USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1873-1874 > Part 4
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WOBURN STREET PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISS LILLIE F. LORING, TEACHER.
" My school has been quite small this term, and I have been able to give more time to each pupil, and think they have made consider- able improvement in their studies. The scholars seem interested in music, and sing quite well for such small children."
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REPORT OF
WOBURN STREET GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
MISS HELEN M. CLARK, TEACHER.
" We have been devoting especial attention to reading the last term, and think that the school is started in the way to succeed. Our idea has been to master the difficult words before recitation. giving time for all to read the lesson through just before reciting, We have been learning to define by the prefixes and suffixes, as well as by reference to the dictionary. We have sought to understand the lessons assigned, learning about the characters, places, &c., given.
" In spelling, we have chosen lessons in the Word-Book, suggested by some other lessons. If we read about a ship, we learned to spell and define the parts of a ship; returning to the regular course of lessons when no particular subject was suggested.
"Our arithmetic has been taken from real, every-day life, as much as possible, using the text-book for direction, and then making the rules practical. Many of the pupils seem interested in their work. We have had examples from the board to illustrate the principles, till the pupils had secured them.
" In geography, we have had some very good map-drawing, and have sought to obtain incidents from other sources. The pupils seem to like learning facts about the lakes, rivers, &c., not contained in the text-book.
" We have tried to find the reasons why in our grammar, and be able to speak correctly as well as parse. We have paid considerable attention to declension and conjugation, in order to fix the cases and tenses, and know where to find them, and how.
" In writing, we have used one, No. 4, for the whole school, paying particular attention to the form, slant, and height of the letters, and position in writing. Many of the pupils have been very careful, and have advanced.
" The day for our music lesson is awaited quite impatiently, and the pupils never object to the time devoted. It is a real treat, and they enjoy every moment.
" Our school have been in the habit of bringing any question from outside of books and regular school work for the few minutes given after close study. Anything which has been observed and not under- stood, has been talked about familiarly and freely. The scholars enjoy these general exercises, and some who forget other things remember these.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
" We have alternated mental arithmetic with some study, and the pupils have taken hold of it well.
" We have sought to set the will of the boys and girls, with their overflow of life, in the right direction, and have them do right for right's sake. The aim of the teacher has been to help the pupils control themselves. We hope for success in this direction."
Miss Clark took charge of this school last September, and is doing an excellent work .- COMMITTEE.
READING HIGH SCHOOL.
CYRUS A COLE, PRINCIPAL. (Miss MARTHA KEITH, Assistant.)
"Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the School Committee,-
I beg leave to submit the following Report :-
According to the present organization of the High School, there are two classes : the first, or senior class, comprising those pupils who will have completed a four years' course of study by the close of another term; and the second class, consisting of two sections-one of these, division A, at the end of the summer term, will have been in the High School three years ; the other, division B, in another term will have been connected with the school two years.
When the English course of study was changed from four years to three years, it was apprehended that some perplexity might arise in the satisfactory arrangement of classes and studies. An experience of two years has demonstrated that this apprehension was well founded. To avoid the necessity of four daily recitations by each section, it was deemed advisable to postpone the complete consideration of natural philosophy by division A, and chemistry by division B, until a later term in the course. It is believed that, after the summer term, diffi- culties of this kind will no longer arise.
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REPORT OF
Languages .- During the past two terms, the senior class has been making excellent progress in the study of English litera- ture. Frequent essays, abstracts, and examinations have afforded most material aid in securing good results. This class read last summer " Télémaque par Fénélon," and in the fall term " Les Princes de l'Art." German was then commenced as an optional study. Thus far the class has become thoroughly familiar with the paradigms, having prepared daily written exercises designed to illustrate grammatical principles. Divi- sions A and B will have finished in about eight weeks the Elementary French Reader, already begun.
Spelling .- It is to be regretted that so much time is devoted to spelling, during school life, with such comparatively poor results. Daily attention has been given to this subject by all the members of the High School.
Mathematics .- Book-keeping. Division A will devote an- other term to this subject. Division B, having completed the course in Geometry, will commence Book-keeping in April. As no student can derive any great advantage from a course in book-keeping until he understands arithmetic, English compo. sition and spelling, special attention will be given next term to commercial arithmetic, and letter writing by the classes pursu- ing this very important branch of study.
Geometry .- The experience of another year has served to confirm the opinion expressed in former reports in regard to geometry, a study which is valuable, not only on account of the utility of its truths, but also for the mental discipline which it affords. It is purposed to give weekly exercises, next term, having particular reference to some of the practical applications of this science.
Drawing .- This study is most admirably adapted to the skilful training of the eye and hand, and hence should no longer be regarded as merely an ornamental branch.
Several pupils commenced mechanical drawing last term, as an optional study in connection with geometry. " It is calcul- ated that the productive efficiency of every machine-shop would be increased thirty-three per cent if every journeyman could
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
read any common working-drawing and work by it." The principle enunciated in this statement merits the consideration of all interested in the cause of education.
SPECIAL STUDIES.
German .- Members of the graduating class of '73 have con- tinued their study of German during the fall and winter terms. They will have weekly recitations during the spring term, reading selections from Lessing and Schiller.
Latin .- Members of the present senior class desiring it, have been pursuing their Latin studies in addition to the regular school work. They will begin Virgil's Æncid at the com- mencement of next term.
Chemistry .- Did space permit, it might be profitable to make extended reference to the value of this science in relation to the other physical sciences and the arts. From eight to ten hours per week have been devoted to laboratory practice, aside from school time. This work has been optional, and the most encouraging results have been secured. The subjects suggested in the first half of Elliot & Storer's Elementary Manual have been experimentally studied ; also, the first twenty-one sections of the Chemical Qualitative Analysis, by the same authors. During the next term the class will be able to consider very conveniently the remaining topics in both these text-books."
The annual examination of the High School occurred June 6th, at the school room, and continued during the forenoon. The graduating exercises took place in Lyceum Hall in the afternoon.
The class of 1873 consisted of
MORTON BARROWS, EMMA F. EAMES, NELLIE MINOT, MARY E. NICHOLS, ANNIE B. PARKER,
FLORENCE PARKER, ADA L. SAFFORD, ELLA F. WAKEFIELD, IDA R. WHITTIER.
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REPORT OF
Diplomas were presented in a happy manner by Rev. W. A. Thompson. Miss Ada L. Safford gave the history of the graduating class in a most satisfactory composition. The pre- dictions for the class, by Mr. Morton Barrows, gave life and humor to the exercises, and his admirable production was well received.
The valedictory, by Miss Emma F. Eames, won encomiums from all who heard it, and she well deserved the hearty thanks her class gave her.
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC.
PROF. HENRY G. CARY, PRINCIPAL.
"According to request, I send you a statement of the work done in the schools during the past year, in the Department of Music. Since the last report, the study of music has been introduced into all the schools. This is a wise step, as there is no reason why the study of music as a science should not begin with the youngest pupils.
" I am sure that those who have visited the Primary Schools during the music lesson are convinced that young children can learn to read music as easily as their primers, if it is presented properly. My work has been a very pleasant one. The teachers in all the schools have heartily sustained me, and the pupils have seemed to enjoy the music hour. My profession gives me a good opportunity to judge, and I think that Reading schools stand in the front rank in most respects, in comparison with other schools in the vicinity of Boston. The exception is this : pupils are not required to sing unless they feel like it. Although instances where all the pupils of a school do not sing are rare, still, the fact that music is not treated as any other study, is a serious difficulty in the music teacher's path. Be- sides the regular practice of singing, I have given all the schools, except the lower Primary, and some of those in remote
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
districts, a printed examination every month. These are so graded that pupils who pass them correctly can sing in any key when they enter the upper medium classes. The average of correct answers in different schools is between 93 and 98 per cent.
" I have also heard nearly every pupil, below the High School, sing individually, to ascertain the proportion of those who cannot learn to sing. I have found only five girls who cannot follow a melody correctly, and three of these are nearly correct. There are nineteen boys who have not " a good ear for music," most of whom are in the highest classes. I am sure that most of these could sing well, were it not for diffidence or obstinacy. I have the record of the above examinations to show the Committee if they wish.
" I hope the above figures will cause the Board to compel every child to take part in the singing exercise, unless the music teacher, by examination, shall ascertain that the pupil has really no talent for music."
Respectfully submitted.
CARROLL D. WRIGHT, HIRAM BARRUS, S. E. PARKER, WM. J. WIGHTMAN, SIDNEY P. PRATT,
School Committee.
READING, March 2, 1874.
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