USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1883/1884-1886/1887 > Part 16
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A high grade of scholarship implies capacity-"brains," love of knowledge, thoroughness, fidelity, and perseverance as a student, and every scholarly man or woman has paid this price. Apti- tude to teach and to govern implies special talent in that direc- tion, a hearty and unaffected sympathy with young people, and pleasure in association with them, the power to discern intui- tively and to follow a good example, to make the slightest sug- gestion fruitful of good results, and to devise original methods to round out what is learned from others. A knowledge of ed- ucational principles implies special study and training, and only extensive and confident mastery of them, united with much good judgment, can give the ability to apply them. A teacher may, to be sure, learn much by experience, but the most bril- liant genius that ever adorned the profession, could not discover all its principles for himself, much less all its best methods, and the proverbial costliness of experience will apply here to the taught, if not to the teacher. In other callings, the apprentice can undertake at first the simpler parts of the work, but here the untrained teacher must at once undertake the whole.
I would earnestly recommend that the qualifications above indicated be demanded of all applicants for permanent employ- ment in the schools. If the demand is made, the supply will be forthcoming. The demand, and not the supply, should fix the standard. The teacher who has the best equipment, natural and acquired, on beginning her work will profit most by the
I34
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
assistance furnished by supervision and by experience, will improve the most rapidly and the most permanently. One man will take a piece of canvas and paint upon it a picture more or less creditable and valuable; another, with the same materials and in the same time, will produce one worth a hundred times as much. Who can say that there is not a corresponding difference in the work of different teachers ?
It is well to take pride in the excellence of our schools, so far as we are warranted in doing so. At the same time, we should not forget that, considering the great interests involved, no school in the land is good enough, and that there never can be a time when it will not be necessary to labor for their improvement.
The primary grades especially need skillful instructors. The first year is the most important of school life, and at the same time, the first steps are more difficult to teach successfully than any others.
WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS.
The objects of written examinations are the same as those of the recitation. These objects are stated by Hon. N. A. Luce, State Superintendent of schools of Maine, as follows :
I. " To secure study.
2. To influence the form or method of study.
3. To ascertain the results of study.
4. To give direct instruction.
5. To fix knowledge in the mind.
6. To train to clear and correct thinking.
7. To train to ready, clear, and correct expression of thought."
Every properly conducted written examination secures all these objects, " to ascertain the results of study " being only one of many, and several of the others being quite likely to exceed this in importance. Excepting the fourth, each may be in turn the most important, according to circumstances. It is unfortunate that the customary designation of these exercises gives undue prominence to the third object. "Written recita- tions " would be more correct and appropriate. There is, or at
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
least there should be, nothing peculiar in them as school exer- cises, and the transition from ordinary "written work" to written examinations, should be so gradual as to be imperceptible
The value of a written recitation lies chiefly, I think, in the fact that it furnishes very valuable exercise in composition which could not be so easily secured in any other way. In this way, in fact, it costs nothing, as the purpose of a recitation is se- cured at the same time. It also gives variety to the school ex- ercises, and, by furnishing a test in a form somewhat different from that of the oral recitation, gives a fair chance to pupils who can write better than they can recite orally. Another advan- tage is that it gives the pupil, (and perhaps also the teacher), a more correct impression of his standing than the oral recitation. In the latter, his imperfect answers being completed by other pupils or by the teacher, the degree of their imperfection is easily underrated.
The worry and nervous strain sometimes caused by written examinations, are due almost wholly to two or three causes, none of which should exist, nor is of the slightest benefit. The first is the undue importance attached to them as a means of determining the pupils standing, and another is the periodicity of their occurrence. They may also be too lengthy, or follow each other in too close succession. The teachers have been in- structed not to give, as a rule, more than one in one day, and, more recently, not to give examinations that the average pupil cannot be expected to complete in an hour, while at the same time, an hour and a half is allowed to all who need it. Too lengthy examinations wear out both teachers and pupils to no purpose whatever. In my own experience I have found pupils desiring written examinations quite as often as I thought it necessary to give them, their motive being to obtain an indica- tion of their standing from the marking of the paper.
MORALS AND MANNERS.
The school does much to develope character, good or bad. It should have a powerful influence in developing good princi-
136
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ples, and under proper conditions will do so. The teacher who cannot create and maintain a healthy moral sentiment, tending day by day to grow stronger, would be better employed in some other calling. The provisions of the State law, constitute an admirable guide in this respect, and one that cannot be too often consulted.
The most effective means of promoting good morals, is by in- sisting on the practice of them in all school duties and relations, and by making all concerned feel that such practice is honora- ble, and the opposite dishonorable, low, contemptible and de- grading. Much can also be done in other ways, sometimes by direct precept or instruction, but mainly in connection with in- cidents illustrating moral qualities, good or the reverse. The teacher who has the tact and the moral earnestness to turn these to account for illustration, can easily impart a lesson that will be full of interest, make a deep impression, and never be forgotten. In a similar manner, the facts of history and even of geography, and the achievements of our illustrious men may teach love of country and a large list of manly virtues.
Another excellent means is the use of "Memory Gems." Supt. Peaslee, of Cincinnati, says in his report for 1885, " There is no subject in our course of study that is so popular among parents, teachers and pupils, as Memory Gems."
The "Lessons in Manners," to be placed in the hands of teachers next term, as an aid in oral instruction, and which are in extensive use in this way elsewhere, it is hoped will be found of great service.
GENERAL DIRECTIONS TO TEACHERS.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
Teach the subject, not the text-book merely. Let the text- book be your servant, not your master. Lead your pupils to regard their work as something desirable to be accomplished or gained, rather than as tasks to be performed.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Teach them to think intelligently about every subject studied. Beyond the rudiments of the three R's, this is by far the most valuable result of school training. It is the thinkers, not the walking cyclopedias, that are the world's great men and women. Remember, however, that thinking requires time, and if the lesson assigned is too heavy, thinking must give way to cram. Short lessons, supplemented by oral instruction, and thoroughly learned and digested, should be the motto.
The following principles, quoted from Spencer on Education, are worthy of the most careful consideration :
In education we should proceed from-
I. The simple to the complex.
2. The concrete to the abstract, and
3. Should follow the same order as the development of knowl- edge in the race has followed. hence
4. Should proceed from the empirical to the rational, and
5. The process of self-development should be encouraged to the fullest extent.
6. The course of study and the methods of instruction should be such as to make the acquisition of knowledge pleasurable.
The last two principles are at once " the most important and the least attended to."*
THE RECITATION.
I. ESSENTIALS.
I. The interest of every pupil in the class must be enlisted in, and his attention held fixed upon, the entire recitation.
2. Every member of the class must recite either orally or mentally the entire lesson, though the lesson be gone through with but once.
3. Every part of the lesson must be recited accurately, fully, in proper connection, and generally in complete sentences.
The first two of these essentials will be attained quickly and with comparative ease, simply by a proper method of conducting the recitation; the third will require endless patience, persist- ence and vigilance.
* Spencer.
138
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
II. MODE OF CONDUCTING.
1. Be thorough. Hence : give short lessons ; assign lesson but once ; make every point ; call back all new instruction given ; take up all parts of the lesson in which pupils have failed, in immediate and thorough review ; review each day the preceding lesson ; also review each general topic as a whole.
2. Call upon pupils to recite in no regular order.
3. State question or topic before name of pupil
4. Hold every pupil to have made all mistakes of others that he does not notice.
5. If any pupil is detected failing in attention, call upon him to recite at once.
6. Assign lessons by topics in all subjects that admit of it. In these subjects do not use the book in recitation. The topics can not be too carefully prepared. Their character will largely determine whether the work of the pupil be mere thoughtless memorizing and parrot-like repetition of the words of the book, or true study, characterized by intelligent thought and producing mental growth and strength. The relation between principal and minor topics should always be carefully consid- ered, and be clearly shown in assigning them. They should also be such as to lead to answers in the pupil's own words, and with a little skill may be easily made so. With the use of suitable topics the pupil studies, as he should always do, the subject instead of the text-book merely.
7. Draw out by proper questions all necessary facts which the pupils fail to bring out in their independent recitation .*
8. Go through the lesson but once in one recitation. With proper teaching there will be neither time nor use for more.
9. In all recitations the use of correct and even elegant, yet simple, language should be a constant aim. It should be adapted to the pupil's capacity, all stilted forms being avoided. In the ninth and tenth grades much attention should be given to the present participle and such conjunctions as "therefore,"
* Though the points thus far on the Recitation are well known to educa- tors generally. I am largely indebted to Hon. N. A. Luce. State Superintendent of Schools of Maine, for the form of expression employed.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
" hence," "accordingly," etc. The teacher's example in the use of language, as in other things, should be such as to constantly tend to the pupil's improvement.
IO. Be careful not to lose time, animation is an essential element of good work. Do not repeat answer of pupil. In oral spelling lessons, pronounce words but once, and allow pupils to try but once. In reading lessons, and other recita- tions of younger pupils, change frequently from one to another. Every pupil should feel that he is liable to be called upon at any moment. This will do much to secure close attention. Use all possible means to arouse interest and appreciation of the work in hand.
II. The difficulties of each pupil should be carefully noted, and what he can accomplish only by extraordinary effort should not in general be required. The school is for the pupils, not the pupils for the school, and in order that each pupil may do his best, it is indispensable that much allowance be made for in- dividual tastes and capacities. Some of the most successful men of all times have not been distinguished for high rank in school. Pupils that seem dull, may possess the elements of success in an equal degree with those that appear more gifted ; and any failure not due to the pupils own carelessness or ne- glect, should always be treated with the utmost consideration. It is the business of education to develope the powers of the child, and there is too much variation in individual capacities to allow of measuring all by absolutely the same standard.
CARE OF PUPILS AND OF SCHOOL ROOMS AND PREMISES.
To have due regard to the health and comfort of pupils, to provide the most favorable conditions for their work, and to take proper care of school property, requires close attention to many details, and much good judgment. To aid in this direction is the object of the following suggestions and directions.
Teachers are expected to give personal attention to the neat- ness of every part of the school premises.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The temperature of the room should be kept at about 67ยบ, and as nearly uniform as possible.
Teachers are responsible for the prompt report of needed re- pairs.
A nuniber of the rooms are too dark in cloudy weather. At such times, see that the blinds do not interfere with the light otherwise available. In the school-room, good light is as im- portant as fresh air.
Teachers are expected always to have a judicious and kindly regard for the physical comfort and welfare of pupils, giving them personal attention at recesses, seeing that they do not un- duly expose themselves in inclement weather, and earnestly seeking to cultivate in them kindly and generous sentiments toward their associates. Any violation of honor and justice should be the subject of discipline, and any pupil whose moral influence is injurious, and who cannot be reformed by ordinary means. should be deprived of recess with the others, and the case reported to the Superintendent.
DUTIES OF JANITORS.
The rooms are to be carefully swept and dusted at least twice each week.
Each room must be constantly supplied with both large and small wood, and the ashes taken out frequently, leaving not more than two or three quarts in the stove. Where this is not properly attended to, a great waste of heat and consequently of fuel, is the result.
Janitors are expected to do- all in their power to keep every thing under their care neat, and in good order and proper re- pair, and shall comply with all reasonable requests of teachers in relation to their ordinary duties.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I would recommend that provision be made for instruction in music in each of the schools. A few minutes two or three times a day, amounting in all to fifteen or twenty minutes, spent
141
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
in this way, would yield results of great value, and at the same time, would help rather than hinder other work.
The following considerations in favor of the teaching of music are quoted from Circulars of Information of the National Bureau of Education, No. 2, 1885, p. 170.
I. " The study of music should be commenced in childhood, before the organs of hearing and vocalization become so fixed, that musical sounds can neither be appreciated nor produced.
2. In a sanitary view, singing is one of the best promoters of health.
3. Its good influence on the morals and deportment of the young is incalculable.
4. The mental discipline acquired in learning the science gives it as high a position as any other study.
5. Music as a means of vocal culture, is unequalled, and greatly aids in making good readers and speakers.
6. The public schools afford the only means to many, and the most economical means to all, of learning the rudiments of music."
To this may be added, that instruction in music is a feature of the best schools everywhere.
The desks in Main street Intermediate, are so low as to be not only uncomfortable, but injurious to the health of pupils. New ones should be provided as soon as practicable.
I would earnestly advise pupils entering the High School, to take one of the regular courses of study. The cases are ex- tremely rare in which it is really wise to take an irregular course. To those who wish to become teachers, 'I would re- commend the General Course, or still better, a combination of the General and Classical. This would require some additional time, but the outlay would be well repaid.
TABULAR VIEW OF SCHOOLS,
SCHOOLS.
Number of differ
ent pupils.
Average number.
of attendance.
Number of weeks of school.
High school.
55
45.92
41 99
.914
40
Higher Grammar-Main street.
33
30.85
27.96
.906
School street. -
23
20.75
10 40
.932
Lower Grammar-Main street.
41
34.75
32.50
.008
School street. -
27
10.39
17.14
.884
Intermediate-Main street.
42
11.20
28.05
.573
.008
River street. -
45
37.60
34 40
.015
Higher Primary-Elm street.
41
36.95
3200
.878
55
School street.
14
36.77
33.55
.013
55
River street.
35
Lower Primary-Elm street. -
51
32 55
20 11
Main street,
46
35.48
20.73
.637
School street.
56
47
41.26
.878
35
River street. East.
47
39.52
35 45
River street. West.
42
20.82
25.05
.84
Mixed Primary-Sumner. -
20
13.87
12.12
.874
35
Carpenter. -
53
32.2%
20.00
.9
85
Ammidown.
46
36.19
32.78
.906
Ungraded-Bacon.
13
11.07
10.18
.92
35
Hooker.
.638
35
Dennison. -
17
10.97
9.55
35
Total. -
287.05
606.05
.552
Total average, -
39.41
31.23
27 55
.852
3.80
-
Union street.
94.20
31.13
-
41.44
35.90
.808
15.33
9.77
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Number of children of school age in town March 1, 1885, I358
Number in school over 15 years of age, - 60
Number in school under 5 years of age, 18
Number in school between 8 and 14 years of age, 496
Number of different teachers, 32
Salary of Principal of High Shool, $1,100 00
Salary of Assistant in High School, $14 and $12 50
Average pay of teachers per week, except High School, 9 06
Respectfully submitted,
March, 1886. W. HARPER.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN CLERK
AND
Warrant for Town Meeting.
REPORT.
INSURANCE ON TOWN PROPERTY.
WITH THE DATE OF EXPIRATION OF POLICIES
An Mint.
Property Insured.
Expires
S 600. School house, Bacon District.
June 1, 1886
3.000. Books, etc., library. July 1. 1886
1,000
Books, etc., library, July 1. 1886
I 600. School house, Elm street.
Sept 6, 1886
2 200. School house. Sandersdale.
Dec. 1. 1886
2,00 ). School house, Main street.
Jan. 1. 1887
1.500. Town hall, Elm street. -
Feb 1. 1887
600 School house. Sumner District.
Apr. I. ISST
2.500. Town house,
May 1, 1887
2,000. School house, Union street.
Nov. I. ISS;
2.000. School house. Main street.
Jan. 1. 1888
2.500. Library building.
Nov. 1. 1888
2.500.
School house. School street.
Nov. 1. 1888
1.200. School house, Pleasant street.
Now. 1. 18SS
600 School house, Hooker District,
Apr 1, 1890
2,225. Alms-house. barn. shed, stock etc ..
Dec. 1. 1890
4.450. Alms-house, barn, shed, stock, etc ..
Dec. 1, 1890
2.225. Alms-house, barn. shed, stock, etc ..
Dec. 14, 1890
$34 700.
148
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
RECEIPTS.
Balance in treasury March 1, 1885, $21 85
Appropriation April 6, 1885, 125 00
Amount overdrawn March 1, 1886, 32 84
$179 69
DISBURSEMENTS.
Paid premium April 1, 1885.
$7 20
Paid premium Nov. 1, 1885, 30 00
Paid premium Dec. 1, 1885,
7 62
Paid premium Dec. 1, 1885,
79 25
Paid premium Dec. 14, 1885, -
55 62
$179 69
VITAL STATISTICS.
MARRIAGES, BIRTHS AND DEATHS IN THE TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE, FROM JANUARY 1, 1885, TO JANUARY 1, 1886.
Number of Marriages,
Americans, 21 ; French, 19; Irish, 17. 57
Number of births,
American, 37; French, 121; Irish, 26; African, 3. 126
187
Number of deaths,
American, 35; French, 59; Irish, 25 ; African, 2; English, 3; Scotch, 2.
Of the number of deaths, 52 were under 5 years of age, 3 be- tween 5 and 10, 9 between 10 and 20, 13 between 20 and 30, 6 between 30 and 40, 6 between 40 and 50, 7 between 50 and 60, 6 between 60 and 70, 15 between 70 and 80, 7 between 80 and 90, 1, 92, and 1, 99.
Number of dogs licensed, -
- 202
Males, 186; females, 16.
-
Respectfully submitted, EDGAR D. MORSE, Town Clerk.
WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING, APRIL 5, 1886.
WORCESTER, SS.
To either of the Constables of the town of Southbridge, in the County of Worcester, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby requested to notify the inhabitants of the town of Southbridge, aforesaid, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet in the town hall in said Southbridge, on Mon- day, the fifth day of April next, at nine of the clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meet- ing.
ARTICLE 2. To choose all necessary town officers for the ensuing year, viz : Clerk, Treasurer. Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, Assessors, School Committee, Library Committee, Cemetery Committee, Auditors of Accounts, one or more Highway Surveyors, and Constables. The polls will be kept open until three o'clock p. m., unless otherwise determined by the meeting.
ARTICLE 3. To vote by ballot " Yes " or " No " in answer to the question, " Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxi- cating liquors in the town ? "
150
WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING.
ARTICLE 4. To hear the report of the Auditors of Accounts, Treasurer, Clerk, Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, Fire Engineers, School Committee, Library Committee and Ceme- tery Committee, and act thereon.
ARTICLE 5. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to pay town debts and charges the ensuing year, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 6. To see if the town will authorize the Collector to use the means for collecting the taxes which the Town Treas- urer when appointed a Collector may use, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the town will allow a discount on taxes paid within a certain period, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer to borrow money in acticipation of taxes, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the town will accept the list of jurors as posted and presented by the Selectmen, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the town will vote to pay the engine men for the ensuing year, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the observance of Memorial Day, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money to pay the Water Supply Company for the use of hydrants and water for the drinking fountain for the ensuing year, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the town will build a sidewalk on South side of Dresser street from Chapin street to land of ('. A. Dresser, raise and appropriate money therefor, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 14. To see if the town will repair the highway leading from the house of Ira F. Jacobs to George F. Sayles, raise and appropriate money therefor, or act thereon.
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WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING.
ARTICLE 15. To see if the town will instruct the School Committee to employ a Superintendent of Schools for the ensuing year, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the town will build a gravel walk on the east side of Elm street from the intersection of Everett street to the house of S. P. Irwin, raise and appropriate money therefor, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 17. To see if the town will build a sidewalk on the south side of North street from Foster street to Mechanic street, raise and appropriate money therefor, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 18. To see if the town will establish four additional lamp posts and lanterns on Hamilton street, between Pine street and Gleason's store, using those now in possession of the town, or raise and appropriate money therefor, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 19. To see if the town will purchase lamp posts and lanterns to be placed as follows : Three on Fiske street, two on Oakes avenue, two on South Marcy street, two on Mechanic street, one on Chapin street, two on Charlton road between the Central bridge and M. M. Marble's house, four on Pleasant street north of River street.
ARTICLE 20. To see if the town will vote to elect one addi- tional Highway Surveyor.
ARTICLE 21. To see if the town will vote to elect a Board of Health.
ARTICLE 22. To see if the town will build a pest house and purchase land therefor, raise and appropriate money therefor, or act thereon.
ARTICLE 23 To see if the town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to remove the entire plank walk on River and Crane streets and substitute gravel therefor, raise and appro- priate money therefor, or act thereon.
152
WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING.
ARTICLE 24. To see if the town will build a retaining wall, with a suitable railing thereon, on the south side of Cliff street opposite the residence of Silas Phillips, raise and appropriate money therefor, or act thereon.
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