New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-31
PRACTICAL COURSE IN THE SCHOOLS.
,vr,o~, At npAuMAR SCHOOL NO. "A.

Tho reception of the Female Department or
Grammar School No. "a, Em-st near Leonard 'ook
place on Thursday afternoon The exercises "ere vi
interes and exceedingly gratifying both to the
Commissioners and to all present. Inc course Oh STUDY
I'm this school has been recently revised nvc STUDIES
stricken from the course. leaving everything essential
and vet making for the Introduction Of branches
of Immediate practical value to the pupil. Hitherto.
the course of study in all the female Grammar Schools
has looked only toward fitting the scholars to enter the
Norman College and prepare themselves Tor tcachng'
But as profession crowded, 1t being impossible
to find situations for all graduates, and so many
who have fitted themselves for teaching have little
or no aptitude for the work. Mr. Riddle suggested that
in some schools other professions be taught and
the pupils be prepared at graduation to support them
selves by shorthand reporting embroidery sewing
teaching music and in other ways to be discussed here
after The Board Of Education approving the sugges-
ton 1t was laid before the principals or the various
schools, and Miss McCOsker, Principal OF Grammar
School No. A. offered department the scene OF the
first experiment Mrs. Eliza b. Burns, so wen ana so
widely known q teacher Of photography voiuuteered
to teach classes 10 shorthand. giving hall an hour
twice o week to the work. The experiment so iar
promises abundant success.
The exercises opened with singing by the SCHOOL,
after which Mr. Rexford teacher Of music in the Sixth
Ward schools examined the four classes In the rud'-
ments Of music The instruction has been thorough and
progressive. Tho pupils sang at sight by letter. Dy
note and by number exercises written on the Doard'
which were entirely new to them, proving that
they perfectly understood theoretically and practically
the principles OF vocal music Many OF the older pupils
can read at sight quite difficult pieces rendering them
with and The vocal and instrumental
music which filled third Of the time, was character
lied by sweetness expression aud TASTE and was very
pleasing all present The most interesting feature Oh
the occasion the examination OF the Glasses III
photography by Mrs Burns. They have received ID an
less than hours instruction. and have learned IN that
time to read aud write words consisting OF one c0ns0
Dant sound accompanied by one or more v0welS WOrds
ending with IL different cOnsonant elements ana words
written with only the primary or apna3eueai Gu nc
the that every member or the classes voluntarily
gave time which they might have spent IN play 10
Fridays lesson. Mrs Burns has mastered
in succession system OF photography that mas
appeared the last % years. and has WITHIN rev years
perfected system OF shorthand especially su,,ed or
this exercise WILL by the time the course OF acauclc
study completed, enable the pupil 10 read ana write
shorthand with perfect facility.
been made up by the pupils into are 10
distributed the needy during the approaching
Winter The sewing Is neatly and thoroughly DONE III
Is lamentable fact that many young ladies OF accom-
plishment do not know how to sew and equally 10 be
regretted is the fact that children OF the
classes have opportunity to learn. But In this
school, and Ii Is to be hoped In other schoos aiso the
needed instruction will be hereafter regularly given
The ex periments thus introduced by Mr.. Riddle COM
mend themselves at once TO every practical phllan-
thropist. American cities are full OF women VINO are
compelled their own support and yet have never
learned do well any thing. Instruction III inc
industrial arts schools will In time senslDy
diminish the increase the number or skilled
wOrklngwomen. After cODgratuatory addresses from
Commissioners and members or the Board VINO were
present Mr. Riddle stated In few welichosen words tne
objects Board in thus enarging and varying the
courses of study in the schools ana exessed hso o
lowed tue change.