Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-01-08
a.. afternoon at the Public
school.

PERHAPS few of the wayfarers, who
4oilv nass almost under the shadow of
he large building occupied by the Pub
Hc School, are aware of tho busy scenes
Transporting within. Indeed, we were
not. till the last afternoon of the closing
term, when we found time to drop in
sad hastily pass through the different
departments.
First into the Primary Department,
under the care of Mrs. BAHY. Our at
.aption was arrested on entering the
room BY its stiffness, which, for young
children, was remarkable; and what is
more, most Of them were finishing their
first term Of school-life. We were glad
10 see that the old theOry-anything will
10 fer a primary schools effectualIy
exploled, and that, in no other depart
ment, was mere caro- or anxiety mani
3. fes,el as to the future welfare of It's pu-
pills; and fine progress are they making:
many Of them, being through their
.riuers, will commepce the next term
with new readers. Believing the prima-
Y room to be of such great Importance
in education, we naturally spent the
larger portion of our allotted period
there, aud timo and space would fail in
dominating the many thoughts crowding
apon US as we sat listening to the sim
pie, but appropriate, exercises. How
yariel the characters exhibited by the
little curly heads upon the small forms
before us. Who can tell their future
lestinyl Truly, the child is father of
he man."
Next into No. 8, in charge of Miss
LEVITT. From what we saw during
osr short stay, we should infer that this
Department was not behind the others,
either in subordinatiop or interest taken
in the studies pursued. Wo were much
Pleased By the quiet, lady-like dcport-
meut Of the teacher, and should Judge
she was beloved by most, if not all, of
her pupils.
Stepping across the hall, we found
ourself in No. 4, Miss HONEYWELL teach
e. A class was reciting in geography;
hot by the old-fasbioned method of
questions and answers, but by topics,
which seemed to be an excellent way of
fixing localities indelibly in the mind of
the student. For instance: a pupil, in
rotation, is required to name q principal
fTcr in some given State; then tell
|hero it rises, its general course, and
Fhcro it flows. After he has finished,
tue class may correct if necessary. And
so with the mountains, tho towns, etc,
until whole State is reviewed, and
thon another is taken up in tho same
manner. Miss LoNGwELL seems to have
correct theory Of teaching, and a
practical way of carrying it into effect.
Up stairs, directly above No. 1, is No.
2, presided over by Miss HATCH, for
mer pupil of the school. This was very
much like No. l, excepting that the
school-room having lost mu Oh of its nov
city to the children, by reason of longer
atendence, they were more restless and
nIsehievOus, requiring great firmness and
patience on the part of the teacher.
Indeed, it must be a genuine love of the
Doslo profession which prompts Miss
HATCH TO continue in the arduous duties
Which she has taken upon herself.
We found our way into No. 8, Mr..
LEFT principal, in time to hear aportion
u Inc exercises in composition and dec
a = and arc happy to state that
'neso important branches, SO shanefully
neglected in many schools. receive
f,Oler share of attention. They passed
VI III manner c:editable both to teach
Ct and pupils.
gratifying It must be to principal.
a'' has the welfare and interest of the |
-,l0oI at heart, to have the aid Of such n !