The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-06-07
IANcAsrER UNION scnoOLs.

|
We spent day last week in the yaFi-
Gus Departments Oftbe Lancaster Union
Schools. and submit: the following re-
marks.
The school rooms are clean and neat in
every respect The ventilation is sufh-
cient to render them comfortable. In the
government Of the schools. under the
systems adopted, we were rather sur
prised. as well as pleased. to witness
stiffness and orderly department on the
part of the pupils, that it has never been
our privilege to lcok upon before. Much
Of the discipline being enforced BY gen.
ticulalions from the teachers, in which
few words are used. The system observ-
cd in these schools. Of classify ing tie
scholars in the different rooms, according
to age or progress in learning. shows al
once to the visitor, superior advantages
over promiscuous schools. in many re-
spscis, besides making The work easy for
the teacher.
There are some things however con-
nectcd with the schools, which we think
demand the action Of the Board of Edu-
calion. at least before the fall sessions
commence. Tie junior classes consisting
Of two rooms in each building, are 100
Iull, either for the ability Of the teacher.or
the advantage Of the children. The range
being from 60 TO 80 children in each
room. One oi the ladies informed US, that
the number in her room on that day,
was 49, The utmost that the teacher can
accomplish under such circumstances, is,
1 to hear two recitations day from each
!, child; viz, one in the morning. and one in
4 the Afternoon, in connection with other
y duties belonging to teaching. 1t is obvi.
Gus that this department Of the Lancaster
o schools demands reform. The division
Of this class Of pupils, SO as to form tive
i. new departments, with two additiona
>. teachers, would perhaps be sufficient 70
a. the present, and entirely satisfactory t,
/; all inteie esled.
ar We found writing TO be taught in a
the rooms Of The more advanced scholars
n the junior pupils being confined TO tn
use of the pencil and slate. We were
le little disappointed in the improvement i
4. pGnmanship that has been achieved i
Do some Of the departments, especially i
10 the rooms Of Mr.. Whitney and Mis-
of BEcKEr. Some Of the samples shown u
s. were very 6ns, We had previously bee
,l. Of the opinion, that writing was almost Ell
he tirely neglected in these schools.
ar II reoitations that we heard in Gree
10 Latin, Spelling, Defining aud Reading
a. we're clear. aud shows commeudable il
- dustry, both with the teacher and pupi
b. but The crowning test which we witness
q. ed was. in the responses Of a class in NJ
mt WHrSEY's room in Mental Arithmetic =
N The exhibition was not only pleasing, bu
surprising; questions complicated and at
IN. struse, were put 10 the class with gre'
for rapidly, and correct solutions we're {
IA. rapidly given, ard in some instances /
,be vaIy young heads. This we regard as
very useful method Of mental training.
The We were pleased 10 see Dr. WILLIAN
ala new spellor and de6ner introduced in
Il the higher department, under the care
hi. Mss BECKETT. This work ia denomlu
the ted the Topical Lexicon" or "Rsadat
a'y Dictionary" aud is. we think. wo
worthy to bo introduced into the Comm
Schools.
.ro, Upon the whoe We we're pleased W
D. our visit to the schools. as we were eI
al blsd to correct somo unfsvorable imprel
~. ions tl.at have got abroad, at least IN Q
';,o own mind. We commend The citizens
,,. visit the schools often, and see for the
nm. selves. By SO doing, they will onco,
age the teachers, and benefit the gene
oro prosperity Of these institutions of lea
the ing. Teachers need to be sustained
the the APPRECIATION oI their employers.
anu chillren also feel encouraged by seci
p 1a'' their parents often in the school.room
oh. If the schools as they are, are not perie
lsa there is the greater necessity Tor the G,
ng. eral cooperation Of all who are interest,
the TO improve them.
80. The final result Of our visit is, and
bs conclusions We have arrived at are, II
the Lancaster Union Schools are "
advance on the old district system. A
~ ~ II has been our privilege in former ye
' :" to sec much Of the latter. We think Il
~. IL ia the interes, ofcitZons to sustain
orS Union Schools. aud not do anything
embaIrass them.
no Aud Lang Syne."
its The Cpmpanv of