USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1871 > Part 5
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
hygiene ; and in the more common business forms, as well as in the principles of arithmetic, reading, spelling and writing. The teaching aimed at is concise and clearly illustrated ; and the facts stated should subsequently be written by the scholars in language of their own. This exercise produces a habit of close attention to the teacher, practises the memory, gives skill and accuracy in expressing ideas ; and with the criticism of the teacher upon each performance, it is the very best mode of teach- ing grammatical construction and spelling, for it is a practice in both. This attempt has been only partially successful, owing to the very limited proficiency of a majority of the pupils ; but the degree of success attained thus far, will warrant a further trial, especially with the more advanced pupils. A better classifica- tion, however, and more teachers are necessary for the highest success of these schools.
FREE EVENING SCHOOL FOR INDUSTRIAL AND MECHANICAL DRAWING.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE NOV. 25th, 1871.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the School Board of Worcester.
The special committee, to whom was referred the question of opening an evening school for Mechanical and Industrial Drawing, in accordance with the statute on this subject, submit the following report :
On the 29th of Sept. 1870, resolutions were adopted by this Board, at the suggestion of a sub-committee who had investigated the subject, authorizing the establishment of an evening drawing school at Boynton Hall. Accordingly applications for admission were received, and a class was opened in October ; but the number who wished to avail themselves of its privileges increased so rapidly, as soon as the nature of the instruction was understood, that a second and a third class was organized in rapid succession. But not all these classes were sufficient to accomodate all who wished to attend ; and many were put off till the next year.
Items of interesting information concerning this school, may be found in the report of the public schools for 1870, and in an address before the social science association, delivered by Prof. C. O. Thompson fin the spring of 1871. This school was the first established under the law authorizing such schools. It opened under the most favorable auspices, both because the Institute of Indus- trial Science located here, furnished able instructors, the necessary appa- ratus, and rooms fitted for the use of the school, and also because here, to a remarkable extent, the citizens, workmen and others, appreciated such a school.
58
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 26.
It was therefore a model which other cities copied largely. The success was a credit to the city, and to those in attendance ; and the progress made by all the classes, was surprising to those familiar with what it was. What was an experiment fourteen months ago-to which we felt our way blindly-is now clear in the light of successful experience.
This school supplies a sensible want, and is seen to be useful by persons of almost every occupation. In connection with these schools, established throughout the state for the first time last year, either originating them, or originating from them, or in part both, a new interest in art education has been awakened ; art education, not only as cultivating the taste for the beautiful in architecture, in gardening, painting, etc., which are its less practical, perhaps higher forms, but also as tending to increase the products of industry, when applied to the varied manufactures of the state. The city of Boston has employed a distinguished teacher from the famous school at Leeds, in England, to superintend this branch of education in her public schools, at a salary of £500; and to this sum the state Board of Education adds an equal amount, in the interest of the state. This gentleman, Walter Smith, Esq., addressed the late meeting of the state teachers association in Tremont Temple on the subject ; and his remarks are printed at length in the November number of the Massachusetts Teacher.
He says, very wisely, that this education must begin in the public schools, and that the regular teachers are best situated for doing the work. Bat at first they themselves must be instructed, and the public interest in this branch of study, must be aroused ; and for these purposes, Evening Schools.
While this subject is receiving such attention throughout the state, it is evident that for us not to move forward is to fall behind ; and in this art educa- tion, so called for want of a less pretentious name, there is opened for cultivation a field whose profit, even in a material point of view, may be seen when we compare the countries neglecting it, with those which had given it the proper attention. Our school this year ought to be as much better than the last, as the course to be pursued is clearer in the light of experience.
At a meeting of your committee the propositions made in the last monthly report of the superintendent, relative to this subject were considered. The old High School house cannot be put in permanent order for any school purpose in less than two or three months ; and any temporary patching up which might be accomplished would subject both the school and the workmen to great inconvenience. To use this house is out of the question.
The hall of the school house on Belmont street, and the ward room in the basement will furnish room for two large classes. A side walk is in process of construction from Lincoln Square to the house. The superintendent of the gas works has promised to carry pipes to the building, and no other expense need be incurred to put the rooms in readiness, except to pipe the house, which can be done at no very large expense, and perhaps, to put doors at the head of the stairs leading to the hall. These improvements are needful, aside from the drawing school, and will be permanent.
In occupying rooms of our own, some furniture will be needed, such as draw-
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SCHOOLS. - SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
ing tables, chairs and models. Tables similar to those in use at the Institute can be obtained. At least 100 will be needed, each with a chair such as may be bought for 50 or 75 cents.
A set of models consisting of ten pieces, more fully described by drawings and specifications prepared for this committee, is needed for this class ; a simi- lar set is needed for each of the larger grammar schools.
The teachers employed last year may be secured for the present season at the same rate as last year. And the superintendent has been directed by this com - mittee to engage them subject to the approval of the Board.
He was also directed to advertise for application to be made at his office by any who wish to become members of the proposed class. *
About three times as many persons have sought the privileges of this school as had applied at a corresponding stage last year: We are two months behind the time of beginning last year. Our furniture and apparatus are yet to be made.
In accordance with the above suggestions we therefore recommend ; the fitting up and use of the Belmont street school hall and ward room; the purchase of 100 drawing tables and chairs ; the purchase of a set of models for this school, and one for each grammar master; to employ the same teachers as last year ; and to open such classes, to have 30 lessons each, two a week, as the exigencies of the case may require. And to put this subject in definite form, the following is proposed for action :
Resolved-That the superintendent of schools be directed to give notice of the opening of the Evening Drawing Class, in accordance with the foregoing recommendations ; and that he receive applications for membership, and, in consultation with the committee on drawing, organize as many classes as may be required, at a cost aside from furniture apparatus and fixtures, not to exceed $1500.
GEORGE W. GALE, ) Special Committee
C. B. METCALF, on Evening
E. WARNER. Drawing School.
Worcester, Nov. 21st, 1871.
This school was opened in accordance with the above recommendation, December 4thı, in the Belmont street house, because the rooms on Walnut street designed for its accom- modation, were not ready. Under the direction of the special committee in charge, the sum of one thousand dollars was expended in fixtures for the ward-room and hall of that building and in furniture for the class. The tables in use have a cast iron pedestal with arevolving rod, fastened at any desir- able height by a clamp screw, and supporting a small shelf for instruments, besides the leaf which can be placed at any angle. They were manufactured at the Washburn Machine shop at the Institute in this city. A simple set of models was also procured
60
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 26.
consisting of ten pieces : sphere, cylinder, cone, pyramid, hexa- gonal prism, square prism, rectangular box, a hollow square with sides 23 inches square, and a ring of the same size 12 inches in diameter. These, with a large variety of boxes and implements of various kinds, constitute the apparatus.
Each student provided himself with a board 18 x 24 inches in size, four thumb tacks, paper, rubber, and hexagonal pencil of similar hardness to Faber, No. 3. In addition to the above, the class in Mechanical drawing require each a T square, adjustable dividers with pen and pencil, a triangle, a scale, india ink, etc .- the necessary cost not exceeding $4.50.
The number of persons who entered at the beginning, is 254; of whom 201 were males and 53 females. Their ages were : - 76 from 15 to 20 ; 126 from 20 to 30 ; 36 from 30 to 40; 6 from 40 to 60 ; and 1 over 60. Of machinists there were 46 ; carpenters, 33 ; teachers, 33; and the balance is distributed among 41 different trades and professions. But since the organization there have been changes in the classes which modify these figures. Fifty-two were members of last year's classes. The average number pres- ent each two evenings is more than 200.
Four classes were organized :-
I. An advanced class in Free Hand.
II. An advanced class in Mechanical Drawing.
III. and IV. Beginners.
The first two, made up largely of last year's pupils, meet on Monday and Tuesday evening at 73 o'clock ; the last two on Tuesday and Friday each week. After the first ten lessons in Free Hand drawing, the beginners were re-classified about the 12th. inst ; sixty took up mechanical drawing ; and two classes continued Free Hand, one of fifty and one of about twenty.
The course of introductory instruction in free hand is as fol- lows :- "Three lessons in horizontal and vertical lines, and plain and ornamental forms composed of those lines. Three lessons in curves. Two lessons in perspective. Two lessons in review.
For the first course of twenty lessons in mechanical drawing, a good part of the time, say three fourths, is spent in learning the elements of descriptive geometry. Descriptive geometry is mechanical drawing in one sense; that is, it is the method of representing any object in horizontal and
61
SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
vertical projection in any position. A knowledge of geome- try proper is of incalculable value as a preliminary, but is not indispensable. The problems to be given must be selected with great care; and the aid of a blackboard so contrived as to show the two planes, is of great importance. The remaining lessons may be devoted to simple or complicated problems in construction, according to the proficiency of each pupil. It will be observed that this method of instruction differs widely from the one usually followed in classes connected with our voluntary organizations. That plan is to give the pupil certain arbitrary rules for producing certain results, and pupils are generally allowed to choose their own studies. This plan contemplates the mastery of the great principles of projection, so that the pupil can delineate any form he wishes, and put it in any desired position."
The mechanical class has gone on to more complicated studies in machine drawing, and the representation of a greater variety of objects. The advanced free hand class takes up more difficult groups, and develops the laws of perspective, shading etc. From the nature of the case the instruction must be general and aim at discipline, rather than specific, for the special benefit of par- ticular classes. It could not aim in forty-four directions at done.
These classes were visited in December by Walter Smith, Esq., late director of one of the best schools of art in England, at Leeds, and now superintendent of this branch of study for the city of Boston and our own state. He commended the interest and progress of the class, and spoke of an exhibition of the work done in this school and others in the state, which will take place at some central point at the close of the season. A fine collec- tion of samples from the English schools, models, casts, examples, etc., presented by the British government, were at the same time displayed in Natural History Hall. These were visited by a large number of our substantial citizens-machinists, manufac- turers, capitalists, and workmen. Mr. Smith addressed them, and called forth many expressions of the need that has been felt of this kind of instruction, and the advantages to business flow- ing from it. He also addressed the whole body of teachers assembled for the purpose, and imparted a new impetus and a new interest to this regular common school study.
9
62
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 26.
THE NORMAL AND TRAINING SCHOOL.
In organization, purpose and number in attendance this school continues as last year. Like all similar schools it has still to contend against the almost universal objection that young ladies have, to seeking a thorough preparation before engaging in the work of teaching. Too often they prefer the crowded ranks of mediocrity and small pay, to the almost vacant eminences in the profession, more difficult of access indeed, but crowded with salaries, honor, influence and extensive usefulness. This school is a constant protest against the round of dull drill and hum- drum routine, into which teachers are so tempted to fall, and against the idea that inexperience and incompetency are toler- able in primary schools. The graduates of this school are all employed in the city excepting five ; two have been called to other cities , and two married. Their names are these :
1869, DELIA A. LATHROP, Principal.
Susan M. Buttrick,
Mary T. Gale,
Amanda M. Phillips,
Emma I. Claflin,
Carrie E. Gilbert, Abbie J. Reed,
Louisa A. Dawson,
Emma J. Houghton,
Mary A. E. Tirrell,
Ellen E. Daniels,
Mary E. Kavanaugh,
Eleanor Watkins,
Eunie M. Gates,
Ella J. H. Knight,
Abbie A. Walls,
Amelia J. Woodworth.
1870. Rebecca Jones, Principal.
Linnie M. Allen,
Julia M. Martin, Esther M. Rice,
Anetta M. Chapin,
Maggie I. Melanefy, Esther B. Smith,
Maggie E. Barton,
Mary L. Norcross,
Evelyn E. Towne,
Hattie W. Bliss,
Eliza F. Prentice, Martha T. Wyman.
1871. Rebecca Jones, Principal.
Emma H. Barton,
Belle Y. Hoyt, Flora J. Osgood,
Mary V. Callaghan,
Ida A. E. Kenney,
Alice M. Prouty.
Abbie F. Hemenway,
Emma J. Norcross,
The Exercises of Examination and Graduation, June 28th, 1871, were :
MORNING .- 9 o'clock-Opening Exercises.
In room A.
B. C. Spelling.
9:35
Language,
Spelling,
Number. Objects.
9:50
Number,
Human Body,
10:10
Place,
Number, Reading.
10:30-Recess.
10:50
Spelling,
Music,
Animals.
11:05
Form,
Color,
11:15
Plants,
Animals,
Human Body. Reading.
9:15
Reading,
Reading,
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
AFTERNOON .- Dix Street Hall, 2 o'clock.
Music-Chorus.
Essay-"Place, or Elementary Geography," Mary V. Callaghan.
Essay-"Size, Weight, Color, Sound and Objects," Abbie F. Hemenway.
Music-Instrumental-Belle Y. Hoyt.
Essay-"Reading, Spelling, and Writing," Emma J. Norcross. Essay-"Language." Alice M. Prouty.
"Lesson with Children," Mary V. Callaghan.
Music-Song-Alice M. Prouty.
Essay-"Number," Flora J. Osgood.
Essay-"Form and Inventive Drawing," Belle Y. Hoyt.
"Lesson with Children," Emma J Norcross.
Recitation-School Economy.
Essay-"Human Body and Animals," Emma H. Barton.
Essay-"Plants and Minerals," Ida A. E. Kenney.
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS.
Music-Class Song.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
The amount of study assigned to each grade of our schools is designed to be what the average pupil will accomplish in one year. It is the design also, that each room should be occupied by a single class, all of the same grade. This plan has been generally carried out ; but from want of rooms, and an excess of pupils in certain localities, it has been necessary to maintain double schools of the lowest grade with an assistant teacher and eighty or ninety pupils in each. All these have now been divided. In the more thinly settled districts on the other hand, at Quinsiga- mond and New Worcester, for example, there are not enough pupils in each grade to form a separate class ; in these cases sev- eral grades are taught in one room.
The single class plan encounters the difficulty, that pupils who enter at the beginning of the year have not all the same attain- ments ; for with our new houses, new schools, and growing population in certain sections, they are often collected front several schools ; nor have they the same capacity. Some are capa- ble of advancing more rapidly than the majority ; others, not so fast. Still others are irregular in attendance, from sickness or less excusable causes, and fall behind. For the dull or the un- fortunate pupil to fall back a whole year is discouraging ; for the bright active pupil to jump a grade is a difficult feat. Moreover, it has been observed that pupils admitted in the middle of the year, find it difficult to go on with the class they ought to join, especially if they are dull, or backward as is usually the case
64
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 26.
with such irregular scholars ; and teachers ambitious to do well, very naturally do not desire to receive the dull pupils from the room above or, in the middle of the year, to send their brightest scholars to grace that upper room.
To overcome such evils as these, it was proposed a few years since to go over the studies of a year, in six months ; at the end of that time those qualified were to be promoted to the next grade ; the rest reviewed the studies during the remainder of the year. A small class was promoted from each room ; these were scholars least needing the additional stimulus and most injured by it ; many of them subsequently fall back into their original grade. As a result of this effort three pupils entered the High School six months earlier, and at the end of the year joined the regular class from the Grammar Schools ; and of the three, two subse- quently dropped out of the school altogether. Had this plan been successful with a majority of pupils it would have shown that the studies assigned for a year were only half enough.
Another remedy proposed is, to place pupils of two or three grades in the same room under one teacher. It is claimed that pupils receive a large part of their knowledge from hearing the older ones recite ; and that every one in the room will be fitted for one or another of the classes. But a scholar below the lowest class or above the highest, would as now be sent to another room ; and evidently the most advanced class could learn from none beyond them. It is at least questionable also how much benefit a boy may derive from listening to a recitation in one class while preparing his lesson for another. It is more than doubtful whether our schools would be more profitable if the classes in three rooms were divided and one third of each given to each of the teachers. The plan has been adopted, how- ever, in some of the western cities. Each teacher is told to select the best pupils and prepare them for promotion as soon as possi- ble. The effect is to expend more effort upon the best pupils who need it least and who from over study are more likely to be injured. And careful observers have seen in it a strong tendency to the "cramming" process which is the great evil of schools.
That our system of grading the schools was not perfect, is seen from those very attempts to improve it. To find a perfect remedy is not easy. In seeking to improve the organization of
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SCHOOLS .- SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
the schools, the end sought to be obtained by them must not be lost sight of. This end is discipline, development, mental growth and culture, and not the mere memorizing of facts, how- ever numerous and important. This end can not be reached by any mere system, however perfect. It may even be retarded by too rapid progress. No amount of stretching will produce healthy growth in a twig. The gradation of schools is only an aid. For successful work there must be an intelligent teacher-a living force-stationed at every point. Nor should a system be constructed in the interest of scholars irregular, and fre- quently absent. Their number ought to be reduced by a law which will express the public sentiment on the subject ; and for the unavoidable cases, provision might be made by a special scliool. For remarks on these subjects you are respect- fully referred to the last report-titles, School for Special Instruction and Attendance Compulsory.
To give scope and comprehensiveness to the instruction, teachers are directed not only to cover the ground assigned to their own and the lower grades, but also as far as possible to take up collateral subjects, and by oral lessons and reference to things familiar to conduct the pupils over as broad a range as their minds can profitably contemplate. For this purpose, and for others partly specified and partly suggested, as well as to obviate the evils noted above, the Grammar schools have been re-organized upon the plan set forth in the following :-
RESOLUTIONS ON THE DUTIES OF GRAMMAR MASTERS.
To secure a better classification of pupils in the same building, to advance more rapidly those pupils who fall behind their class, and to obtain, as far as may be desirable, uniformity in the methods and plans of instruction and disci- pline in the several grades of school which occupy the same building, thus uniting them in one system,
Resolved, 1 That the Grammar Master having been provided with an assist- ant for his own room, shall, under the direction of the superintendent, assume the duties of principal of his own building, and such other rooms as may be assigned to him, and visit them weekly.
2. That he shall make himself familiar with the character, wants, and progress, of each pupil, and promote or send them down, as the best interest of the pupil and the general good may require, taking special care that no scholar lose his courage for want of suitable aid and encouragement.
3. That he shall direct the several assistant teachers in following the prescribed course of study.
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CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 26.
4. That he shall report to the superintendent all cases of absence, delinquency, or failure to comply with the rules of the Board on the part of teachers ; and in case of the temporary absence of any teacher in his district he shall let the place be filled by his assistant.
5. That the duties of principal at the Thomas street school shall be performed by the lady teacher of grade eight so far as she may be able to assume them without an assistant in her own room.
EDWARD H. HALL, - GEO. JAQUES, Special Committee. E. B. STODDARD,
Worcester, Nov. 7, 1871.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
In this school in the new house we expect new life, new inter- est and new prosperity and progress. The indications are favor- able. A larger number than ever before has this year been enrolled. A class of one hundred and sixty-five was admitted. The graduating class was larger than any within ten years. There seems a disposition on the part of pupils to be worthy of their privileges. But for the year the average attendance is low. This is in part due to the change of the school year in May and the interruption at the beginning of the Fall term. By the new arrangement of the Grammar Schools access to this school is simple and easy to those who desire it. Admission is governed by the pupil's record as well as by the result of his examination. Any applicant not admitted may rest assured that his best place for study is the Grammar School. The course of study aims to supply the wants of all classes as much as can be expected. The classical man can fit his boy for college here; the mechanic for the technical school; the mer- chant for the counting room ; and a limited choice is left for individual preferences. But here as in all the schools, the aim is and must be, discipline and not special preparation for any par- ticular calling ; the object is to develop men and women, and not to instruct merchants or mechanics, doctors, lawyers, or ministers. For this special training, we now have the Technical School in one direction, and shall soon have the Normal School in another. The first two years in the classical course is the requisite prepara- tion for the Technical School. This course of study appears on a succeeding page.
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