USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1895 > Part 4
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Much more systematic and protracted study of spelling has been required by all the teachers, with results of better spelling, but still very imperfect. Merrill's Word and Sentence Book has been introduced as an aid. The spelling of words found in the daily lesson is still required. Frequent reviews of all the words learned are given and have been found beneficial. Oral spelling and the continued drill in phonics should be given but as a means for learning the written form. There are few occasions in life for anything other than the written form in spelling. For this two things must be emphasized : the visual recognition of the form must be correct, and the muscular movements to produce the right form must be automatic as possible. Hence copying and frequent composition is valuable and has been used. One of the necessary results of all sight-reading in our schools three years ago was poor spelling, because the pupils were not given sufficient time to become familiar with the written appearance of the new words. The dictionary is used much more frequently than formerly and in all grades above the fourth.
There has been improvement also in writing, especially
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marked in the lower grades. In the higher the same copy books are used.
In arithmetic great progress has been made in all the schools. Sheldon's Complete Arithmetic is still retained in the Grammar schools, but in the Intermediates and Primaries Prince's Arithmetic by Grades has been introduced, much to the teachers' satisfaction and the pupils' benefit. In all the grades mental work has been daily required. That clerk or business man is at a great disadvantage who needs paper and pencil for every calculation. In the Grammar grades daily rapid drill in the simplest operation are given with marked improvement in the pupils' power to add and substract correctly. In business the adding of long columns of figures rapidly and correctly the first time is far more valuable than cube-root or proportion. Bookkeeping is now studied the ninth year and not resumed in the High School. The plan of studying algebra the ninth year has been adopted and will be introduced in the near future. In the lower grades the pupils are found very deficient in number combination, and we have required constant drill on the tables. Ofttimes the end of a rule is defeated by a too literal interpretation. Thoughtful drill is still the best way of fixing the combina- tions. The trouble is not in learning or reciting the tables, but in learning and reciting them without thought. To do away with all recitation of the tables is not the remedy, but to do away with their thoughtless and aimless recitation. To require the pupil to recite such parts of the tables in such a way that he must constantly think of what he is doing is now asked. There have been not only frequent but continuous reviews to keep in practice all that has been learned. Throughout this principle has been followed by constant drill on the fundamen- tal operations to so perfectly master the smaller number combi- nations that when occasion arises to nse the larger the pupil may do it by himself; to remove technicalities and lead the pupil at first by imitation to become familiar with the advanced operations without their explanation until he shows that his mind is ready for such an explanation by asking for it.
In language and grammar the work during a large part of
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the year has been similar to that of last year. Southworth & Goddard's Language Lessons has been introduced in the Intermediates. The text-book in use in the higher grades is not the best. The end of such studies is not only analysis, but the power to compose, and hence frequent compositions are required.
In geography and science, or nature study, we are as a whole very deficient. The old method of studying geography had been given up some time ago and parts of the newer and better adopted, but so poorly in many cases that the results are discouraging.
Geography is a science only when the physical features are made the basis of the social and political. For this study we need more text-books, more and better apparatus, but, most of all, more extended and sympathetic study by the teachers. Pupils and teachers need not only to form clear ideas of the phenomena surrounding them, but type-ideas of the things which characterize other localities and of which they need to form correct ideas without being able to see them. Observations should be made of the agencies pro- ducing surface changes-such as winds, rains, floods, freez- ing, thawing, cultivation, temporary streams following heavy rains, water courses, climate and all its causes, also the heavenly bodies. As a step towards the study of the distri- bution of plants and animals, the kinds of soil, their relation and causes must be observed. Excursions for special observa- tion, formally and informally, should be encouraged. The location of the town, its roads, railways, industries, govern- ment and history are all worthy objects of study, and clear conception of these are necessary to understand the complex social and political relation of mankind.
For science work the course, followed in the model department of Bridgewater Normal School, has been intro- duced, and, by vote of the committee, at least thirty minutes a week has been devoted to that study. That the vote was wise I am fully convinced, but the results are far from satisfactory. The reason for this small degree of success has been because the work arranged has not been systemati-
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cally followed ; the teachers as a class are not especially inter- ested in the study, and therefore are not fully prepared to teach. Some have even regarded it as a burden added to their already heavy load. In the normal child we find that curiosity is the most noticeable characteristic, and if rightly directed will lead him to his most valuable acquisition. But, alas ! how little do the pupils show in the class room ! How much out of doors, where nature speaks to him at every hand ! The secret of bud. leaf, flower and fruit; the mystery of meadow, wood and hillside; the message of the brook and river, the knowledge of bird and animals. can all be his in the school room. He will take it gladly if we are ready and prepared to give. Instead, the abstract is required before the power of abstraction has been developed in the child's mind. Primary knowledge must always be through the senses. The surest road to the child's mind is to give his hands something to do. And by the right study of nature the child is led to observe carefully, think clearly, to talk simply and correctly and to love the good and beautiful. The restless forces of nature impart a new knowledge of facts to the child. He thus becomes conscious to some degree of the law and order in her workings, and through the creation learns of the Crea- tor. The other studies are no longer meaningless, and his quickened interest is easily transferred to the so-called more valuable lessons.
History heretofore has been taught only in the highest grades. Now the fact of history and the biographies of the good and great men are required in all the lower forms and the scientifie study of these facts in the eighth and ninth.
Systematic instruction in hygiene and temperance is given, and in morals and good manners whenever the occa- sion arises.
The reports of the special teachers in music and drawing are added below. Both teachers are giving faithful service and co-operate most heartily in plans to benefit the whole school work.
To remove all indefiniteness of what is to be studied and what not, to unify and systematize the grades, a course of
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study compiled from the very best sources has been adopted. printed and is now in use.
Teachers' meetings have been held once in three weeks throughout the year, at which. in addition to special instruc- tion by the teachers of music and drawing, discussion of ways and means of teaching, and the theory of education has been carried on by the Superintendent and others. At the end of each term an experience meeting is summoned, when each teacher tells her struggles, triumphs and plans for the future.
The plan of having the janitors use their spare hours in repairing the school property renders the condition of our buildings much better, especially the Horace Mann, and at considerable saving in expense. Floors and windows are often washed. The temperature of the rooms is kept as uniform as possible with a constant supply of fresh air. Neatness and cleanliness is required from all the pupils, for soiled hands are more destructive to the books and more liable to convey disease germs.
It would be wise to discard the use of slates entirely from the school. The reasons are, a light gray mark upon a slightly darker gray surface is trying to the eyesight ; the re- sistance of a hard pencil upon a hard slate is tiring to the muscles and fosters incorrect positions ; the use of slate, pencil and sponge is uncleanly and leads to uncleanly habits.
Our text-books are in good condition. It has been the constant aim of teachers and Superintendent to so use the books that they may receive the least harm. Yet many of the books are old and ought to be replaced by others, if even of the same edition. In many cities where there are schools. of mixed classes old text-books are burned to destroy all possible disease germs.
In purchasing supplies your Superintendent has followed the plan of submitting the required list to two or three houses, and then ordering from the one giving the best prices, con- sidering the quality of the goods. All unused text-books that had a market value have been sold ; others have been sold as waste paper. Thus the town has been saved many dollars.
Much time and care have been spent to comply fully with the laws governing labor certificates.
The South Franklin school has been closed and the pupils transported to the center. The advantages of transportation are many-a slight saving of expense in fuel, janitor, repairs and better instruction.
The movement to use our holidays for a higher end resulted last February in the joint celebration of Washington's Birthday by the schools. under the auspices of the G. A. R. The proceeds were invested in portraits of Washington to adorn our school rooms, and in the addition of over sixty volumes to our High School Library.
The east building on Nason street has been closed ; the west one repaired and occupied.
The change in our corps of teachers has been as follows : Miss Isabelle M. Reilly, appointed to the seventh grade ; Miss Gertrude Bly, to her former position in the sixth ; Miss Susan Senter, to the fourth and fifth in Intermediate No. 1; Mrs. Alice Duprez, to the Populatic ; Miss Lucy Tower. to City Mills. At the end of the winter term Miss Nellie Cleary resigned her position in Primary No. 5 to accept a more desirable position. Miss Tower was at once promoted to it. This promotion of Miss Senter and Miss Tower from the districts to the center was just, and the results have proved the wisdom of the change. Miss Sara E. Pollard. a graduate of both the Worcester High and Normal schools, is at present teaching in City Mills. I wish here to commend the choice of Miss Hattie Gay, for years a faithful and success- ful teacher, who asked leave of absence for one year to study at Bridgewater Normal.
The teachers' profession is becoming year by year more difficult. More and more is asked of us in character, in knowledge, in training and insight into child nature. Teach- ing must be the first duty of the teacher, and every other call must be subordinated to its mandates. Thoughtless imitation of some master is also injurious. We must, in truth, "prove all things and hold fast to the good."
An eminent English scholar, in criticising Harvard
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College, writes: "What is needed at Harvard is a better preparation on the part of the applicants for admission, and that the classmen-that is, those who graduate with distinc- tion- should be vigorously separated from the passmen- those who simply get through." President Harper of Chicago University, sounds the same note of warning, when saying the present system of certificate for entrance to college is a failure. The professors at Amherst condemn the system. Williams has revoked the privilege from one of our leading preparatory schools. One noted academy of Massachusetts, refuses its graduate any certificate, claiming only those who are not prepared fear examinations. Our High School can be greatly benefited by a more rigorous examination both for entrance and graduations. We cannot turn out finished pro- ducts without good material. One scholar unprepared harms and retards in some measure all the others. Pupils should early feel, that all they learn may be called for, and by frequent reviews and examinations become accustomed to stand the strain of a test.
THIE HORACE MANN HIGH SCHOOL.
It is very hard to give an impartial criticism of the grades in which so much of my time and effort is spent. The most important change has been to one session, from 8:30 to 1. Music occurring daily for twenty minutes after the devotional exercises, and drawing twice a week for the last half hour, lessens the time taken from the duties of supervising. Six classes, however, daily recite to the principal, instead of three and four as last year. The recitation periods also are longer. Great praise is due to the hearty and efficient co- operation of the two assistants in the High School. It has been our desire to raise continually the standard and increase the efficiency of the school. We believe that is being done. The amount of work is nearly double that of a year ago, while there has been a corresponding increase in thorough- ness of study and in power of application. The end and ideal, nevertheless, is far from achieved. Many scholars have yet to learn that it is a part of life's great discipline to do the disa-
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greeble, to overcome obstacles, that it is the mastery of resist- ance that gives strength.
The function of a High School is not completed when the graduates receive their diplomas. It should have met and treated the great questions of the day in a manner that will awaken desire for further study.
And not only should it fit for college and technical schools, but for life, by developing to the full these three primal essentials of good citizenship: intelligence, interest and independence.
Respectfully submitted, E. D. DANIELS. A. M.
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SCHOOL STATISTICS -- JANUARY 26, 1894 TO JANUARY 31, 1895
SCHOOL.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
Whole
Enrolled.
Average
Number of Pupils
belonging.
Attendance. Average Daily
Per cent. of
Attendance.
Number of
Tardinesses.
Number of
Visitors.
High
E. D. Daniels.
69
61.70
58.44
955
27
29
60
Grace C. Whiting.
66
Cora B. Goodwin
lligh Gram.
1 Frances E. King.
32
26.78
25.81
96
17
67
..
16
Mamic O. Sawyer.
37
40.72
37.53
92
47
18
Sub-Gram.
1
¿ Isabelle M. Reilly
46
38.53'
36.51
9.
31
64
§ Sylvia L. Sawyer .. ¿ Gertrude Bly ..
46
37.55| 34.69
92
34
32
Intermediate
1
( Isabelle M. Reilly ¿ Susan L. Senter.
44
41.22
38.94
96
37
38
66
2 Julia G. Stockbridge
47
39.66
36.57
92
115
41
Primary
1 Rebecca Dunning
36
21.04
1S.74
89
73
65
2 Mary Linton.
50
36.65
31.47
86
19
133
16
3 Annie B. Bright.
48
34.00
31.32
92
14
67
66
5
¿ Lucy E. Tower
61
37.52
33.42
89
31
30
City Mills
Hattie M. Gay. Lucy E. Tower. ( Sara E. Pollard.
26
19.63
17.68
90
92
23
North West.
Mrs. Lizzie D. Rice.
45
27.70
23.56
85
69
15
Populatic.
¿ Mrs. Alice Duprez
29
18.13
16.19
89
45
South Franklin ..
May Poor
22
20.80|
15.77
76
0
2.5
Unionville.
Mrs. M.L. DeSorgher
37
22.93
21.62
94
4
34
Totals for 1894
736
560.17 510.52
90.4
782
747
Totals for 1893
938
660.80 559.S1 90.3
1339
630
Totals for 1892
883
752.2
681.7
90.6
2194
1020
Totals for 1891.
746.9
683.3
91.5
2016
4 Emily T. Morse
35.61
32.26
90
117
21
( Nellie J. Cleary
S Susan L. Senter.
Number of visits made by the Superintendent in school hours 162.
( Gertrude Bly.
Number of Pupils
S-1
PROGRAMME OF THE COMMENCEMENT EXER- CISES, CLASS OF '94, JUNE 22, 1894.
1. Song-"The Song of the Skylark," Mendelssohn
Schools. Prayer-Rev. Dwight M. Hodge.
2. Salutatory-"'Dreamland by Daylight." Clara A. Darling.
3. Essay-"The Newspapers of To-day." *Royal T. Johnson.
4. Song-"These Moments En'rancing," Schools. L'Elisire d' Amore
5. Oration-"The Soldiers of Ireland and America." Timothy S. Callahan.
6. Recitation-"Sandy McDonald's Signal." Mary McGroary.
7. Class Oracles. Leader, Timothy S. Callahan.
S. Recitation and Solo-"The Brook," Tennyson Helen E. Richardson, *Eunice L. Crocker.
9. Song-"The Night is Advancing." Schools.
Turke in Italien
10. Oration-"Tennyson's Ideal Manhood." tJohn C. Cosseboom.
11. Valedictory-"Men of Grit." Alice G. Corbett.
Presentation of Diplomas and Certificates, by Dr. E. C. Abbott.
12. Song -. "Joy. Joy, Freedom To-day." The Gypsy's Warning
Schools.
Benediction-Rev. Dwight M. Hodge.
One-half of the Class of '94 is studying to fit for business or a professional career. Miss Alice Corbett is at Bridge- water Normal, Miss Mary McGroary at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, Providence : Royal T. Johnson at the Rhode Island State School of Design, Miss Helen Richard- son at the Walpole Training School.
*Partial course.
t Partial course and partial diploma.
. 8;
TRUANT OFFICER'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
I have had twenty-four cases reported of children absent from school. I found but a very few of them playing truant. but staying at home with the consent of their parents.
Respectfully submitted,
SILAS W. NICKERSON. Truant Officer.
MUSIC TEACHER'S REPORT.
The Director of Music in the Franklin public schools, presents the following suggestions :
The study of music has been continued throughout the year with unvarying success, giving evidence of results in the higher grades of greater facility in sight reading and general chorus work. It will be understood that the graduating class from the High School cannot have a fixed standard of ability in reading or singing-especially the latter-owing to the lack of good voices. During the present year it is gratifying to the Director to find a higher grade of voices, accompanied by increased zeal and interest. For this year's work there has been a gratifying increase in tenors and therefore a better representation and balance of parts. Various suggestions have occurred to the director to stimulate the work in each class. Among them the colors red, white, blue and yellow,
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to designate the grade of the lesson. Red for a fair lesson. white for a medium, blue for excellent and yellow for the highest grade of work. Of the latter there have been a few pleasant examples. I should be glad if there might be added for supplementary work in the primary schools, the first book of the Cecillian Series ; would also ask for one metronome hook for each room in order to render the practice of time more efficient. Examinations have been frequently made in the different directions and individual work has been brought into constant activity, so that the natural hesitation in such cases is fast disappearing. Much credit is due the teachers for their willing and faithful work, in which I see a decided gain over past years.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. LIZZIE TREEN HOSMER. January 28th, 1895.
DRAWING TEACHER'S REPORT.
The work of the present year in drawing is in advance of that previously done, the children in all grades, with the exception of the first primary year, having profited by the work of the past two years. They not only draw with greater facility, but have also a clearer comprehension of the various type forms and of the knowledge included under the heads of design and construction. The teachers do their work faith- fully and well, and it is only for the few indifferent pupils who having eyes, see not, and ears, hear not, that regret can be felt. Color has been introduced by means of colored paper in all the lower grades, while the senior class of the High School have given satisfactory results in their light and shade
studies in charcoal from models. They have been prepared for some time past to go farther in this work, but have been unable to from lack of proper materials. It is my earnest desire that means may be forthcoming by which casts of his- toric ornament and a few good busts may be purchased. They would be of lasting value and of comparatively trifling cost, serving not only to lend interest and charm to the draw- ing lessons, but to awaken, to direct, and to cultivate the love of beauty, latent in the heart of every pupil. This education of the æsthetic sense is a potent factor in the development of children, tending to give them a broader and more compre- hensive outlook upon the loveliness of nature around them.
Aside from its educational aspect, drawing is of practical value, opening paths to the occupations of designing, archi- tecture and illustrating, and is of service in almost every trade and profession, training as it does. the eye to see and the hand to execute.
LILLIAN TRASK HARLOW, Supervisor of Drawing.
SS
EXTRACT FROM PUBLIC STATUTES.
CHAPTER 188 .- An act relating to school attendance and truancy.
Section 1. Every person having under his control a child between the ages of eight and fourteen years, and, in cities and towns where industrial training is taught between the ages of eight and fifteen years, shall annually cause such child to attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides, for at least thirty weeks if the schools are kept open that length of time, with an allowance of two weeks' time for absences not excused by the superintendent of schools or the school committee : such period of attendance shall begin within the first month of the fall term of school, and for each five days of absence of any such child thereafter, in excess of the above allowance, before the completion of the required annual attendance of thirty weeks, the person having such child under his control shall, upon the complaint of the school committee or any truant officer, forfeit to the use of the public schools of such city or town a sum not exceeding twenty dollars; but if such child has attended for a like period of time a private day school approved by the school committee of such city or town, or if such child has been otherwise in- structed for a like period of time in the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools, or has already acquired the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools, or if his physical or mental condition is such as to render such attendance inexpedient or impracticable, such penalty shall not be incurred.
Section 2. (This repeals everything inconsistent with Section 1.)
FRANKLIN TOWN RECORDS
FOR THE YEAR 1894.
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
MARCH 5TH, 1894.
NORFOLK, SS.
To cither of the Constables of the Town of Franklin.
GREETING :
You are hereby required, in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to notify and warn the qualified voters of the town of Franklin to assemble in their Town Hall on Monday, the fifth day of March, A. D). 1894, at 8 o'clock in the forenoon. then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
ARTICLE 1. To choose by ballot a Moderator to preside over said meeting.
ART. 2. To vote by ballot "Yes" or "No" in answer to the ques- tion, "Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town ?'
ART. 3. To choose by ballot the following named town officers for the terin of one year, viz : Three Selectmen, a Town Treasurer, a Town Clerk, an Auditor, three Assessors of Taxes, three Overseers of the Poor. a Collector of Taxes, three Constables, three members of the Board of Health and two School Committee for three years, three Fence Viewers and three Field Drivers.
ART. 4. To choose all other necessary town officers for the year ensuing.
ART. 5. To see in what way and manner the town will collect its taxes the current year.
ART. 6. To hear a report of the town officers and act thereon.
ART. 7. To see what action the town will take relative to a pound.
ART. 8. To vote a suitable number of names of persons into the jury box for the year ensuing.
ART. 9. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer, under the direction of the Selectinen, to borrow money in anticipation of taxes for the current year.
ART. 10. To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors in the town for the current year.
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ART. 11. To see what sums of money the town will raise and appropriate for the repairs of roads, bridges and sidewalks; for the support of schools, repairs of school buildings, school books and sup- plies and miscellaneous school expenses ; for the support of the poor ; for the support of the Fire Department; for water supply; for the payment of town officers; payment of town debt and interest; abate- ment and collection of taxes; street lights ; printing and stationery : suppression of illegal liquor traffic; payment of police; State and military aid ; support of the library of the Franklin Library Associa- tion ; decoration of soldiers' graves and miscellaneous town expenses.
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