness in the reading, and of accuracy in some of the recitations. There were two pupils that excelled in grammar. Much might be said in commenda- tion ; yet we wish to see more enthusiasm in the school.
S. L. ROCKWOOD, For Sub-Committee.
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
This grade of our schools throughout the town, with hardly an ex- ception, has made a satisfactory amount of progress during the past year.
The methods of instruction adopted by many of the teachers confine the pupils too closely to the books ; they seem to feel satisfied that they have performed their whole duty when their pupils can repeat the lesson, without investigating whether they comprehend the meaning
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of the language, or understand the principles intended to be exem- plified. A competent instructor is not only master of the book he teaches, but of the science of which the book treats. There is even now a good amount of oral and object teaching practised in our schools. There is room for much more, and it is to be hoped that this will come in due time. Whatever breaks away from a too formal adherence to the printed page, and accustoms the children to depend more upon their power of individual attention, is, we believe, action in the right direction.
ATHENS PRIMARY. - Taught by Miss Hattie J. Farren. During the past year has made an excellent amount of progress. The school is rather large ; whole number, sixty-eight pupils ; present at the exam- ination, sixty-two. The recitations showed conclusively that the teacher had labored faithfully and earnestly.
HIGH STREET PRIMARY. - Miss Anna Nute, teacher. Had charge of the school since January. Was under the care of Miss Lizzie R. Healey from August to January. The appearance of the school at the several visits of the committee and at the examination showed that the teachers had secured excellent order and prompt recitations. Some gymnastic exercises were finely performed by the pupils.
GRANT STREET PRIMARY. - Under Miss Carrie Farren. This school made a decided improvement from last year, its appearance at the various visits of the committee, and at the examination was very gratifying. The order was generally good, and the teacher mani- fested much energy and zeal in the discharge of her duties.
PLEASANT STREET PRIMARY. - This school has been during the year under the charge of Miss Annie H. Vining, it being her first experi- ence in teaching. She entered upon her work with a determination to succeed. The appearance of the school at the visits of the committee was generally very satisfactory. The exercises at the examination were very creditable.
MIDDLE STREET PRIMARY. - Taught by Miss Helena Spilsted. Has been well kept during the year; the discipline firm and mild. The appearance of the school and the progress made by the pupils indi- cate that the teacher has been faithful and earnest in her labors.
WASHINGTON STREET PRIMARY. - This school has been under the instruction of Miss Carrie L. Spilsted, and under her quiet and efficient management has attained a good degree of excellence. The
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. order of the school has been very good, and the progress satisfactory to the committee.
PRATT PRIMARY. - Taught by Miss A. L. White, its teacher for several years past. The grade of this school is somewhat higher than most of the other primaries, requiring a larger number of classes, and consequently diminishing the amount of time to be devoted to each class. The teacher has labored faithfully and with good results.
CENTRAL STREET PRIMARY. - Under Miss Lizzie L. Whitman. This school numbers sixty-six pupils ; sixty-three were present at the examination. The appearance of this school shows that the teacher fully sustains her reputation as an excellent teacher. The committee were much pleased with the appearance of the school.
MAIN STREET PRIMARY. - Under the charge of Mrs. J. Ellen French. One of the largest primaries in town. Numbers seventy pupils. The condition of the school at the several visits of the com- mittee was not quite satisfactory. Order, which is the foundation of every school excellence, was very defective. At the examination, most of the recitations were promptly rendered.
MOUNT PLEASANT PRIMARY .- Taught by Miss Lizzie M. Foye. This school stands in the front rank of our primaries. The methods of instruction and the amount of knowledge which the teacher imparts to her little pupils show that she fully comprehends her work, and is the right teacher in the right place. This school numbers seventy- seven scholars, and is the largest in town.
MOUNT PLEASANT PRIMARY. - Under the care of Miss Flora A. Col- son. This school ranks with our best primaries. The teacher manifests a lively interest in her school, and has a happy faculty to impart instruction to her pupils. The order was excellent, and the examination showed excellent proficiency in the recitations.
PERKINS PRIMARY. - Taught by Miss A. A. Smith. The appear- ance of this school and its condition through the year past have been satisfactory to your committee. Its progress has been equal to the other schools of this grade. The teacher has labored diligently, and good success has attended her efforts.
GEO. W. FAY,
For Sub-Committee.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF WEYMOUTH :
Gentlemen, -In accordance with your requirements, I submit the following report.
Since your superintendent did not enter upon his duties till the beginning of the last term, this report will, of course, only have refer- ence to the schools for the term ending December 19th.
During this time but few changes have been made in any respect. One new primary school has been provisionally established. There have been two promotions among the teachers, and two new teachers have been employed.
The same text-books are used as heretofore. A course of study has been made out which will, in time, be followed as closely as pos- sible in all the schools. The teachers have, in the main, been faithful and efficient. With few exceptions, the order has been good, and the instruction thorough and systematic.
The schools, generally, are in a good condition. It will not, per- haps, be necessary to speak of them in detail. While the schools have done a good work in the past, more attention should be given to a strict system of grading, by which their efficiency can undoubtedly be greatly increased. This can be done without difficulty in most of the schools, especially in the larger villages. Whenever new school buildings are constructed in the future, they should be built so as to bring as many pupils as possible together in one building, so that the grading can be easily made. Instead of promoting pupils from the primary to the intermediate, and from the intermediate to the gram- mar, in order to relieve the lower grades and equalize the numbers, the pupil's promotion ought to depend upon advancement in studies, ascertained by examination, and by the pupil's standing in his classes,
Although the lower grades may, for a time, be crowded, still the number of pupils of each grade maintains about the same proportion from year to year.
Wherever the schools of a particular grade are habitually crowded, it indicates a need of more schools of that grade. At Weymouth Landing and at East Weymouth the Intermediate and Primary Schools can be so arranged as to have a single class in each room. By this arrangement, the teacher's time can obviously be much more econom- ically and profitably spent than at present, where the attention is divided among different classes.
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The Washington Street and Pratt Primaries should, in some way, be brought together, so that one Intermediate and one Primary can be formed from them.
At present, the Pratt Grammar School labors under the disadvan- tage of having so many different classes, that the teacher can give but very little attention to each, and has no time for the explanations and illustrations which are indispensable in a school of this grade. Some of the scholars would have a longer distance to travel, but this is of little account¿ compared with the advantages to all the pupils that would be derived from their being graded. A Primary School has been established in the Pond Street School by drawing several schol- ars from the Central Street schools, and then dividing the whole number of pupils into two grades. If the school is to be permanently established, more seats should be provided in the lower room, so that the two can be better graded. Some action should be taken to see that the laws in regard to truancy and absenteeism are enforced. Some of the schools have been much disturbed and their usefulness impaired by irregular attendance. Truant officers should be appointed in each of the villages to enforce the attendance of truants.
There are nearly three hundred children between the ages of five and fifteen who have not attended school during the past term. Drawing has been taught in a few of our schools during the past term. It would be well to introduce it, as one of the regular studies, into all our schools. While it would be of great advantage to those who will, in the future, be engaged in pursuits in which it will be used, it is also a great assistance in training the eye and hand of the pupil.
I would also recommend the introduction of vocal music into the schools, and the employment of a teacher to give instruction for the whole or a part of the year. Several of the schools have musical instruments, and have singing in their exercises, but there is ro sys- tematic drill, and only a comparatively small part of the pupils join in the exercise. Nearly all can be taught to sing, as has been proved in other places where it has been made one of the studies to be pur- sued. The advantages that would result from regular instruction in this branch are apparent to all. Several of the cities and large towns in the State have introduced it as one of the things to be taught in the public schools. The following is the course of study prepared by the committee appointed for that purpose.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR G. LEWIS, Superintendent of Schools.
WEYMOUTH, Jan. 1, 1874.
COURSE OF STUDY.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
Divided into three classes, each occupying one year.
THIRD CLASS.
Reading. - Sanders' Primer and First Reader, to page 35.
Arithmetic. - Pupils to be taught to count to one hundred; to count by objects, and by twos, fives, and tens.
Slate Exercises. - Printing capital and small letters ; writing the Arabic characters.
SECOND CLASS.
Reading. - Sanders' First Book completed, and Second Book to page 70 ; learn marks of punctuation.
Spelling. - Spell the words in the columns in the reader; Sanders Primary Speller, to page 35.
Arithmetic. - Through multiplication tables in Walton's Primary Arithmetic ; Roman numerals to C.
Slate Exercises. - Writing small and capital letters ; numbers in Arabic and Roman notation to one hundred.
FIRST CLASS.
Reading. - Finish Sanders' Second, and the Third to page 48.
Spelling. - Spell and define words in the columns in the Reader ; finish Sanders' Primary Speller.
Arithmetic. - Walton's Primary finished ; addition and subtraction of numbers on the slate ; multiplication and division, with a single figure for multiplier and divisor.
Geography. - Guyot's Primary, to page 30.
late Exercises. - Writing words and short sentences.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
Divided into three classes, each occupying one year. THIRD CLASS. Reading. - Sanders' Third, to page 155.
Spelling. - Spell and define words in the columns in the reader, and Sanders' Speller to page 33.
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Writing Books. - Numbers one and two.
Arithmetic. - Walton's Intellectual, to page 43 ; oral instruction in notation and numeration.
Geography. - Guyot's Primary to South America.
SECOND CLASS.
Reading. - Sanders' Third finished.
Spelling. - Spell and define words in the columns in the reader, and Sanders' Speller to page 46.
Writing Books. - Numbers two and three.
Arithmetic. - Walton's Intellectual, to page 74; Walton's Written, to page 56.
Geography. - Guyot's Primary, finished and reviewed.
FIRST CLASS.
Reading. - Sanders' Fourth, to page 150.
Spelling. - Spell and define the words in the columns in the reader ; Sanders' Speller, to page 63.
Writing Books. - Numbers three and four.
Arithmetic. - Walton's Intellectual, to page 111; Walton's Writ- ten, to page 98.
Geography. - Guyot's Intermediate, to page 31.
Grammar. - Greene's Introduction to Syntax.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
Divided into three classes, each occupying one year.
THIRD CLASS.
Reading. - Sanders' Fourth, to page 276.
Spelling. - Sanders' Speller, to page 88.
Writing Books. - Numbers four and five.
Arithmetic. - Walton's Intellectual, finished ; Walton's Written, to page 171.
Geography. - Guyot's Intermediate, to page 64.
Grammar. - Greene's Introduction, finished.
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SECOND CLASS.
Reading. - Sanders' Fourth, finished.
Spelling. - Sanders' Speller, to page 129.
Writing Books. - Numbers five and six.
Arithmetic. - Walton's Written, to page 246.
Geography. - Guyot's Intermediate, finished.
History. - Anderson's History of the United States to the Revolu- tion.
Grammar. - Greene's Grammar, to syntax ; analyzing and parsing through the year.
FIRST CLASS.
Reading. - Sanders' Fourth, reviewed.
Spelling. - Sanders' Speller, finished.
Writing Books. - Numbers six and seven.
Arithmetic. - Walton's Written, to page 283, and reviewed from the beginning.
History. - Anderson's History of the United States, finished and reviewed.
Grammar. - Greene's Grammar, finished and reviewed ; analyzing and parsing through the year.
Map drawing is to be taught in connection with geography. Com- positions and declamations during the course.
It is expected and required of the teachers, especially in the Pri- .. mary and Intermediate Schools, that there shall be constant oral instruction given in connection with the different studies in the course.
COURSE OF STUDY FOR THE WEYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOLS.
FOURTH CLASS.
First Term. - Algebra, English Language, Arithmetic. Latin. Second Term. - Algebra, English Language, Physiology. Latin.
THIRD CLASS.
First Term. - Book Keeping, Natural Philosophy, Civil Govern- ment. Latin, Greek.
Second Term. - Geometry, Natural Philosophy, Ancient History. Latin, Greek.
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