Polynesian., 1853-05-21

A. B. Howe, IA II
The The ship ; con contributes lSl 81 50 50
WILLIAM L. lee lee. 4
ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF THE
ROYAL SCHOOL.
REPORT.
The undersigned having been appointed
by the Minister of Public Instruction 10 at
tend the Annual Examination Of the Roya
School, held on the 4th inst, would report as
follows:
The committee were pleased to observe
lst.-The general department Of the school.
A school is like an army. To be effective
it must have order, discipline, methed of ex-
ercise and regularity of work. Without
these, a school ceases to meet the first re-
quirements of education, the practice Of obe-
dience and the restraint of the evil tendencies
of youth In the school before US, the vari-
Gus exercises of the day, evinced an excel
lent discipline exerted over the scholars,
which we we're happy to see extended even
to the slight proprieties.
We were pleased to observe 2d,-The
mode of teaching adopted-the system Of
classes reci.ing, by raising the hand to indi-
cate readiness gives enthusiasm to the reci-
tation. and stimulates the learner to compete
with his classmates. The promptness re-
quired in answering, and the correction of
mistakes, and criticisms upon each other by
the class themselves, conduces also to the
same end Nearly all needed corrections
were made by the classes, who indeed were
very ready to pass judgment upon them
selves, and that sometimes unnecessarily.
There may be some children studious by
disposition, and needing no stimulus to ac-
quiring knowledge, and yet great vantage
ground is gained, when a teacher is able to
excite emulation among his pupils upon the
studies in haud. To rivet the attention aud
excite the interest, and stimulate to constant
exertion the scholar. we consider an excel
lent ability in a teacher.
The recitation not being strictly confined
to the book, but latitude being given to the
ideas of the pupil as the topic of the lesson
may suggest kindred topics, is an excellent
practice. We understand in the higher
branches at least, recitatiens are gone over
without the use Of the book by either teacher
or scholar, and when the subject admits, gen.
eral discussion adopted. This method
brings TO the aid of the learner one of the
strongest helps of memory, the association Of
ideas, while it develops his powers of COM
parison and deduction. The reflective mind
is the truly educated mind.
We were pleased also to notice the char
acter of the books used in the school. These
are of the latest editions, and contain many
improvements. The com. are not prepared
TO say that every change in school book IS
an improvement, yet there has during TIE
few past years, been introduced many
chsnges for the better, and we could not par
don a teacher who would refuse to keep pace
with the genuinely improved books. The
truth is, that school books have greatly i'm
proved, both in their treatment of subjects
and their adaptation to the wants OF children
They are becoming more philosophical in
their character, their synthesis more perspic-
uous, and their art Of treating subject more
in accordance with the capacity of the learn
er. The young beginner is no longer puz-
zled with the intricacies Of a science, forced
upon his notice with its elementary dehn-
itions, nor forced to retain by memory alone,
propositions far beyond his comprehension.
The teacher is relieved from great burden,
the book supplying now his office in great
measure to the pupil. 1t is this persPiculty
in school books that we admire. We alrea-
dy see its value set before the public (exag-
gerated of course) in the popular advertise
ments of French, Spanish and other languages
taught in twelve lessons without master,
and WE are almost prepared for the an
nouncement of some author, of children edu-
Gated thoroughly in twelve lessons. II is at
least true, that the hill Of science is of gen.
tier ascent on its primary slopes, and the
road to knowledge beset with fewer thorns
to children than in former years.
We observed the changes in grammar
more perhaps than in any other book used
during the examination. In this the changes
of nomenclature, and the improvements In
constituting, convinced Us that our grammar
erudition belonged to aspast age The read
ING books also are now finely adapted to the
canabilities of the scholar. There are no big
words f1ying up in the little tyro's face to be
spelt out or skipt to the next, confoundIns
him with its long succession of letters and
incomprehensble meaning, and also the sub
iects chosen are well adapted TO the years OF
The readers, and calculated to interest them
We were not aware that so great changes
had occurred among school books until look
ing over those placed in our hands, we found
not one old acquaintance, excepting perhaps
Andrew and Stoddard. We are happy to find
these late editions in use in this school; tor
however much parents may feel the burden
of changing books, it is not to be denied that
the new books bring with them, generally,
signal advantages to the children.
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