Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1853-82, Part 6

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Publication date: 1853
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Number of Pages: 1072

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condition. Higher wages are demanded by teachers now, than formerly, and the prices of board and fuel have advanced fully one-third within the last few years. In 1842, the average wages of male teachers per month, paid by the town, including board, was $27,40 ; exclusive of board, $20,40 ; of female teach- ers, $11,02 per month, or $5,79, exclusive of board. Thirty dollars per month, exclusive of board, is now paid by the town for male teachers, and $9,00 for female. This, it will be seen, is quite an advance on former rates, though it is questionable whether the services of such teachers as we need, can be obtained for less.

In each of the three larger districts, two schools have been kept both summer and winter. The num- ber of scholars attending these schools at the present time, would seem to make such an arrangement ne- cessary ; and while a small additional outlay is incur- red for teachers, it affords the advanced scholars increased facilities for pursuing their studies with suc- cess.

DESCRIPTION OF SCHOOLS.

The general character of the schools the past year has been such as to leave little room for fault-finding by the committee. Of their progress and general management, with but few exceptions, we can speak in terms of high commendation. Most of them have been placed in charge of competent and efficient in- structors, who have labored faithfully for their im- provement, and are deserving of our warmest praise. One or two partial failures occurred in the summer schools, through the youthfulness and inexperience of the teachers. Many who would make excellent teach-

ers, by devoting a few years to study as a special preparation for teaching, fail for want of experience and mental discipline. The attention of young per- sons among us, intending soon to become teachers, (and we have undoubtedly good material for such,) is drawn to the necessity of thorough preparation. No- thing will be lost by being fully prepared ; you will sooner attain eminence in your profession by delay, than by entering upon the work imperfectly qualified.

The winter schools, with one or two exceptions, were all we had reason to expect ; while some of them surpassed expectation, and exhibited unusual profi- ciency in their studies. Our intercourse with teach- ers and scholars, has been mutually pleasant and prof- itable ; while we have endeavored to impress upon the minds of the latter, a sense of the advantages they en- joy, and the importance of improving them to their utmost extent.

Centre School.

Prudential Committee, DANIEL JONES.

Summer Term .- The higher department of this school was taught by Miss Caroline E. Hosmer, of Concord. Miss H. proved herself to be a capable and efficient teacher. The reading, from the lowest class to the highest, was remarkably good, showing a very decided improvement, under the instruction of this teacher. We consider this an important branch of school learning, and one which should receive in- creased attention from teachers. It requires much training and instruction, to make even a good reader. The exercises in Geography, Grammar and Arithme- tic, were creditable. The order was unexceptionable, and the general appearance of the school satisfactory. Length of school, 14 weeks.

The Primary Department was placed in charge of Miss Mary Jane Harris, of this town. Miss H. man- aged her little company very successfully, evincing much skill and tact in government, as well as in her method of teaching. The order was as perfect as could be desired ; and, though a large portion of the school belonged to the class of abecedarians, much progress was made by all. The promptness with which some of the smaller classes recited in concert the names and capitals of the differ- ent States of the Union, was truly admirable, when we consider that most of them were under eight years of age. We are glad to know that this teacher's ef- forts were appreciated by the district, and gave general satisfaction. Length of school, 10 weeks.

Winter Term .- The winter term of this school was taught by Mr. Mark Davis, of Townsend, Mass. A member of the senior class in Dartmouth College, an excellent scholar, and possessed of more than ordinary mental and physical endowments, he is capable, under the guidance of sound moral principles, of at- taining eminence in almost any profession. Mr. D. is a thorough disciplinarian, and every scholar, whether large or small, was required to conform to the rules and regulations of the school. Whispering was strict- ly prohibited, and good order at all times maintained. Corporal punishment was several times resorted to, yet in few cases perhaps in which it was wholly unde- served. Some complaint was made of the seve. ity of this teacher, but whether reasonably or not, we will not under ake to decide. While we were pleased with many features in his method of gove:ning, it is our candid opinion, that had he had less recourse to

the ferule, as a means of enforcing obedience, and governed mainly by moral influences, he would have been more successful in securing the affections of his scholars and increasing the efficiency of his school. Let us have order at any rate, but we greatly prefer that form of government, which is maintained chiefly (not exclusively) by moral influences, rather than that which proceeds from direful imaginings of impending punishment of a corporal nature. And when a teacher is compelled to resort to the latter, it should be dis- tinctly seen and understood by the school, that it is a painful necessity, rather than a particular delight, on the part of the teacher. Good progress was made in all the studies pursued, and a promptness and accuracy exhibited in their recitations, which made it apparent that the scholars possessed a' tho- rough knowledge of what they had been over. Mr. D. was highly successful in infusing life and energy into his school, while his aptness at illus- tration and explanation secured the attention of his scholars, and gave increased interest to the exercises of the school-room. On the whole, we think the Centre School has seldom appeared in better condi- tion than at the close of the winter term. Length of school, 11 weeks.

The PRIMARY DEPARTMENT Was taught by Miss Mar- tha A. Keyes, of this town, with most gratifying suc- cess. Miss Keyes is one of our best teachers. Firm and dignified, yet gentle and persuasive in her manner of governing, we need not say that she secured the obedience and respect of her scholars, as well as the admiration of parents and friends. Though the school was large, numbering nearly fifty scholars, perfect or-

der reigned, and everything about the school moved with the regularity of clock work. The examination was a pleasant affair, and though quite a number of the best scholars were absent, by reason of sickness, the exercises of those present reflected much honor on themselves and their teacher. We deem it simple justice to Miss Keyes to say, that this school was never, to our knowledge, in a more flourishing condition than under her instruction. We hope she may con- tinue to labor in our public schools for an indefinite period ; at least, till called to relinquish the employ- ment of teaching, from considerations which must ever claim attention from our female friends. Length of school, 11 weeks.

West School.

Prudential Committee, ADELBERT MEAD.

Summer Term .- The higher department of this school was placed under the management of Miss Martha C. Harris, a resident of this town, and favor- ably known as an accurate and thorough scholar. She entered the school, determined to devote herself to its interests and advancement. The order sus- tained in this school was excellent, and good im- provement was made in the studies pursued. Though the teacher labored under some disadvantages, the appearance at the final examination was on the whole satisfactory. Length of school, 14 weeks.

Primary Department.

The primary schools of this district, both summer and winter, were under the care of Miss B. A. Mead. As a teacher, Miss Mead sustained herself well in her arduous and perplexing duties. Patient and devoted,

she dedicated her whole time to the advancement of her school ; and while much beloved by pupils and parents, was very laborious and faithful. The condi- tion of the school under her instruction, has been uni- formly satisfactory. Length of school-summer, 14 weeks ; winter, 12 weeks.

Winter Term .- The winter term of the higher de- partment of this school was committed to the manage- ment and instruction of Mr. John C. Hale, likewise a student of Dartmouth College, and an excellent and devoted teacher. From its commencement to its close, both teacher and scholars seemed deeply inter- ested in their work ; and the result was, one of the best schools we have had in the west district, if not in the town, for many years. This section of the town abounds in the best possible material for a first rate school, and Mr. H. evidently made great exertions to improve his advantages in this respect to their utmost extent. Thoroughness was one of the leading charac- teristics of his teaching ; and while nothing was passed over without being properly understood, good pro- gress was made in all the branches taught. At the examination, all the classes appeared well, many of them exhibiting unusual proficiency in their studies, as well as much promptness and accuracy in their re- citations. As an evidence of the interest felt in this school, by parents and others, we may be permitted to state, that the examination was attended by nearly one hundred spectators, many of them from distant parts of the town. While the appearance and progress of the school was entirely satisfactory to the committee, all seemed gratified with the many evidences of profi- ciency in the scholars, and of faithfulness and diligence

on the part of the teacher. The excellent singing, by the scholars belonging to the school, added much to the enjoyment of the occasion, and was a pleasing feature in the school. Nearly $20 were raised by subscription in the district, to prolong the school, thus affording gratifying proof that the labors of this teach- er were appreciated, and lengthening out the school two weeks or more. We trust Mr. Hale's services may be secured another season. Length of school, 13 weeks.

South School.

Prudential Committee, N. H. WHEELER.

Summer Term .- The summer term of this school, as well as the primary department of the winter term, was taught by Miss Tryphena Clark, of Concord, with grat- ifying success. Capable and efficient, she fully sustain- ed the reputation she acquired last year, as a devoted and successful teacher. Mild, yet firm, in government, the order in her school was excellent, while much im- provement was manifested during the whole term. Without any attempt at display, the instruction was thorough and systematic.

What we have said respecting this school, is equally applicable to the primary department of the winter school. Miss C. has now taught in this district four consecutive terms ; and while she has enjoyed, in a high degree, the confidence of parents, her labors have been entirely satisfactory to the committee. Length of school-summer, 16 weeks; winter 11 weeks.

The PRIMARY DEPARTMENT Of this school, during its summer term, was under the care of Miss Sarah A. Shattuck, of this town, who managed her little charge

very skillfully, imparting much knowledge to little minds, and teaching " the young idea how to shoot," with admirable success.

Winter Term .- The winter term of the higher de- partment of the South School was commenced, and continued seven weeks, by Mr. John B. Goodrich. A student of Dartmouth College, amply qualified so far as regards his literary attainments, Mr. G. came to us well recommended as a teacher ; and from per- sonal examination, the committee indulged the most flattering hopes that the South School would receive a new impetus under his management and instruction. In this, we greatly regret to say, we were disappoint- ed. At our first visit to the school, and indeed every subsequent visit, a lack of order was plainly apparent. This we distinctly intimated to the teacher, both in conversation with him, and in our remarks to the scholars. Hoping the school might improve in this respect, Mr. G. was continued in charge till it be- came certain that he was not the man to govern the South School. With extreme reluctance, and only after a firm conviction that the interests of the school demanded it, he was dismissed, and Mr. Oliver Weth- erbee, of Boxborough, was employed to teach during the remainder of the term. Mr. W. is well known as an able and experienced teacher, and during the short time the school enjoyed his instructions, good progress was made. The scholars were obedient and respect- ful to their teacher, and no difficulty was experienced in preserving order. Mr. W. took much pains to in- terest and instruct his scholars, during the few weeks he was with them, especially in reading, spelling, and mental arithmetic, in which many of them were far

from being experts. We can only regret that suf- ficient time was not allowed Mr. W., more fully to develop the capacity of the school for improvement, and to do justice to his own ability as a teacher. Length of school, 10 weeks.

With regard to the conduct of some of the boys in this school, while under Mr. Goodrich, we cannot speak in too strong terms of disapprobation. While there might be some apology for idleness and want of inter- est in study, under certain circumstances, there can be none whatever for defacing the walls and benches of the school-room.

North School.

Prudential Committee, AMOS HANDLEY.

Summer Term .- This school was fortunate in secur- ing the services of an able and experienced teacher, in the person of Miss Lucy Barnard, of this town, and fully maintained the high reputation it has sustained in former years, as one of uncommon excellence. The progress made in all the branches taught was highly satisfactory. The reading was remarkably good in all the classes, and the same may be said of the exercises in Geography, Grammar and Arithmetic. The writ- ing books,-and nearly all wrote,-were kept with unusual neatness, and showed much improvement in the art chirographic. Fowle's series of Outline Maps, purchased by subscription in the district, were intro- duced with good effect during the term. Though in- ferior to Pelton's series, they are much less expensive, and something of the kind should be found in all our schools. Any thing that can be taught through the eye, is much more readily comprehended by children,

and indelibly fixed in their minds by means of globes, maps, charts, and diagrams on the black-board, than by any verbal description. Much praise is due Miss B. for her devotion to the interests of her charge, and for the faithfulness with which she discharged her du- ties as teacher. Length of school, 16 weeks.

Winter Term .- The winter term of this school was under the instruction of Mr. Luther Conant, Jr. Mr. Conant is too well and favorably known among us, as an able and experienced teacher, to need any com- mendation from us. Suffice it to say, that he is one of our best teachers, and was never more successful than during the past winter. Deeply interested in his school, he spared no efforts to secure its advancement ; and as might have been anticipated, rapid progress was made. The discipline of the school was remark- ably good, and the general deportment of the scholars highly exemplary. At the examination, all the classes appeared well. The reading of the first class, in par- ticular, was excellent-the clearness and distinctness of the articulation, and the nice discrimination in re- gard to emphatic words, being such as to convey to the hearer not only the sound, but the sense of what was read. The first class in Algebra, likewise, de- serve especial praise, having not only gone through, but thoroughly mastered Davies' Elements, and ob- tained a very respectable acquaintance with this branch of mathematics. The examination, which was well attended by parents and others, was marked by unusual promptness and accuracy in the recitations, affording gratifying evidence of diligence on the part of both teacher and scholars.

Though small, this is one of our best schools, and

the proficiency of the scholars, as a whole, equal to any thing we have ever witnessed in our district schools. We are pleased to see so much interest manifested by the parents of this district in their schools-undoubtedly a main element in their pros- perity. Length of school, 15 weeks.

East School.

Prudential Committee, WILLIAM WHEELER.

Summer Term .- This school commenced April 9th, under the judicious management and instruction of Miss Celeste J. Robbins, an inhabitant of the town, and an excellent and devoted teacher. The experi- ence of last summer was quite sufficient to recommend the policy of commencing the school so early in the season, as to allow it to close before the berries should have time to mature, thus avoiding the disastrous con- sequences of prolonging it to a later period. At our first visit to the school, it appeared remarkably well, while it seemed to be the determination of the teacher, that nothing should be wanting on her part to make this a good school. We are happy to say that she was very successful in awakening an interest in her school, and that good progress was made by all. Its appearance, at its close, afforded much satisfaction to those present, and was creditable to both scholars and teacher. Length of school, 18 weeks.

Winter Term .- The winter term of the East School was placed under the instruction of Mr. Samuel W. Lovejoy. Fresh from the classic halls of old Dart- mouth, with considerable experience and success as a teacher, much was expected of this school and its in- structor. We are happy to say that Mr. L.'s efforts

were attended with very good success, and that the progress and condition of the school under his charge, was in general, satisfactory. Much interest was shown by the parents and prudential committee of the district in its prosperity, and we believe the services of this teacher were acceptable to both. The order was unexceptionable, and a commendable interest in study was apparent. In penmanship, this school has long excelled. The writing books were unusually neat in their appearance, and we noticed that a large number of the scholars wrote a very fair hand. The examination was well attended, and though some of the classes did not appear quite as well as we had ex- pected, the exercises were creditable to the school and the teacher. The presence of a large number of spectators, sometimes proves a source of embarrass- ment to the scholars, (as we thought it did in this in- stance), disturbing, in some degree, that mental equi- librium so necessary on such occasions. Moreover, some teachers have a much greater faculty of " show- ing off," as it is called, than others, and we cannot always form a correct estimate of the progress of a school, from the brilliancy of the examination, espe- cially when the teacher has the liberty to proceed in his own way, and no questions are asked. It is al- ways satisfactory to a committee, to know from personal examination that the real and apparent pro- gress of a school are the same ; and it is their unques- tionable privilege to satisfy themselves on this point. This teacher labored diligently for the improvement of his school, and the progress of most of the scholars was all that could have been anticipated. Length of school, 13 weeks, of which the expense of the last two

was paid by subscription in the district, $22 being raised for that purpose by Mr. Wheeler, the prudential committee.

South East School.

Prudential Committee, CYRUS FLETCHER.

Summer Term .- This school was placed under the care and tuition of Miss Eliza J. Hosmer, of Concord, Miss Hosmer passed a very good examination before the committee on entering the school, and though young, it was thought she might manage it success- fully. She did well, though the improvement was not so great as could have been desired. There was a lack of interest in study, and the order was not at all times as perfect as we could have wished. If this school is a small one, there are as big rogues in it as in most schools, and it requires a pretty firm hand to govern them. We have not the least disposition to find fault with Miss H., for not ac- complishing more than she did, for we believe she did her best to advance her school ; but we take this op- portunity to say to those who are expecting soon to become teachers, that school-teaching is far from be- ing that easy, delightful employment that many sup- pose, and that it requires much firmness and decision of character, a large stock of patience, and thorough discipline of the mental powers, to teach and govern well. The average attendance of this school, as shown by the register, was the lowest of any in town. Length of school, 15 weeks.

Winter Term .- The winter term of this school was taught by Mr. Alvah M. Richardson, of Winches- ter. We hardly know what to say respecting

the school in this district, or whether it is best to say any thing. It has been a continual eye-sore to your committee, ever since they have had any thing to do with it. In the first place, the prudential committee, for the last two years, seem to have been singularly unfortunate in their selection of teachers. Then, there is, we fear, a want of that harmony and good understanding among the inhabitants of the district in relation to school matters, that should prevail. We attribute, however, the backward state of this school, more to the want of teachers of the right stamp, than to any thing else. There are some good scholars here, and it only needs a succession of teachers of the right character, to attain a respectable position among the schools of the town. As it is, we cannot but re- gret that so many golden opportunities of the children and youth of the district, should be thrown away un- der the instruction, or rather mismanagement, of incompetent teachers.

The gentleman who had charge of this school the past winter, presented himself for examina- tion to the committee the Saturday previous to commencing the school, and though hardly satisfactory, we did not feel like rejecting him on the ground of deficiency in literary attainments, well knowing, that in consequence of the embarrassment usually attending an examination, the best teachers sometimes fail to do themselves justice. He was accordingly permitted to begin the school, with the strongest desires on our part that he might be successful. It soon became ap- parent that his capacity for government, as well as his tact in teaching, was quite limited ; yet the difficulty of procuring a suitable teacher, so late in the season,

prevented us from displacing him. In speaking of this teacher, we would not be severe. He was un- doubtedly a highly respectable, conscientious young man, yet we cannot but think he has mistaken his calling, in assuming that of a teacher. He did not keep the school out, probably conscious himself that he was not accomplishing all that could be desired. That he labored faithfully for the improvement of his school, we have no doubt, but truth compels us to say, with moderate success. Length of school, 12 weeks. MORAL INSTRUCTION.

Before closing, permit us to say a word respecting the moral instruction of our youth. However well educated a child may be intellectually, if his moral character is bad, he cannot become a useful citizen. Educated in habits of idleness, intemperance and pro- fanity, regardless of the principles of truth and honesty, he cannot be the man he should be ; while his influ- ence cannot be otherwise than prejudicial to the best interests of those around him and of society at large. Let it not be supposed, in recommending increased attention to this branch of education, that by moral instruction we mean the indoctrination of our schools in the dogmas of sectarian theology. This is impossi- ble and undesirable. But by moral instruction, we mean the inculcation of those great principles of Christian morality that lie at the foundation of individual and social happiness-about which there is no difference of opinion, and the importance of which is acknowledged by all. Our fathers, in establishing a common school system of education, were far from intending that in- tellectual training should be the exclusive object of at- tention. They provided expressly, by statute, that "all

instructors of youth should take diligent care to im- press upon the minds of those committed to their charge, the principles of piety and justice, a sacred regard to truth, love to their country, humanity, so- briety, industry, moderation and temperance, and all those minor virtues, which are the ornament of human society, and the basis of our republican institutions." In visiting some of our schools, we have been painfully impressed with the lack of attention to this subject. Occasionally, profane language is heard; though, to their honor be it said, but seldom. A great responsi- bility rests with parents in regard to this matter. Teachers cannot, and ought not, to be expected to do everything. We would have more attention given to the formation of good manners in our schools ; to the cultivation of the external forms of common polite- ness; to those small, sweet courtesies and civilities of life, that give such an indescribable charm to social intercourse, and are ever among the surest passports to public esteem.

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Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1853-82, Part 6

Author: Publication date: 1853 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1072

Author:
Publication date: 1853
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1072