USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1871-1872 > Part 4
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Latin. - The class has given attention to the translation of easy Latin sentences, as illustrating the use of the paradigms. Roman history in the Latin Reader will be commenced in the spring term.
Algebra, also, will be continued, special attention being given to ratio and proportion.
Drawing. - During the last term a half-hour daily has been given to drawing, with excellent results, the teacher requiring the subject of the lesson to be drawn several times, and criticised, before allowing it to be placed in the drawing-book. Other members of the school have also been allowed to join the class in drawing.
14
REPORT OF THE
THIRD CLASS.
French. - This class last term finished Roman history, and substi- tuted French for Latin. Many are desirous of continuing the study of Latin before graduating. An opportunity will be afforded them for so doing.
The members of the class are unanimous in their enthusiasm re- specting the study of French, and I am induced to anticipate the hap- piest results.
The themes abound in historical and biographical references, the consideration of which affords much useful information, and serves to keep up a lively interest in the study.
Geometry. - This study was commenced the first term, and will be continued throughout the year. Aside from its practical utility, it affords an excellent discipline for the mind. Much encouragement has been given to pupils to originate demonstration. I have adhered to no particular mode of conducting the recitation in geometry, preferring to allow the pupils to derive whatever benefit might accrue from variety of methods. One method, which I have tried with most.grati- fying success, might be mentioned in this connection.
After some member of the class has stated the theorem to be demon- strated, the teacher then gives to the class a description of the geo- metrical figure to be used, as it exists in his mind, without any graphical representation on the blackboard. Different pupils are then called upon to take part in the demonstration. The ability of the pupils to . demonstrate accurately, either orally or in writing, as required by the teacher, is considered a criterion of the scholars' knowledge of the subject. By this method it is evident, 1st, that the pupil gains in power to express correctly his thought; 2d, that great concentration of mind is necessary on the part of the pupil to make a successful recitation.
The first term, this class concluded their study of physiology. Rheto- ric was commenced the second term.
SECOND CLASS.
French. - This class finished Part I. of the grammar last term, and commenced the French reader, which will be studied in connection with Part II. of the grammar. The class will be able to finish the reader without difficulty during the summer term, and will have made thorough preparation for the further consideration of this interesting study next year.
15
· SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Natural Philosophy. - In teaching this science, constant reference is made to the experience of the pupil, so far as it relates to every-day phenomena, thus encouraging in him habits of observation and reasoning.
When practicable, use is made of the knowledge of algebra and geometry acquired carlier in the course. This study is admirably adapted to give practice in inductive reasoning, by the proper and in- telligent use of the apparatus.
History. - In pursuing this branch, the pupils are required to pre- pare themselves on all points, geographical or otherwise, connected with the lesson. They are encouraged, also, to bring to the class any collateral information which may have valuable reference to the subject under consideration. Value is attached not so much to isolated facts as to the great central truths, the philosophy, of this very compre- hensive study.
Rhetoric. - This class has usually recitations in connection with the text-book. During portions of the first and second terms, the class had almost daily exercises in composition and description of objects, as pictures, &c., thereby accomplishing more thorough and better work than when attention is given to these subjects less frequently.
The study of Physiology was concluded the first term of the year, and that of Geometry the second.
FIRST CLASS.
Arithmetic and Book-keeping. - Scholars study arithmetic for several years before connecting themselves with the High School ; and it is a noticeable fact, that if pupils continue this branch immediately after entering the High School, there is a lack of interest which is not ob- servable when the subject is reviewed later in the course. In order' therefore, to secure the most desirable results, and to economize the time and labor of the pupil, it has been deemed advisable to defer the consideration of these important studies - arithmetic and book-keeping - until the senior year.
English Literature. - Attention has been paid to the biographies of Dickens, Tennyson, Longfellow, Scott, Irving, and Whittier. Selec- tions from these author's have been studied, and portions of them memorized. Considerable time has been devoted to writing abstracts, transcriptions, and essays. During the summer term special reference will be made to the excellent articles on the 'Theory of Beauty ' and ' Philosophy of Style,' as presented in the text-book, 'Hunt's Eng- lish Literature.'
16
REPORT OF THE
The interest already awakened in regard to the study of English literature induces the belief that the class will prosecute its studies in this direction after graduating from the High School, when preparation for the class-room will no longer be required, but exist only in the memory.
French. - The class has finished the reader, and begun 'Les Princes de l'Art.' This text-book furnishes an almost unlimited supply of topics for conversation and recitation in regard to the lives and works of the great masters of architecture, sculpture, and painting. In the use of this book, it is the design of the teacher to consider the origin, history, and use of these arts; to call the attention of the pupil to the influence exerted upon those nations and individuals that patronize and cultivate them.
The study of Astronomy was concluded last term.
Geology will be studied next term.
Besides the regular school-work, instruction out of school has been given to pupils in Latin, Greek, and chemistry."
The Committee will add in relation to the High School, that its annual examination occurred June 27. A large number of the friends of the school were present, filling the room to overflow- ing. The exercises were practical illustrations of the scholars, knowledge, and were of more than usual interest. The classes in chemistry and natural philosophy performed experiments with their new apparatus which indicated much familiarity with their studies. Water suspected of containing poisonous ingre- dients was analyzed, and the process fully explained.
A class of young ladies, over which Miss C. E. Hollis pre- sided, took part in a debate, which exhibited the elocutionary improvement of the pupils in a very attractive manner. The recitation on the history of the English language was well illus- trated by instructive facts, showing careful study and progress- ive work. The history of the graduating class, a well-written production by Miss Weston, referred to the fact that this class, the largest in the history of the school, originally consisted of twenty-two members. One-half of the number had fallen out by the way. They had received two additions from the class below, Miss Lizzie Clark and Miss Nellie Willcox, making the number of graduates thirteen.
Various pieces of music were sung by the pupils under the
17
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
direction of Prof. Carey. The excellence of their performance bore ample testimony to the excellent quality of the training the pupils have been receiving. Wendell Phillips once said, "There is a want of musical taste and cultivation among us. It will never be remedied till it becomes something more than a mere holiday affair. The people must grow up in it, in order to appre- ciate it, and make it a part of their life and character." There is much truth in these remarks, and we hope the attempt made to give it a prominent place in our schools, together with the success of the effort thus far, will meet with the approval and encouragement of our people.
GRADUATING CLASS. 1871.
FRANK E. APPLETON.
WILDER C. MOULTON.
WILLIE I. RUGGLES. ARTHUR W. TEMPLE.
LIZZIE A. BURRILL.
LIZZIE F. B. CLARK.
MARGARET F. CLARK.
M. LIZZIE DAY. HANNIE L. HILL.
SARAH L. STOODLEY.
Z. ABBIE WAKEFIELD.
SARAH A. WESTON. NELLIE G. WILLCOX.
The diplomas, by request of the Committee, were presented by Rev. Dr. Barrows, who accompanied the act by a short and felicitous address. Brief addresses were made by Rev. Mr. Willcox ; Hon. P. H. Sweetser, of Wakefield ; Dea. J. R. Mor- ton, of the School Committee ; and Joshua Clark, Esq.
The graduating class presented to the school the large engrav- ing, "Franklin at the Parisian Court ;" and the class of 1867 presented the fine chromo, " Mont Blanc."
HISTORICAL.
The High School was first established in this town in 1856. There was no prescribed course of study for several years, and no class graduated till 1863. The first graduates were Frederic
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REPORT OF THE
Bancroft, Lena A. Wakefield, Esther Emerson, Maria Parker. The graduates of 1864 were Sarah E. Pratt and Emma Prescott. The record of succeeding graduates may be found in previous reports. The whole, number of graduates is sixty. It would be interesting to know what number was connected with the school, for six months or more previous to 1863. The first principal of the school was Henry A. Littell, who remained till near the close of 1858. He was succeeded by Mr. Philip C. Porter. Mr. R. B. Clarke, now of Fitchburg, taught during the summer and fall terms in 1860, when Mr. L. B. Pillsbury was employed for the winter term. He remained in charge of the school till the close of the spring term in 1864. Mr. George L. Baxter taught for two terms, and Mr. Charles R. Brown was employed to succeed him. Mr. Brown remained here only a year. Mr. George W. Adams was employed in December, 1865, but resigned in three weeks. Mr. Edward H. Pcabody next succeeded, and remained till the close of the spring term in 1868. Mr. Cyrus Cole, the present teacher, was then selected for the position he still so acceptably fills.
The first assistant teacher in the High School, Miss Emeline P. Wakefield, was employed in 1865-66 ; Miss Ruth L. Pratt, 1866-67 ; Miss Mary H. Howes, 1867-68 ; Miss Josie Nelson and Mrs. C. A. Soule, 1868-69 ; Miss Rissic L. Hoyt, 1869-70 ; Miss Mary H. Howes, 1870-71. Miss Susie E. Wade has held this position for two terms, but now resigns.
RESIGNATIONS.
Several teachers, that have held honorable positions in our schools for a considerable period, have resigned during the year, to accept more remunerative or more attractive positions in other fields of labor, or in other departments of life. In this list are the names of Misses Sarah E. Austin, Mary H. Howes (now Mrs. Henry Robinson), Abbie M. Parker, M. Eva Webster, and Mary F. Wood (now Mrs. Geo. H. Dexter). We hope the fate of those who have become "Mrs." will not frighten away those who remain, or deter others from accepting positions here as teachers.
19
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SCHOOL-ROOMS.
At the commencement of the summer term, it was found that the rooms occupied by the village schools were filled beyond their capacity. To relieve these schools, it was finally decided by the Committee to send a portion of the pupils to the schools where some of them, at least, had formerly attended, and where, if the old district lines had not been abolished, they would still belong. This plan did not seem entirely satisfactory ; and the matter was brought before the town at the November meeting, hoping it would give the Committee specific instructions on the subject, or select a special committee to mature a satisfactory plan for properly distributing the pupils among the different schools. The town voted to refer the matter back to the School Committee. They suggest that one of the most feasible plans seems to be, to remove the Haverhill-street school-house to Pearl Street, or to some point in that vicinity, where it will still be accessible to most of the pupils that now attend it, and also convenient for a portion of the pupils that now attend the village schools. The pupils that could not well follow to the new locality could, with little difficulty, go to the Main-street School, where are good accommodations for a larger number than at present belong there. Such an arrangement will not increase the number of teachers, and will secure better school accommo- dations for a larger number of pupils than the present state of things affords. If this or a similar plan is not adopted, the con- stantly increasing number of children will soon compel the opening of another school in the village, requiring another teacher ; while the Haverhill-street School, in its present loca- tion, seems destined to die of exhaustion from want of scholars.
The High-School building now contains, in its three schools, nearly two hundred pupils. Some method of relief seems im- perative. Two methods present themselves for consideration. The raising of the roof of the house would furnish space for the construction of a large hall, and also smaller rooms for study and recitation, which would meet all the necessities of the case. Such a hall is very desirable for the public examinations and performances of the school. If there were no need of addi-
20
REPORT OF THE
tional room for the crowd of pupils below, a hall seems neces- sary for many occasions when it is desirable to bring the pupils together for practice of music, singing, and general exercises of various kinds. If the town does not feel warranted in assuming the necessary expense involved in such a modification of the High-School building, partial relief may be secured by again supplying Union Hall with seats and desks, and removing the grammar school thither. The hundred and fifty pupils remain- ing would have no surplus room, after making a few alterations to put the apartments in desirable condition.
SCHOOL TERMS.
Nearly all the schools have been kept for thirty-five weeks each during the past year. The High School has continued the required time - nine months. The Haverhill-street School has been less fortunate. After the abrupt close of its winter term, at the end of five weeks, it was deemed advisable to have Miss Harden return during the vacation and supply the deficiency, her acquaintance with the school, and her eminent success in teaching, promising better results than any other course. Fail- ing to secure a boarding-place, she withdrew her acceptance of the position, and the school was left to commence at the same time as the others, with the new year.
DRAWING.
The act of 1870 requires drawing to be included among the branches taught in the public schools. The lack of suitable teachers seemed a serious obstacle in the way of carrying out this require- ment. The emergency was met by employing Prof. Whitefield to give a course of lessons to the teachers of the different schools, who formed themselves into a class for this purpose. The plan was economical, and proved entirely satisfactory. The teachers proceeded immediately to teach the pupils the lessons they were themselves receiving; and the interest awakened in this department, and the results obtained, were highly gratifying.
21
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
OBITUARY.
It seems proper that reference be made to the decease of Mr. John Batchelder, which occurred in this town, July, 7, 1871. He was a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1823. After teaching for a brief period in Nantucket, he opened an academy in this town in 1827, in a building erected on the site of the present residence of Dr. F. F. Brown. The school prospered for many years ; and numbers of young men, from this and the surrounding towns, were here fitted for college. Mr. Batchelder relinquished the school in 1843 to Mr. Wait, who soon closed it. He served the town with great fidelity as one of the School Committee for thirty years, commencing in 1828, and continuing nearly every year till 1863. He also served for some years on the Board of Selectmen, and once represented the town in the legislature. He was a quiet, unobtrusive man, a good citizen, and thoroughly honest in all his dealings. No person has served the town so long in behalf of its educational interests, and none more faithfully. He attained the age of 80 years, 2 months and 12 days.
APPROPRIATIONS.
Reference to the Report of the Selectmen will show that we have exceeded the amount of apropriations for schools by the amount of $250. The appropriation by the town for each of the last two years has been $7,000. We have been obliged, during the past year, in order to retain teachers that we could not spare without serious detriment, to offer an increase of salary that we shall be obliged to continue. The loss of a good teacher, we have found to our cost, is often the loss of the wages paid to a successor, and of the time of the pupils for sev- eral terms, - perhaps for a year, - to say nothing of the demor- alization of the school before we can find a successor who can fill the vacancy, and regain the confidence and control of the school. It is often not the fault of the teacher who succeeds, but of human nature itself. Confidence is still a plant of slow growth. It often requires a term for " skirmishing " between a
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REPORT OF THE
new teacher and the pupils before they get the measure of each other; another term for the development of confidence and mutual respect ; and perhaps still another to establish that bond' of love and sympathy between each that perfects the school of which the pupils are the living members - controlled, moved, inspired, by the teacher, who is now become the soul, the living spirit, of the live body.
Our higher-grade schools are acknowledged to be among the best in the State. They are exerting an elevating influence upon the lower schools. It is our desire to make these equally good. In order to carry on our work satisfactorily, and, as we believe, for the best interests of the town, we would respectfully suggest that the town appropriate for schools for the current year the sum of eight thousand dollars.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The terms of Messrs. Morton and MeIntire expire this spring, ' and a vacancy exists in consequence of the resignation of Dr. Hunt. These vacancies are to be filled at the approaching annual meeting.
Respectfully submitted.
HIRAM BARRUS, S. E. PARKER, WM. J. WIGHTMAN, School Committee. C. B. MCINTIRE, J. R. MORTON,
READING, March 20, 1872.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ATTENDANCE.
SCHOOLS.
Number of Scholars.
Average Attendance.
Ist term
46
39++
LOWER PRIMARY
2d
70
57
3d
66
.
62
46
1st term
48
40
UPPER PRIMARY
2d
52
46
3d
53
44
Ist term
50
45
LOWER MEDIUM
2dl
45
38
48
41
1st term
57
52
UPPER MEDIUM
2d
49
44
3d
66
.
47
42
GRAMMAR
1st term 2d 3d
52
48
1st term
56
52
PREPARATORY
2d
56
51
3d
58
53
1st term
66
65
HIGH
2d
90
89
3d
89
.
87+
Ist term
24
22
WOBURN ST. GRAMMAR
2d
21
3d
23
.
22
Ist term
28
25
WOBURN ST. PRIMARY
2d
66
23
20
3d
21
18
Ist term
23
21
WALNUT ST. GRAMMAR
2d
27
26
3d
27
.
25
1st term
29
26
WALNUT ST. PRIMARY
2d
24
21
3d
66
28
24
1st term
20
17
LOWELL STREET
2d
18
3d
66
22
17-
Ist term
23
22+
MAIN STREET
2d
21
20
3d
22
.
21-
Ist term
17
14
HAVERHILL STREET
2d
66
19
15
3d
66
.
26
16
·
47
42
47
44
23
.
21
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