USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1892-1894 > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
13
194
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
tain a high standard of work in every grade ; then, obvious- ly, pupils cannot be promoted from one grade to another un- less they are ready for promotion. Hence parents should be careful to sustain the teachers in preserving good disci- pline and in cultivating right habits of study, behavior and attention in their pupils. Parents should show a personal and particular interest in their children's progress by fre- quently visiting the schools or consulting with the teachers. Nothing stimulates interest and industry at school so much as interest and attention on the parents' part-at home.
Kindergarten.
At the beginning of the fall term steps were taken to estab- lish a public Kindergarten in the Russell School. Circum- stances were such that it was hardly possible to make it a complete Kindergarten to begin with. It is a real Kinder- garten, however, and I trust that measures may be taken before long to make it larger and completer in its equip- ment and accommodations.
Teachers and Teachers' Meetings.
Under my direction the teachers have given special atten- tion this year to reading, writing, spelling and language. They are now ready for definite and specific directions con- cerning instruction in geography, history and arithmetic.
Under no conditions, as was stated last year, can substan- tial progress be made in every study at the same time, es- pecially when marked changes in methods of teaching and training are introduced. It seems better to take one sub- ject at a time, to do a little, to learn to do that well and then go on to do more. In educational matters it is impor- tant that we make haste slowly. The problems connected with education are so complicated and adjustments so deli- cate that hasty action cannot fail to bring harm. Teachers' meetings have been held frequently during the year, at which it has been my purpose to try to inspire the teachers
195
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
to teach well and to make their work artistic and practical. Methods have been discussed and illustrated at many of these meetings, and during the present term many of the teachers have met with the Superintendent every week for the study of educational principles and the psychology of teaching. Our teachers have worked without exception earnestly, faithfully and diligently. I commend them to your favorable consideration.
The instruction in Music and Drawing has been excellent in quality, spirit and purpose under the careful supervision of Misses Heard and Parker. In Music especially the work has improved, becoming more systematic, definite and tech- nical. In both subjects better results are now reached, we believe, than in previous years.
Arrangements have been made since the beginning of the current school year to give special and regular attention to what used to be called Rhetorical Exercises. The training which comes from speaking in public is, we believe, pecu- liarly valuable and eminently practical. Two debating clubs connected with the High School, though not immediately under the supervision of the School Committee or teachers, have become an excellent training class for the study of cur- rent topics and practice of oral and written speech.
Arrangements will soon be made for public visiting days, but we trust that parents and other citizens will not wait for such occasions to visit the schools. Every tax payer, cer- tainly every parent having children attending school, ought to care enough about the efforts which the young are mak- ing to train themselves for the world's work and for citizen- ship to look in upon the schools occasionally that they may know what is going on, and learn something about how the work is done. Otherwise, how can they fairly criticise the schools or the acts of those who manage them. We welcome fair, open and honest criticism. Yea, it ought to be offered
196
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
frankly and freely. It should never be received with re- sentment, for, if the purposes and plans of school adminis- tration are in general sound and wholesome, they will bear challenge and investigation and be improved by it.
In closing I desire to express my thanks to you, to the citizens and to the teachers for the cordial support and assistance I have received, without exception.
Respectfully submitted.
I. F. HALL, Superintendent.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
SCHOOLS.
Whole Number Registered.
Number of Different Pupils.
Number January 1, 1895.
Average Number for the year.
Average Daily Attendance
Per cent. of Attendance
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, Classes IX., X., XI., XII., XIII.
169
117
132
121
113
93
RUSSELL SCHOOL, Class IX., Discontinu'd June 30, '94 HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, Class VIII.
65
65
0
36
35-
94
53
2
52
20
19-
93
77
34
45
32
31-
94
114
70
45
56
53
94
92
49
49
43
41
93
66
$6
VI.,
2
39
5
33
13
12-
92
66
66
V.
97
51
41
46
44
93
66
IV., Division 1
92
52
35
39
36
92
50
49
37
40
37
91
83
43
43
37
35
93
98
59
54
50
47-
93
87
86
43
55
51
92
Kindergarten Class
44
41
41
15
14
92
CROSBY SCHOOL, Classes I. and II.
84
58
47
47
44
91
CUTTER SCHOOL, Classes VII. and VIII.
30
20
21
19
18
94
.. .
V. and VI.
.
78
42
47
41
39
94
66
I. and
II.
87
84
50
54
50
92
LOCKE SCHOOL, Classes VII. and VIII.
33
22
18
20
19
95
€6
66
V. and VI.
51
37
35
32
30
93
III. and IV.
60
44
45
40
38
93
.
II.
51
51
38
34
32
93
1,203
1,044
971
914
93
.
.
.
.
66
VII.
66
VI., Division 1
·
·
.
66
66
IV., III. .
II.
.
.
.
I.
.
.
.
·
101
84
53
43
41-
92
.
.
.
63
38
40
38
35
91
III. and IV.
.
.
.
I. and
.
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
197
·
.
66
Class III.
2
RUSSELL SCHOOL, Class VIII.
SUPPLEMENT A.
Manual Training Course.
SLOYD CARPENTRY AND WOOD TURNING AND CARVING.
See page 188.
Taken by the boys in Classes VIII, IX and X (English division).
Hours. Russell VIII, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, S to 9 A. M.
66 High VIII, Div. A, Tuesdays 9.20 to 11 A.M., Wednesdays, 11.15 A. M. to 1 P. M.
66 High VIII, Div. B, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9.20 to 11 A. M.
66 High IX and X, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11.15 A. M. to 1 P. M.
The Work is embodied at present in a series of eighty models. The arti- cles made are intended to introduce one exercise after another in the order of their simplicity, and are so arranged as to fit the daily development of the pupils' skill. They provide for something more than exercise or prac- tice work. They give the teacher an opportunity to teach the principles of carpentry while training his pupils in the proper use and care of tools. Furthermore, each object made is useful and beautiful enough to make pupils feel that they have produced something of real value.
I. The Knife is the first tool used. By it especially the hand, mind and eye are trained to work together. With it the pupils are taught the short straight cut, the oblique cut, the cross cut, the short oval cut, the long straight cut, etc. The use of the knife is followed by the use of the other Bench Tools. Each bench is provided with one Jack Plane, one Smooth- ing Plane, one Jointer, one Pair of Dividers, one Marking Gauge, one Try Square and one Rule (2 ft. ) without joint.
The First Nine Models are Glove Mender, Seed Planter, Round Flower Stick, Letter Opener, Square Flower Stick, Tool Handle, Key Label, Thread Winder, and Round Ruler. With these is developed the idea of squaring up and cutting to dimensions with knife plane, saw, file, etc. Boring is also taught in connection with these models.
The Shop Tools, consisting of six Back Saws, four Bow Saws, six Taper Saw Files, six Spoke Shaves, two sets of Finishing Chisels, two sets of Gouges, one Bench Axe, six Nail Hammers, four Bit Braces, two sets of Auger Bits, one dozen Pin Bits, two Draw Shaves, two Wood Scrapers, six Nail Sets, eight Screw Drivers, three Bevels, two Iron Clamps, six Brad Awls, six sets of Drawing Instruments, one Oil Stone, two Steel Squares and twelve Block Planes are kept in a large case near the benches.
II. In making the models from nine to twenty, consisting of Paper Knife, Hone, Brush and Tray, Pen Tray, Cutting Board, Flower Pot
199
SUPPLEMENT.
Stand, Scoop, Clothes Hanger, Dish Drainer, Towel Rack, and Sponge Rack, the pupils are trained in the use of the gouge, spoke shave, chisels, draw shave, etc.
III. The models from twenty to thirty are Jewel Box, Stirring Spoon, Tuble Mat, Coat Hanger, Flat Ruler, Bill File, Book Rack, Mail Box, Pulley Block and Knife Tray. They develop the idea of beveling with the chisel straight and convex beveling, jointing, dovetailing, gouging and mortising, oval beveling, etc.
IV. By the remaining models the Axe Handle, the Clothes Stick, the Square, Photograph Holder, Try Square, Silverware Box, Marking Gauge, Bracket, Comb Case, Card Basket, Table and Cabinet, the boys are taught long and convex planing, mortising, tenoning, and squaring, the use of the compass, saw, mitering, convex beveling, close and straight, mortising edge molding with chisel, etc.
V. For different kind of work, namely: advanced Cabinet work with Wood Carving, etc., six Turning Lathes are provided, run by an engine of fifteen horse-power. Each lathe is fitted with a number of gouges, chis- els, dividers and calipers. In this course the boys will be required to de- sign, make and finish Tool Holders, Tool Handles, Bric-a-Brac Stands, Dumb Bells, Indian Clubs, Book Shelves, Paper Racks, Easels, etc.
By systematic practice in making these objects the pupils learn the use of the lathe and its accompanying tools and the art of finishing in oils, shellac, varnishes or stains. Advanced Mechanical Drawing and Wood Carving are also taught in connection with the making of these models.
SUPPLEMENT B.
COURSE IN SEWING, FOR THE GIRLS OF CLASSES VIII and IX.
The course in sewing covers a period of two years, extending through the eighth and ninth classes. By beginning in the higher grammar grades and devoting three hours a week to the subject, as much can be accomplished in two years, as is usually done in five or six years with one hour lesson; thereby making a great saving of time.
The first five months are devoted to the practice of the different stitches, each stitch being preceded by a drill, for the holding of the cloth and the position of the fingers.
Practical talks are given with the lessons, and the scholars are taught to think as much as possible for themselves.
The stitches are first practiced on small pieces of cotton cloth. The pupils use colored thread to show the shape and size of the stitch and also the joinings. After the scholars have completed the course in practice work, they apply what they have learned to making garments.
The second year is devoted to dressmaking.
It was thought advisable for the ninth class to omit making a few of the garments, that they might complete the course for their grade.
An outline of the plan of work is as follows:
EIGHTH CLASS.
Basting, Backstitching, Overcasting on folded edges,
Overcasting on raw edges,
Turning and basting narrow hems,
Hemming,
Overhanding on folded edges,
Overhanding on selvedges, Running,
Turning and basting wide hems,
Darning tear on flannel with silk,
Gathering, stroking gathers and putting on band Plain fell, Patching on cotton cloth,
Darning on cashmere with silk,
French fell and straight fell,
Putting in gusset,
Cat-stitch, herring-bone and feather-stitching.
Buttonholes and sewing on buttons.
201
SUPPLEMENT.
Patching on calico, Stocking darning,
Darning on cashmere with ravellings,
Running tucks,
Hemstitching, Blind hemming,
Cutting and piecing bias bands.
Models. Aprons with and without gathers, a pillowslip, plain cotton and flannel skirt.
Drafting and making simple garments.
NINTH YEAR.
Learning H. L. Brown's system of dress cutting.
Taking measures. Planning, cutting and fitting a cotton waist. Plan- ning, cutting, fitting and making a cotton dress.
SUPPLEMENT C.
COURSE OF STUDY FOR CLASSES VIII AND IX.
See page 190.
Class VIII.
ARITHMETIC. Five recitations a week.
1. Review units of Long Measure with their relations; teach measuring distances, length, width, and height and depth. Review units of Liquid and Dry Measure and of Avoirdupois Weight with their relations. Review the units of Square Measure with their relations, and measuring the dimen - sions and finding the areas of squares and other rectangles. Review the units of solid measure and measuring the dimensions and finding the vol- umes of cubes and other rectangular solids. Teach carefully all kinds of plane figures. Teach the mensuration of straight lines, of angles and of arcs of circles.
2. Teach Percentage and its applications to Commission, simple Inter- terest, Profit and Loss, Partial Payments and Bank Discount.
3. Teach Business Forms and Business Processes.
4. Teach Compound Interest and the simplest principles of Ratio and Proportion.
5. Teach the mensuration of parallelograms, triangles, trapezoids and circles.
6. Review thoroughly Common and Decimal Fractions, drilling persist- ently with simple and small fractional parts used in solving problems that involve the units of money, measures, weights and time.
Give thorough drill in Mental Arithmetic.
Special attention should be given to the development of the power to reason.
Text Book, Bradbury's Practical Arithmetic.
GEOGRAPHY. Three recitations a week.
1. The Geographical and Political Divisions of the World.
2. Study of the Earth as a Globe. Simplest facts of Mathematical Geography. Simplest facts about Winds, Ocean Currents, etc.
3. Commerce. The Great Commercial Highways of the World, Ocean Routes, Inland Waterways, Railroad Postal Systems, the Telegraph.
4. Comparative study of the United States and the British Empire. Physical Regions, Natural Resources, Productions, Industries, Commerce, Government, Cities, etc.
203
SUPPLEMENT.
4. Comparative study of the German Empire and the Republic of France.
5. Russia, Spain, Brazil, Belgium, Italy, The Netherlands, Japan and China studied generally.
6. General study of Turkey, Switzerland, Norway and Sweden, Austria- Hungary, Portugal and other European Countries.
7. The States of South and Central America.
S. Commodities important to Commerce, Food Substances, Textile goods, Metals, Minerals, etc. Their location, transportation, etc.
Map drawing on printed Outlines. Sketch maps of each country studied . Make collections of specimens of products mentioned, and characteristic of the countries and places studied. Use photographs and pictures extensively.
Text Book, Tilden's Commercial Geography.
ENGLISH GRAMMAR .- THE STUDY OF EASY SENTENCES: (a) The sub- ject and the predicate. (b) Declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences. (c) The uses of words in forming sentences-pre- paratory to classifying words as parts of speech. (d) Nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions and interjections. (e) Adjective and adverbial phrases and clauses. (f) Prepositions. (g) Some study of inflections and (h) of the principles of syntax.
THE STUDY OF SIMPLE, COMPOUND, AND COMPLEX SENTENCES: (a) Analysis. (b) All the parts of speech, including their properties-special attention to be given to such changes of forms as indicate properties, and also to the uses of auxiliaries. (c) Principles of syntax illustrated by familiar examples. (d) Punctuation.
Text Book, Whitney and Lockwood's English Grammar.
HISTORY. Barnes' History.
1. Teach topically the Administrations in United States History includ- ing The War with England, The Mexican and Civil Wars.
Teach the causes and effects of each war carefully. Do not give mueh attention to the details of campaigns and battles.
2. Study carefully the Government of our country, its history, develop- ment and characteristics.
This includes a study of political parties.
3. Study carefully the Material development of the country and what. has been accomplished during the present century in Science, Art and Literature.
Review thoroughly the principal events and dates in American History by studying them in comparison with contemporaneous events in European History.
Text Books, Barnes' History of the United States.
Fiske's History of the United States.
Outlines of European History.
204
SUPPLEMENT.
READING.
1. At Sight.
Books of Travel or Biography. Descriptions, etc. See list of books pre- pared for Teachers.
2. Drill Reading.
Standard Selections from American authors: Lincoln, Lowell, Long- fellow, Holmes, Webster and Irving.
One or more of Shakspere's Plays and Selections from Burns, Dickens and Scott.
Make free and constant use of the Public Library for silent reading in connection with other lessons.
WRITING.
Teach form and shading.
Require neatness, legibility, rapidity and freedom of movement.
SPELLING. Teach thoroughly words that are used in the different branches of study, the words of practical life and words that the pupils use in letter-writing and composition. The examinations in every case will test, first of all, the pupil's ability to spell common words correctly and the habit of correct spelling.
Harrington's Speller is the prescribed text-book, and a definite amount of work in this book will be assigned.
SCIENCE AND MANUAL TRAINING. See outlines for Teachers.
Class IX.
I. ARITHMETIC. Two periods a week.
1. Counting Room Methods. Short processes of fundamental operations.
2. Thorough review of Percentage in its applications to Commercial life.
3. Thorough review of Interest and Correlative topics.
4. Averaging of Accounts.
ɔ̃. Partnership, Stocks and Brokerage.
6. Banking and the simple forms of Commercial Law.
7. Powers and Roots and their simplest application.
Text Book, Thomson's Commercial Arithmetic.
ALGEBRA. Three periods a week.
1. Algebraic Language. Its use and force.
2. Signs of quality and operation.
3. Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division of Algebraic Numbers.
4. Theorems of Development and Corresponding Cases in Factoring.
5. Least Common Multiples and Highest Common Factors of Algebraic Numbers.
6. Fractions.
Text Book, Bradbury's Algebra for Beginners.
205
SUPPLEMENT.
II. LATIN OR ENGLISH GRAMMAR (elective).
In Tuell and Fowler's First Latin Book to Chapter XXXIII.
Vocabulary of 300 or 400 words. First four declensions of Nouns, De- clension of Adjectives, Comparison of Adjectives (regular and irregular), Indicative mode, active and passive of verbs of the first and second conju- gations. Indicative mode of the irregular verb "esse." Some simple con- structions. Sentences translated from Latin into English, and from Eng- lish into Latin.
ENGLISH GRAMMAR. Text Book, Metcalf's English Grammar.
1. Language. 2. Sentences. 3. Parts of Speech. 4. Analysis and Pars- ing. 5. Infections and Cases. 6. Conjugations. 7. Syntax. 8. Word Building. 9. Derivations. 10. Panctuation.
III. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. Text Book, Appleton's Physical Geography.
Simple study of the earth as a planet, (laying a basis for the study of Astronomy).
Simple study of the atmosphere (laying a basis for the study of Meteor- ology ).
Simple study of the Interior of the Earth, its condition, history, etc. (laying a basis for the study of Geology).
Simple study of the drainage, soil and vegetation of the earth's surface (laying a basis for the study of Plant and Animal Life).
Simple study of Minerals and Metals.
Photographs, pictures, specimens and other apparatus should be used extensively in the teaching of every topic. Excursions should be taken occasionally and visits made to the Agassiz and other museums.
IV. LITERATURE. A comparative study of Whittier and Tennyson, Lowell and Emerson, Dickens and Thackeray, in connection with the social and political life of the Nineteenth Century.
The class have already studied carefully during the year 1894, Snowbound, The Passing of Arthur, The Barefoot Boy, The Princess, and some fifty other poems of Whittier and Tennyson.
V. MANUAL TRAINING. See Outline on page 198.
REPORT
OF THE HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE.
To the Town of Arlington :
The High School Building Committee report that they have performed the duty entrusted to them. The school- house was erected in substantial accordance with the plans submitted to and approved by the town, and the custody of the building was transferred to the School Committee in September, 1894.
The cost of the work done under the direction of the Building Committee was as follows :
For Construction of Building.
Appropriation by town, $64,600 00
Paid Frank W. Hodgdon, staking out building, $46 00
H. P. Cummings & Co., excavat-
ing and building foundation, 5,046 00
J. J. & T. F. Mack, main contract for masonry and woodwork, 46,847 74 Smith & Anthony Co., heating and ventilating, 5,953 48
Wm. Lumb & Co., plumbing, 1,855 53
Claflin & Kimball, wiring for elec- tric lights, 360 00
Peirce & Winn Co., coal, 757 12
Hartwell & Richardson, architects, 3,046 26
Edward C. Mack, janitor, 500 96
Wesley Robinson, cleaning, 47 70
Leonard & Ellis, oil for engine, 38 80
Amounts carried forward,
$64,499 59 $64,600 00
REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE. 207
Amounts brought forward, $64,499 59 $64,600 00
Incidentals as follows :
Paid Bradley & Knowles,
$18 45
W. I. Heald , 18 41
Smith & Winchester,
17 20
A. E. Rowe,
5 50
R. W. Le Baron,
5 00
Michael Reilly, 2 00
66 56
$64,566 15
Received of H. P. Cummings & Co., for work done on founda- tion, 100 00
$64,466 15
Balance unexpended,
133 85
$64,600 00 $64,600 00
For Grading Lot Around Building.
Appropriation by town,
$5,000 00
Paid J. M. Ellis, for blasting, $395 45
David Scanlon, labor, 644 13
Patrick H. Byron, labor and ma- terials, 3,470 91
Jesse Pattee estate, for wall,
100 00
Highway Dept., for concrete side- walk, 62 50
Henry S. Adams, engineering, 46 75
O. B. Marston, building fence, 75 50
Bowker Fertilizer Co., fertilizer,
16 80
Incidentals as follows :
Paid R. A. Welch, $4 00
C. S. Parker, 4 00
Amounts carried forward,
$8 00 $4,812 04 $5,000 00
-
208
REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE.
Amounts brought forward, $8 00 $4,812 04 $5,000 00
Paid L. C. Tyler, 2 00
Boston Herald, 1 75
11 75
$4,823 79
Received from sundry parties for mate- rial sold. 44 13
$4,779 66
Balance unexpended,
220 34
$5,000 00 $5,000 00
The above amounts have all been paid with the exception of $353.48 not yet due, included in the above sum of $5953.48 (bill of Smith and Anthony Co.) and of $95.45 due to J. M. Ellis and included in the above sum of $395.45. This amount of $95.45 is retained in the hands of the Com- mittee pending the settlement of a question between Messrs. Mack and Ellis, as to damage caused by blasting.
By the contract with the Smith and Anthony Co., it was required that the heating and ventilating apparatus should be fully approved by the State Inspectors of Public Build- ings. The report of the Inspectors is annexed.
Respectfully submitted.
JAMES P. PARMENTER, Chairman,
JOHN T. WHITE,
GEORGE D. MOORE,
CHARLES T. SCANNELL,
WALTER CROSBY,
GEORGE HILL,
FRANK W. HODGDON, Secretary.
209
REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE. .
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
OFFICE OF THE
CHIEF OF THE DISTRICT POLICE.
BOSTON, MASS., Feb. 2, 1895.
J. P. PARMENTER, EsQ.,
Chairman Building Committee of the Arlington High School .
DEAR SIR-I have the honor to transmit herewith, the report of the inspectors detailed to inspect the heating and ventilating apparatus in the High School in Arlington, Mass., as requested in your letter of date Jan. 26, 1895.
It will be seen by the reports of the inspectors, that you have obtained by the system adopted for heating and ventilating of said school building very excellent results.
I am very respectfully, RUFUS R. WADE, Chief Mass. Dist. Police.
RUFUS R. WADE, EsQ.,
Chief Inspector and Chief of Mass. District Police.
SIR-In accordance with your instructions given at the request of the Chairman of the new Arlington High School Building Committee I have, in company with Inspector John T. White, made a careful inspection of the ventilation of said building.
In the eight school rooms there are possible accommodations for 352 scholars. The supply of air in these rooms averaged 48.8 cubic feet per minute for each of the 352 scholars. The amount of air exhausted by the vent-ducts averaged 52 cubic feet per minute for each scholar that could be accommodated. The num- ber of pupils at present in the building is very much smaller than the number of seats. The amount of air supplied in the hall in the third story was 5473 cubic feet per minute, taken with the air ducts open into all the other rooms. With the ducts to the other rooms partly closed, the supply was 10,654 cubic feet per minute.
14
210
REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE.
Two tests of the purity of the air in the Master's room with forty pupils present, made at quarter past twelve o'clock, gave 4.9 and 5 parts of carbonic acid in 10,000 parts of air. The outside air containing 4 parts of carbonic acid in 10,000 of air, it will be seen that the inside air was nearly as pure as that . outside. The hallways and corridors were all warm and the air was first class. The sanitary closets were in first-class condition, well ventilated and no disagreeable odors could be found.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.