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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1871-1872 School Committee Report REPORT OF THE SCHOOL - COMMITTEE I I OF THE • i i TOWN OF LEXINGTON. FOR THE YEAR 1871-72. i BOSTON: PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN & SON, 131 CONGRESS STREET. 1872. f� PEP0RT j ; I, OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE , t' TOWN OF LEXINGTON. , r FOR THE YEAR 1871-72. BOSTON : PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN & SON, 131 CONGRESS STREET. 1872. a • i j TO THE INHABITANTS OF LEXINGTON: According to the requirements of the General . Statutes of Massachusetts, the undersigned herewith submit the " ANNUAL DEPORT . THE attention of our citizens is again invited to a careful review of the condition and progress of our various schools. We have • had another favorable year in respect,to health and general pros- perity. There have been more changes in some of the schools than•we could wish, but, on the whole, not more than in many previous years. At the close of the winter term, (March, 1871,) Mr. Childs, who had been principal of the High School since October, 1869, resigned his position, to. enter upon another profession. We received numerous applications to fill the vacancy, and, after a a j careful examination of those who appeared worthy of consideration, we appointed Mr. Usher W. Cutts, a graduate of Bowdoin Col- lege, bringing excellent testimonials of his ability and acquire- ments. Mr. Cutts had had considerable experience in teaching, and was, at the time of his appointment, an acceptable teacher of the classics in the Chauncy Hall School in Boston. In addition to the result of his examination, we felt sure from his maturity of judgment, dignity of character, and gentlemanly bearing, that we had been fortunate in our selection. ' Mr. Cutts entered upon his work with great fidelity, and followed carefully the prescribed instructions relating to the studies and discipline of the school. The number of scholars was exception- ally small, and the interest which many of them seemed to take in i AL their work was lamentably deficient. There .were too many At the close of the fall term, Miss Ginn felt obliged to resign occupations outside the school, especially in connection with public on account of continued ill-health. Her place-was filled by the entertainments, to allow that concentration of time and thought removal of Miss Underwood from the Franklin School, to which, upon-the important exercises of the school, which must always be in turn, we appointed Miss Ella J. Corthell of Hingham, another secured.if there is to be any commendable progress. This lack of graduate of the Salem Normal School. cordial co-operation, on the part of scholars and parents, with the These are the only changes of teachers that have taken place in teacher, continued, we regret to say, through the year, and neces- our schools during the year. sarily injured the popularity and success of the school. And yet Having decided to close the school-year hereafter at the end of the closing examinations showed, beyond a question, that the the summer term, instead of in March, as heretofore, we postponed instruction from the desk had been'patient and thorough. When the presentation of diplomas to the graduating class at the High the resignation of the principal was announced, there was a general School until July. After this, classes may expect to be transferred feeling among the scholars, as many of them acknowledged, that to higher grades of study at the beginning of the fall term. they had not treated him fairly. We feel bound to say this much Owing to the appearance of small pox in neighboring towns, 9e in simple justice to a faithful and- conscientious teacher, who has "` deemed it advisable, December 1st, to call the attention of parents now left us; and we sincerely trust that the people of our town to the General Statute requiring all children admitted to, or con- will cease giving expression to unkind and unjust opinions con- nected with., the public schools, to furnish a certificate of vaccina- - This wise precaution has been generally adopted in Boston cerning this school tion. The fact that only two of the parents have visited the High and vicinity, and has doubtless prevented any serious outbreak of School throughout'the year, shows how little real interest they the disease. have taken in its welfare, and also how poorly qualified they are to judge of its condition. We ought to cherish the reputation of the 1 ATTENDANCE. school, and guard it against idle gossip and ungrounded rumors, The number of persons in.the town May, 1, 1871, between the from which it has suffered more in the past than from any other ages of five and fifteen years, as returned to us by the assessors, cause. Teachers who have been unpopular here, have been emi- was three hundred sixty-three—a smaller number than has been nently successful elsewhere, showing that the fault lies largely with returned for some -years. The number enrolled upon our school us. We are glad to.notice a resolution on the part of some of the registers during the year, was four hundred sixty-seven. Of present members of the school to avoid the occasion of this reproach - Tr this number, thirty-one were over fifteen years of age, and nine in the future. under five, showing that there have been in our schools during At the close.of. the summer term Miss Bacon resigned her posi- < the year, sixty-five scholars between the ages of five and fifteen tion as teacher of the Howard School. Circumstances induced us years, not found by the assessors on the first of May. The cause to fill the vacancy by transferring Miss Russell from the Warren ,,, of this difference, as well as of the decrease in numbers, as above School. Owing to the temporary illness of Miss Russell, she was referred to, we leave for others to discuss. allowed a respite of a few weeks, at the close of the winter term, The whole number of names upon our registers is . 467 and her place was supplied by Miss Carrie P. Wellington, of The average number of scholars through the year is 365 Waltham, a recent graduate of the Girls' High and Normal School _ The average daily attendance has been 305 in Boston. Further details as to attendance, are given in the appended table. At the Warren School, Miss Mary Ginn, a graduate of the Thus we see that over sixty scholars, who are actually members of Salem .Normal School, and a teacher of many years' experience, '"" our schools, are absent daily! and over one hundred and sixty, was appointed as Miss Russell's successor. including those who have been members sometime during the year l 6 7 It is not uncommon to have over one thousand absences in some claim it also, and thus our schools would all be suspended,because of our schools each term 1 These figures are a louder appeal for a few of the older members wish to attend the fair. amendment, than any words of ours could be, and it is with sincere S. Those who attend such-exhibitions are almost always unfit regret that we feel called upon to publish them; yet we do it in for study the following day. This is the testimony of all teachers. the hope that all those who, in any way, have encouraged such '4. It is not customary in other towns to suspend the public irregularity in attendance, will hereafter do their utmost to aid us schools for agricultural,fairs, or military musters, or other exhibi- in reforming a habit so vicious in its influence, and so long counte- tions, designed only for adult persons. nanced among us. 5. Those who wish to cultivate a knowledge of such matters, During the year we have had .many requests from parents, to will have ample time, when school days are over. And this leads excuse their children from a part of the required exercises, or to us to say allow them to be dismissed an hour or more before the close of a 6. We wish the members of our schools would take a more session. There may be, now and then, a case needing such special hearty interest in their studies. Many of them, as is well-known, . fa or, owing perhaps to feeble health; but the great majority of are still quite deficient in the most common branches, and if they applications of this kind, as we have found upon close inquiry, do would attain to a liberal and.thorough education, they must give not deserve to be granted. The schools have suffered incalculably themselves wholly to the work. by such breaks, class-rank has been seriously disturbed, the lessons Other reasons might be given, but:these are deemed sufficient. thus omitted have not been, and could not be, made up, those As a Committee we have striven hard to remedy the. evils of scholars who remained constant in their attendance have been dis- irregular attendance, but the incomprehensible indifference of couraged, the efforts of teachers to promote the steady progress of parents has made it up-hill work, and the record shows little a school have been thwarted, and the result is sadly apparent at the improvement on former years. As truant officers we have given close of a term when the examinations reveal how much has been lost. prompt attention to every case of truancy and absenteeism which Not a year passes but that the Committee are urged by scholars, was known to be against the wishes of the parents—giving our and even by some of our citizens, to grant.a general holiday on the personal attention to hunting up the offenders and bringing them occasion of,some fair or public show being held somewhere in the to duty by expostulation or punishment. We are happy to state county. In September last, a petition came to us from the mem- that truancy now rarely occurs; but there are a number of known hers of one of the schools, asking that they might be excused, one cases of willful absenteeism which we have not been able to reach, or more days, during the exhibition of cattle; at Concord. We by any means at our command, during the past year, owing to the considered the subject carefully, in all its bearings, and declined to. defects in our town by-laws. This difficulty has been remedied by grant the request for the following reasons the adoption at the recent town meeting of by-laws that will enable 1. A cattle-show is not a suitable place for our scholars; and us to punish these offenders by legal process, in case it shall be especially when it is held in another town. While there.are many necessary. By vote of the town these by-laws are printed here- advantages, as we all know, to be gained in the interests of agri- with. culture and stock-raising from such exhibitions, it cannot be denied Having thus presented the worst features in our record of attend- that the evils attendant upon them constitute a sufficient reason why o ante&, we desire to relieve it somewhat and to give credit to those young persons should not leave their studies ,to witness them. who are especially deserving, by publishing the following Troll of Horse-racing, for instance, and other adjuncts of modern county honor," comprising such as have been neither absent nor tardy fairs, can have no possible place in a system of education such as �' during the year or a term: we are appointed to maintain. ADAMS GRAMMAR SCHOOL. 2. If one school is allowed the privilege, the others might For the year:—Lillie F. Choate, Leah Nunn, Hattie Adams, Na- thaniel Nunn,Charles Adams,Bigelow Winship. For the first term:— Emma F. Hanson, Josephine White, Ernestine White,Ella Holbrook, HIGH SCHOOL. R. S. Holbrook, Alfred Pierce, Wendell F. Pierce, Harry. Pierce. For the year:—Sarah L. Adams, Annie E. Bryant, Florence M. For the second term—Abby P. Holbrook, Josephine White, Ernes- Damon. For the first term:—Florence J. Webber, Grace S. Wel- tine White, Ella Holbrook, Georgie M. Smith, Alfred Pierce,Harry lington, William T. Adair, John M. Donovan,Everett Al. Mulliken, Pierce, Effie G.Sanderson,Warren P. Hadley. For the third term: Charles P. Nunn. For the second term:—Grace S. Wellington, Abby P. Holbrook, Anna A. Smith, Susie A. Capelle, Warren Had- Carrie A. Bacon, M. M. Harrington, S. E. Holmes, George E. ley, Wendell F. Pierce. Graham. For the third term:—Florence J. Webber, E. E. Harring- ADAMS PRIMARY SCHOOL, ton, M. M. Harrington, S. E. Holmes, Carrie A. Underwood. For the year:—Willie Barnes, Alonzo Locke. For the first term: SCHOOL BUILDINGS. George Gammell,William Locke, Grace Mills. For the second term: In addition to the usual amount for the support of schools, the Maria Chisholm, Amy Holbrook. For the third term:—William Locke, George Gammell, John Keefe. town appropriated eight hundred dollars for repairs of school build- ings. This amount was estimated to be sufficient for such repairs HANCOCK GRAMMAR SCHOOL. as were immediately required, but,although we ventured to exceed For the first term:—Amelia M. Mulliken,S. Augusta Adams,Annie the appropriation somewhat,, we were obliged to leave undone B. Adair. For the second term:Charles A. Fowle. For the third many things which the welfare of the schools and the preservation term:—Amelia M. Mulliken, Nellie H. Parker, Georgic S. Dunning, of the school property demand. Annie B. Adair, Edith J. Robinson, Clara E. Wentworth, Mary E. We cannot'urge upon our people too forcibly the importance to Plumer, Edmund W. Russell, Charles A.Fowle, Wm. E. Butters. our schools of attractive surroundings. It is impossible to estimate HANCOCK PRIMARY SCHOOL. the value of the influence upon the youthful mind of cheerful and For the year:—Frederick Butters. For the first term:—Andrew well-ventilated school rooms, clean windows and paint, white ceil- Adair, Etta Dow, Maggie O'Neil, Jennie Grout. For the second ings, comfortable and well kept furniture, and neat and tasteful term:—Alfred Adams,Maggie O'Neil. For the third term:—Andrew grounds. Hardly a school room in the town possesses these char- Adair, Everett Emery, Daniel Collins, George Hodgman. acteristics. '''We have done something during the year by the use WARREN SCHOOL. of soap, sand and water, towards cleanliness, but very much more For the year:—Lottie Kendrick. For the first term Carrie F. is needed in and around every school house, which only increased Jewett. For the second term:—Carrie F. Jewett, Laura Kendrick, appropriations will secure. Kate McNamara, Margaret Harrington, Margaret Murphy, Clara With the exception of the High School room, there is not one Dennett, George Conant. For the third term:—Laura Kendrick. in town which does not need painting and whitening, and there is FRANKLIN SCHOOL. not a school yard which does not need fencing. Early in the year we built fences on three sides of the Franklin and Adams lots, to For the year:—Kate J. Cashman. For the first term:—Charles J. Cutler, Mary McCarthy, Ann E. McCarthy. For the second terms replace some that had nearly disappeared; and similar fencing is —George H. Kendall, Jennie F. Jewett. For the third term:—Alice needed to separate the Howard and Warren lots from the adjoin- H. Thwing, Annie McCarthy. ing fields. In addition to these,which are necessary for protection, we think each school lot would be much improved by suitable HOWARD SCHOOL. fences on the street fronts. For the second term:-Elmina Munroe, Frank H. Reed. For the With the exception of the Hancock, nothing has been done to third term:—Elmina Munroe. improve a single lot by the planting of trees or shrubs, and very BOWDITCH SCHOOL. little by grading. In some cases it would seem that the most For the first term:—Eva P.Flint,John A. Demar. For the second unattractive and worthless spots in the districts were selected for term:—Allen Nourse. For the third term:—Frank Whittemore. 2 10 school lots. On the most convenient parts of these lots the houses i sense of the town will not allow a single inch of this lot to be were placed, and the usual unattractive concomitants were put in disposed of, or, for the paltry sum of five dollars per year, allow conspicuous places in the rear, without a fence separating the yards, any portion of it to be used as a pasture. We need the whole lot or screen of any kind, to relieve the unsightliness or publicity. for the use of the school,and five dollars is but a drop in the Beyond this nothing seems to have been originally done. balance against the good to be obtained .by the boys and girls of We have endeavored to improve matters a little by removing that school in a single five minutes' run on the grass, free from the rubbish,and by building fences separating the rear yards and screen- , annoyance of cows and pasture obstructions. Allowing this lot to ing the outbuildings from the streets. These buildings we have be used for such a purpose, is the result of the same thoughtless- tried to make less obnoxious by keeping them well cleaned and by nes which permitted a vote to be taken at a town meeting last removing much that chalk, pencil, and the destructive jack-knife year, to erect a pound on the same lot—a calamity which a second had made pernicious. We feel, however, that these old buildings sober thought averted. Our scholars do not need the lessons should be entirely removed and suitable ones erected in proper which pounds and pastures teach. places; and these should be carefully watched and the teachers held The old tow4 house was, during the year, put into our pos- . responsible for their condition. session;and by vote of the town was called the High School House. Our teachers should feel that a careful supervision of the school f We immediately set about putting it into a condition suitable for a property every day, is a part of their work, and should promptly schoolroom,—an expense which should not properly be charged to attend to the slightest trespass or injury. They-have for the most our special appropriation for repairs, and which exhausted half of part done well in this particular, but they can do much more in it. Three weeks of continued scrubbing only in part removed the their work of instruction by keeping the yards and floors scrupu- accumulations of tobacco filth from the cracks and crevices, and the accretions of dust and dirt from the walls, windows and blinds. lously clean, and by attending to little things about the school rooms; by keeping their own desks in good order and insisting to We had the room sheathed three feet from the floor, black-boards that each scholar shall keep his so; by keeping the maps .and cur- constructed, the walls whitened, and the wood work and blinds tains hanging true, and not awry as they are much of t°he time; by painted, and thus made the room quite presentable. We did, insisting that chalk, erasers, pointers, and other apparatus shall however, only that which decency demanded, and much more be kept in their proper places; and a thousand,other little matters, ought to be done. The floor, always a poor one, is in a splintered which will occur to every wide-awake teacher. condition, and, in some places, nearly worn through; and the Whether the work of improving our school lots should be one ` i furniture, owing to its frequent removal for town meetings, and of private outlay, or should be done by a vote of the town, we storing.in a damp cellar, is hardly in a condition to stand alone. will not now discuss, but will add,that in addition to the benefit to The ventilation of this building,as of all the other school buildings be derived from it as an educator, no better investment can be made in town, seems to have been almost wholly unprovided for, except by the people of a neighborhood or town, than by expending even so far as windows and doors would answer the purpose. Nothing a large sum for this purpose. Strangers passing through,or visiting strikes us so unpleasantly,in our frequent visits among the schools, a town, cannot avoid impressions from the condition of the school as the foul'air which the children are obliged to breathe. We do property. i not wonder at the disorder, dullness and sloth so apparent, when In this connection, we cannot refrain from referring to the we think how grossly the physical laws of our being are there vio- proposition to sell some portion of the High School lot. It is a lated. If a draft of fresh air is let in at a window, some child is matter of much surprise to us, that any one should entertain for likely to suffer, and at the best, only a slight change of air is the an instant,such a suggestion, and we do not believe we need give it result. The poisonous gases thrown from the lungs, and lurking more than this passing notice. We are confident that the good in different parts of the room, are not expelled by it. 12f l3 In the High School building we have endeavored to effect a edge of the elements of the letters, and previous preparation on partial reformation in this respect, by opening passages through each lesson. which currents of air can always pass in and out freely and gently. In including grammar among the branches especialjy neglected In the Adams Intermediate School room a successful experiment we do not refer to a drill in the text-book—but work which can has been tried by admitting fresh air under a cylinder stove and be done without a book, even in the lowest schools. We should causing it to be heated and distributed throughout the room. begin there to call attention to every incorrect expression, and to Other plans are on foot, and we hope to see immediate adva4- the structure of ordinary sentences. The numerous papers we tages from the change in all our schoolhouses. In some of the have had from the several written examinations during the year, buildings new stoves have been added,and the basements plastered, have given us ample opportunity to notice the last mentioned defi- which, we think, will hereafter.prevent any suffering from cold. ciencies. A few of the almost innumerable errors in orthography on our DEFICIENCIES. lists we venture to give—and lest it be impossible in some cases Our scholars are especially deficient in reading, spelling, pen- to understand what was attempted, we place the correct words in i manship, and grammar. In only one or two of the schools has a separate column. i any special attention been paid to articulation. Classes have been - Independence. Themoneter. through a half dozen grades, using readers in which particular Independence. Indi endence. Themomiter. p Thermometer. � Themomitor. attention is called to the elementary sounds,without being able to Physicion. distinguish properly one sound from another. We desire the Physician. Phycician. Thermonother. � classes in reading to be"thoroughly drilled in the elements every (Sovreign. Melitia. Sovereign. { Soverin Me litia. day, and the teacher should carefully go over`the exercise by him- gn. ( g Militia. Milicia. Soverieng. �Malicia. self, before venturing to drill his class, that he may be sure he can �: ( Commitee. give the sounds correctly and clearly, and without nasal and other Committee. { Commity. S Catapillar: disagreeable tones. Very much can be done-at home in this par- Y Commitie. I Cattapilla. Aneversar . Caterpillar. Catapiller. correcting y titular, by having children read aloud and by carefully c g Anniversary. � Cateerpillar. any errors which are noticed. Anniversary. Aniversery. Cattaphilia. poorly taught -in .nearly every school, Anaversary. Analesys. Penmanship has been p y tau g � and we shall insist during the coming year that a fixed time each Tenessee. Analysis. Analysis. Tennessee. Tennesee. Anallicies. . week be devoted to it, and that nothing shall be allowed to inter- Own. One. fere with that time. We believe that classification will assist us in Regular. Regelar. Hener Thomas. Tomas. € this, and that much more can be accomplished by putting all the Nominative. Nomo ative. Delaware. Delewhere. scholars into one, or at most two classes,than by the plan generally Objective. Objecttive. Wednesday. Wensday. followed in our schools of having as many classes as there are Gold. Gould. Attack. Attact. pupils. All the scholars in a school-room can be drilled at the Thence. Thents. Business. Bissuness.. same time on a particular element, or letter, by the teacher using Depot. Deapot. Apparel. Apparabie. the blackboard, to better advantage than by individual instruction Rebels. Rebbles. Calendar. Chalander. —and thus each one can derive the benefit of the whole time Exhibition. Exherbition. New Hampshire. New Hanshire. devoted to the exercise, in place of a few seconds ordinarily given Great Britain. great Britten. Catarrh. Catah. �� Squares. Squers. to each individual. We are aware that this, like every exercise Obey. Obay. q properly taught, requires care on the part of the teacher, a knowl- July. Juley. Grammar. Grammer. a r 14 R_ 15 Chose. Choase. Just. Gust. Touch. Tueb. Complete. Compleet. Who were some of the leading generals and statesmen during the Which. Wieh. Calyx. Calax. Revolutionary War? Their. There. Stamens. Starnins. Ans. General Lee Braddock. . Because. Becaus. Pistils. Pistals. When, where, and by whom was the "Declaration of Independ- Shadow. Sbaddow. Plums. Plumbs. ence" adopted? Arcs. Archs. Proper nouns. Propper nounes.Chords. Cords. Pronoun. dns. On the fourth of July by Lee. Pronoune. Exaggerate. Exadurate. Flower. Flour. Mention the Presidents of the United States, from Washington to Grant. Ans. Washington, Jonson. The following are a few of the questions and answers on our files:— Give some of the causes and results of the late war of the Rebellion. Ans. They wanted to tax the colonneys. What is Grammar? ti -When, where, and how was negro slavery introduced into our Ans. Gramer treets of the construction of sentensis and writing and reading correctly. country? What words should begin with capitals ins. In 1620 at Plymouth. Ins. The beginning of every propper nouns. Why are the tropics so placed? Ans. To make the boundaries of the Torrid Zone. Write a comple�sentence. Ans. Mary has gon to Boston. One of the present members of the High School commenced a` Write a compound sentence. composition upon the subject of 11 Labor," as follows: Ans. The Ocean roars Ocean the Subjec Roars th Predeit. "`Never put off till to-morrow what may be done to-day.' This is a piece of scripture often quoted by the industrious." Write a sentence containing subordinate elements. Ans. I am Teaching. , 'These errors are taken from papers of three different examina- Write a synopsis of "know" in the third person, singular number tions, including one of the pupils in the High School, at the close of the indicative mood. of the summer term, and are by no means confined to those who Ans. He know. He have known. He knowed, were refused admission to that school. We are painfully aware that not only the classes now in the High School, but many of its Write a sentence containing a verb in the passive,voice, indicative graduates, are deficient in these very particulars. We remember mood, past perfect tense. hearing one of the graduates spell `Cincinnati,' `Since-e-nat-ty,' Ans. He had to be gone. and this is not an extreme case; and we know many of them to What is longitude be as woefully deficient in grammar, arithmetic, and geography, Ans. Distance from the Equator, East or West. unable to bound our own country, with no comprehension of the Name the countries of South.America. ordinary processes in arithmetic, and utterly lost in the perplexi- Ans. Brazil British Duch French Gueana Venesuelar,District of -' ties of adjectives and adverbs. Columbia Ecuadore, Perue, Bolivia, Argenteel Confederation, Chilia, We had intended to publish the result of the examination of Pattigonia, Urigua, Pareguay. applicants for the High School, at the beginning of the year, in full; not in any way to reflect upon those rejected, for they are e y q p ;w s 16 17 good scholars, and we commend them for cheerfully submitting to the first term, others drag along through the year, sometimes two the verdict, and trying again, but to disarm those who so readily years, but only those, as a general rule, persevering to the end attacked our board for their action; but we think we have shown who were best fitted to enter. enough for our defence; and we shrink from exposing any further The committee indulge in no visionary schemes as to our High these glaring deficiencies, lest they.bring discredit to our town, School. They do not expect for the present to make it in all which now enjoys a reputation for good schools. respects equal to similar schools about us, or, even,properly speak- These shortcomings of its pupils,,or graduates, can not justly ing, deserve the name of High School; but they do desire to have reflect upon the High School, its course of study or its instruction. the work of the preparatory schools better done, and to have none We have been obliged to modify the course laid down for that admitted to the High School who are not ready to enter at once school, to meet these very deficiencies—insisting upon a thorough upon the course of study laid down there. drill in arithmetic, grammar, reading and spelling, and thus, at The questions given for examination for admission to the High the expense of the regular.High School studies, doing the work School for the past two years have been very generally seen by there which should have been done in the grammar departments. parents. We do not expect for the present to make them more Neither is it entirely the fault of the grammar schools—though difficult,,or extend over a wider range; but we do expect to have we believe much more can be done there by a thorough classifica- seventy-five per cent. correctly answered. How near those who tion. We trace the difficulty through all the grades to the parents were recently admitted came to this per cent., for their credit we themselves. We do not now refer to the instruction which chil-, will not state; and if we were to mention how low the per tentage dren should receive at home, but to the unaccountable desire of of those who were rejected was, we should not expect to be believed. parents "to get their children along"--to the pressure brought to We think it plain to every one that a change is demanded, and the bear upon teacher and committee to allow a scholar to go from a committee will endeavor to gradually accomplish, it. The cordial lower class or school,'to a higher. The work of each year and f support of parents will greatly assist us in the work. term, from the primary school up, should be thoroughly done, and We recommend that monthly written examinations,of the higher in this way no scholar will be passed from one grade to another classes at least, be held in all the schools,—that the teachers until he can grapple understandingly with the work of the higher examine the papers carefully, calling attention to errors in penman- grade and the usefulness of no school will .be impaired by the ship, use of capital letters, punctuation, structure of sentences;and necessity of doing the work of another. general appearance, as well as in the subject matter; that these The argument that our High School is small, and should be papers be carefully ranked, and a record kept by the teacher, with filled, is a poor one. We believe that one of the chief causes of the understanding that the`rank thrch the year is to be averaged the small number of its scholars, is that too manyAiave been with the rank given to the papers in the examination for admission admitted, a paradox easily understood by those familia with the to the High School. In this way the scholar's rank in his class in workings of the school. Over three-fourths of the scholars who the Grammar School, will have as much weight as the result of his enter that school fail to complete the course. The present first examination,in determining whether he shall be admitted to the class consists of only two members; and all our graduating classes High School. have been lamentably small. Scholars are wonderfully eager to During the year we shall attempt a more thorough classification 11 get in," but they have generally found it much more difficult to in all the schools, and arrange a scheme of work for the whole stay in. Not thoroughly grounded in the fundamental branches, school course—beginning with the lowest grade. without good habits of thought or study, they find it no easy task to overcome the difficulties which the High School work presents, a and so fall behind, lose all ambition and drop out; some even in 18 19 PRIMARY INSTRUCTION. '' 5. It aims especially to train the eye as a means of informing In order to secure greater attainments in the several grades of the mind. The habit of close observation, always a chief source of our schools, we must begin with the youngest. The best and most knowledge, is thus encouraged. experienced educators everywhere, are turning their attention more 6. The hand is also practiced in many dexterous employments. than ever, to*the instruction which can be given to the smallest In this way the constructive faculties are taught and developed, children. A great advance has been made, within the last few and there is no unnatural barrier between thinking and acting— years, in the methods used in the primary schools. between wondering how a thing is done and trying to do it. The central idea of the new system is the law of growth—growth 7. Children are thus taught to investigate for themselves. from the very earliest years—and also the identity of this growth Committing to memory is not enough. between the mind and the body. Modern science in Europe, as 1 8. It regards the love of beauty as common to all,and a source well as in our own country, is making us more and more familiar of great happiness and culture if rightly used. The harmony of with this prominent idea. It was this that animated Pestalozzi in colors and the charm of their contrasts,the symmetry and grace of elaborating his system of object-teaching. Friedrich Froebel, a form, about which so many adults are now lamentably ignorant, pupil of Pestalozzi's; observing, with rare sagacity, that the bent of are taught in a way never to be forgotten. mind and character was given in the earliest years, set himself to Though we do not propose to abolish the alphabet and the spell- the task of providing a practicable course of training for the ; ing-book, we commend these suggestions to our primary teacher's youngest minds. He spent a life-time in studying the natures of, as worthy of their mature thought,and, so far as may be, of careful children, and the best means of training their varied faculties, and practice. In addition to such miscellaneous exercises as they have when he died,twenty years ago, he had perfected a complete sys- already had, let them study the capacity and.temperament of each tem, and had thoroughly tested its efficiency. This system of pupil, and always be ready with something to entertain as well as instruction he called by the appropriate name of F{ Kindergarten," f' instruct him. We see no reason why the teacher should not, from children's garden. The first stage of education is all that it aims time to time, as a reward, perhaps, for�good behavior, bring in important little novelties,. designed to explain or illustrate some im to effect. The points in which it differs from former methods of p teaching, may be briefly stated as follows principle. For example, pieces of white paper to be folded, or cut 1' It makes it desirable, #nd almost necessary, that pupils geometrically, (of course the children will not know that word,) tiny wooden sticks, tied up in bundles of five or ten, for counting, should be received at the age of four, and even three, years, and in some cases even younger than that. At the age of six or seven small blocks for the young carpenters, perforated card-board with a they have completed the cose of the Kindergarten proper, and few bright worsteds, flowers and grasses, shells and pebbles, pic- are ready to pass on to higher schools. tures and toys ; these may, with proper discretion, be added to the 2. Books have hardly any place in Froebel's system. slate and black-board as a legitimate means of education. 3. In the place of text-books, the child has a great variety of The advocates of this system claim for it extraordinary merits; materials given him to work with, and from these, under the eye it is at least worth our attention. If we can find a true and effici- ent method of starting of the teacher,he learns not only the elements of many branches of g children in life with a zest for knowledge, study, but also the first steps in several mechanical and artistic with a body active and healthy, and with senses quickened and pursuits. trained, by all means let us try it. Then in later years, when the 4. This system recognizes the natural love of activity in chil- pupil will have to submit to laborious study and grasp new dren, as essential to their health and growth. Instead of repress- problems of thought, we may hope he will find himself well equip- ped for the work by that early awakening and wise direction of his ing, it endeavors to turn it into proper channels, and to make it �- powers for which he will never cease to thank his primary teacher. one of the chief agents in their instruction. P y i 20 21 GENERAL EXERCISES. the book by familiar objects or passing events. Every page of We are not unmindful of the complaints that are frequently geography and history can-thus be made interesting. When, e. g., made, that scholars are overtasked, and these complaints come to a casualty, like the recent loss of the whaling fleet in the Arctic us with greater bitterness, when we attempt to introduce exercises sea, is reported, it might be made the subject of a profitable address or changes with a view to furnish the very relief needed to remedy from the teacher, with the free use of blackboard and maps. The the supposed difficulty. We have no desire to add to the daily attention of the whole school will be eagerly given to such an t exercise, and though it is not down in the books and may not'last asks of our pupils ; but we do not believe that recitations, day after day, in reading, spelling, arithmetic and geography, from .five minutes, they will never forget it. one end of the year to the other, without anything to vary the In like manner the habits and customs, the resources and achievements of various nations, may be frequently brought to the routine, is the best method to pursue and we have accordingly introduced a few other studies and exercises for a change, as well special notice of the whole school. The phenomena of earth- as for the discipline. Fodr recitations per week, in any study, are quakes, such as have. recently occurred in California and Syria sufficient, and the intervening time had better be spent in other should be described; also the occasions of war, the modes of things. government, and many other things which will come up continually We are glad, therefore, to be able to have vocal music taught in. t y in the daily papers, and in well selected books. Let the children all our schools. During the past term Mr. Bird has awakened a learn even these things at school. very general enthusiasm on this subject, as the eager eyes, ready; voices and patient efforts of the children in singing will testify. TEACHERS AND THEIR WORK. If our scholars are overtasked we have no hesitation in saying Indeed the work has not been confined to the school-room. Our streets and homes have been vocal with humming s of the scale and that the teacher is responsible to a great extent. If more teach- simple melodies even from the youngest children. The same ing were done, and less memorizing required, these complaints s in this particular is aston- instructor has been engaged for the coming year,and if the teachers would be less frequent. The loosenes will heartily co-operate with him in the work, we shall see much ishing. Teachers go into their school-rooms day after day, go progress in this elevating and delightful study. These daily music through the same routine of calling class after class, asking John or James where lessons, with the general exercises, practiced in most of the schools, ere the lessons are, and then go through the recitations will, we are confident, afford the very relief demanded by those by simply asking the questions in the books, without illustration who have said that we had already too many studies. of Y kind. The teacher should prepare himself for every reci- � an The practice of drawing, which is now required by Statute, will tation ; he should have some plan of the method to be pursued in be immediately undertaken ; and though many persons do not per- conducting the recitation, formed before the class is called. And ceive the use of this, we hope to show, by actual experience, that this applies with as much, or even greater force, to schools of the it will go far to train the eye and the hand of those who are look- lowest grades, as to the higher. Every lesson should be carefully ing forward to good positions in life, where the ready use of the looked over, no matter how familiar the teacher may be with the pen and pencil will be found to be of-inestimable value. We have subject, and some method of treatment considered. Teachers spoken elsewhere of the increased attention to be given to writing. should make use of every means at their disposal, for illustration. Gymnastics, vocal exercises, compositions, declamations, map The commonest objects about the school-room are sometimes the drawing, and other useful and agreeable variations of the ordinary "�' best apparatus. The black-boards should be in constant use. routine of school life, are to be particularly emphasized during the They were certainly made for use, and not for ornament, as they coming year. seem to be regarded in some schools where no chalk is allowed to The wise teacher will always be ready to illustrate the lesson of mar them from one end of the year to the other. We would sug- 22 23 gest, also, that the globes, put into all the schools last year at great expense, are not of much benefit when kept locked in their boxes, and never brought to light; a remark which applies to more schools than one. We do not wish to be understood as finding fault with teachers. Without exception we believe them to be faithful in doing what they have thought to be for the welfare of their schools; but we REPORT OF BOOK AGENT, +APRIL, 1872. know that they can accomplish much more, with less hard labor, and not leave school at the end of the year worn and discouraged, if they will only begin right—begin with themselves. When things go wrong in school, teachers, depend upon it, in most cases you are at fault. Scholars are all right, as a rule, and CR. ready to receive instruction, but you are not always ready to prop- By Books on hand,April 1st, 1872, $174 84 erly impart it. Do not attempt to excuse your own shortcomings by By Discount on old stock disposed of by order of , alleging the dullness of your scholars. Encourage and speak well Z School Committee, 16 37 191 21 of them always. When we hear a teacher calling his scholars "stupid," because of his failure to. make them grasp a difficult question, we cannot help thinking that the stupidity does not rest DR. with the scholars only. And never say, Lf I can't find time." To Books and Cash received of Dr. Holmes, There is time for every exercise, if you have taken time to prepare former Agent, $125 00 yourself for it. Be systematic, and profit by some of the sugges- tions,we have given, and you will find increasing pleasure in the t t' Balance due Agent, $66 21 noble work to which you are devoted. LEONARD G. BABCOCK, AGENT. We append the Tabular View, and the Report of the Book Agent for the year; also a copy of the ,new code of Truant By- Laws, to which we have referred. E + Respectfully submitted, EDWARD G. PORTER, CHARLES TIDD, A. E. SCOTT, School Committee for 1871-72. LEXINGTON, March, 1872. w � 24- 25 O cO o O o c0 d+ GV w •a+to W tD eD CD . and sasem ~ wv VYV .iw wv , •sjaq -maul Jun-IOU a� tl clJ 0V _! 00 C7 J 02UJU alle o M M 00 00 00 00 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. ;o aselua0 aaa zeal to cJ, cc, 00 aq M to ti cm aal a a$ecan el+ 0p S}+ O 00 00 0 �-q 0v co aV m MIDDLEAEx 88. c 'TAzal PE + M a, t- A At the Superior Court, begun and holden at Lowell,within and for the •sane GV ca ti t- r 1 0V 0 00 SN cYa_ t` panne asezanV �, d, �, aq C9 Cq Gq � County of Middlesex, on the second Monday of March, being the eleventh GO day of said month, Anno Domini, 1872— meal Py o� ce e� none w -+ , i rn co to eI1 O Panne 029JOAV �+, .�, The following document is presented to the Court for approval and ae- ceptance, to wit auBsi `D + a'- r' m ( At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Lexington, qualified by law to -panne 92UJOAV C4 � ° �w � ;4 G11 C4 GN � A vote in town affairs,held on Monday; March 4th inst.,the following votes W o were passed: H •Waal P£ e� cfl ti LO rn e0 r• 1n rn =�Iogas3o'ox Cq "n � ,0 M c, c, c al m Voted to adopt a new Code of By-Laws relative to Truants and Ab- sentees from school, as follows:- 0 '.al P5 d' Cq a 0 00 ko m W c� 00 00'I sxelogag ro ox �n �r co c, Gq w m o SECTION 1. The town of Lexington hereby adopts the provisions of the forty-second chapter of the General Statutes of this 'Commonwealth so far a <mxal lsi Cq ,o iO ,4 CO .� X0 1-4 0 A � as applicable to truant children and absentees from school, and all the 's1glogoS3o'ots� "' " �" '' "' C4 C Nm *' provisions of the two hundred and seventh chapter of the Acts of 1862, entitled 11 An Act concerning Truant children and Absentees from s school," and the several Acts in addition to, or in amendment thereof. [-� `" SECT. 2. Any minor convicted of being an habitual truant, or any, o :o 0 child convicted of wandering about in the streets or public places of the I town of Lexington, having no lawful occupation or business, not attending y c a A a $ :a 0 _ i school and growing up in ignorance, between the ages of seven and six- 0 oH �. :m m teen years, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty dollars, to be x 0 $1 i 4 paid for the use of the town, and in case of default in the payment of said as ' W a' �' 0 fine, or instead of such fine, may be committed to the <<House for the In- m c W W struction, Employment, and Reformation of Juvenile Offenders" in the p W iz : R W �, W W Al W U + m City of Lowell in this Commonwealth, for such time, not exceeding two years, as the Court or Magistrate having jurisdiction shall determine. a SECT. 3. The " House for the Instruction, Employment, and Reforma- A tion of Juvenile Offenders," in the City of Lowell, is hereby provided and. e a : assigned as a suitable place for the commitment of the persons convicted o a - : : of either of the offences mentioned in Sec. 2; and the Selectmen are 0 a z hereby directed to make all-arrangements or contracts with said City of Lowell necessary to carry out the provisions, and for the enforcement of 4 o 0 0 z a F these By-Laws. The keeper of said house shall have the custody of such "a persons as are committed there from this town, and shall instruct and em- ploy them in a manner most effectual for their permanent reformation. ,i ,ti 26 SECT.4. Any Judge or Justice of any Police Court in the County of Middlesex, and any Trial Justice in said County, sball have jurisdiction of the offences mentioned in these By-Laws, and authority to enforce the same. Any Constable or Police Officer in this town may serve warrants and other processes necessary for the enforcement of the same, and the costs and fines shall be the same as allowed in criminal prosecutions before said Courts or Magistrates. SECT. 5. The By-Laws of the town relative to truancy heretofore adopted, are hereby repealed. Voted, That the School Committee be directed to submit these By- Laws to the Judge of the proper Court for approval, and to cause the same to be printed and circulated to the voters of the town. A true copy of the By-Laws, and votes relating thereto,.attest, LEONARD G. BABCOCK, Town Clerk. Whicli said By-Laws being seen and understood by the Court, are, on this tenth day of April, A. D. 1872, approved. In testimony that the foregoing is a true copy of Record, I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court this tenth day of April,'A. D: 1872. SEAL. JNO. JAB. SAWYER, Asst. Clerk. A true copy. 1 Attest, LEONAID G. BABCOCK, Town Cerk.