Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-21
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Ithas been my good fortune to be present
a. the examinations with which the public
schools of the city have just closed for
holiday vacation. If you viii permit me,
would like to give your many readers few
thoughts suggested by wha. passed under
my notice.
FIRST. The general good order of the
different rooms il moi surpassed in the State
OF Illinois. 1t is indeed rare to find schools
where the pupils so uniformly perform all
the duties allotted to them with such dignity
and hearty good will. saw no evidences
OF that "nttering" and frivolity so annoying
to teachers and detrimental to success. All
seemed inspired with desire to do as well
as possible. Superintendent, teachers, and
all Interested, are to be congratulated. And
this success is not peculiar to examination
day" l have noticed il before.
SECOND. The ROTATIONS and examina-
tons showed patient and careful training o u
the part Of the teachers and study on the
part OF pupils. The answers were given
distinctly and clearly,s and with q promptness
which evinced q thorough knowledge of the
subjects passed over. There seemed some
enough real knowledge; but remem bered
that the papils are young and not able to
cope with the subteties of reasoning by
which many of the facts they gave so readily
were established. The reflective stage will
come on apsoe.
In the reading exercises noticed with
much pleasure, the distinct articulation
The general infection and emphasis were
such asst show that the pupils appreciated
the subject OF the lessons, and we're quite
satisfactory but "the battle is more thar
half won" when children are easily heard
, and understood. Hence, the pleasure with
which l listened to their clear, deGnit,
euuncistion.
The examinations in arithmetic shovel
that more attention is given to the analysis
OF the subjeet-to the principles involved
than to the rules for the opera
tons. In the Grammar grade
especially, the question was not "How2
e but "Why" Ii seems to me that this i,
D well-tor principles once clearly understood
!, and much surer possession than tn
g "how" to perform an operation withou
knowing the treason Why"
The examinations in geography were n
,. less worthy of commendation. The pupil
we're ready and prompt-"bounding,' "lC
eating and describing" with great accu
racy. l could have wished that time ha
= been given for the pupils to sketch til
maps Of states and counties districted, de
IT scribing aud defining as they sketchec
2 The number Of really good maps on th
g black boards showed that fair profcieno
has been attained in this subject
y While it may seem insidious 20 distir
guish BY name where sll are so good,
II cannot refrain from mentioning the exc
B. cises in arithmetic BY Miss Linn, aud Mr.,
1t Robinson; in reading by Miss Patten; j
q geography by Miss Kellogg; IN spelling b
Miss kirkpatrick; in counting by Mis-
Sayery and Miss Clark in natural philosc
=. ply BY Miss Valentine; as entirely success
. full, think the people of Rock Island AT
J, fortunate in having the services OF such q
Or efficient corps of teachers as is now en-
ir ployed in their public schools, from the Hie
h, School uprGrd. They are no less tortuust
" in having judcious and intelligent Supe1
intendent, and an efficient School BoarC
. | shall long remember the visit with plea
1t ure. Yours truly,
SoCRATEs