Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-23


their abundance. II.
THE FAST YEARS WORK IN our HIGH AND
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS THE BRANCHES
TAUGHT AND METHODS PURsUED-A GEN
ERAL REVIEW AND SUMMARY OF THE RE-
SUITS ACCOMPLISHED.
The present week closes another year of
our public schools, and the High and Gram
mar school examinations now In prog
ross at the town ball will give good gen.
eral idea Of the altainments ofthe various
classes, in these grades, although the ne
cessarly brief time allotted to each recita-
ton gives but small opportunity for leach
ors 10 show the methods employed, or for
casual spectators to form correct opinion
ofthe character and extent of the drill and
mental discipline which the years work
has afforded. AS the pubic interest GEN.
tres very largely in these two schools we
think ii proper to attempt a summary of
the results accomplished in them as shown
by the reviews which have been in prog
ress during the past few weeks
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
The regular course in the Grammar school
is three years in length, and the studies
pursued include Arithmetic, Geography,
Reading, Spelling, Writing, Drawing, Sing
ing, Grammar, History of the United
States, Natural History, and Defamation.
The teachers are Miss Mary r.. Sason,
Principal Miss Emily L. Blanchard, Miss
Julia i. Roys, Miss L. Marie Palmer, AS
sstants.
In Arithmetic the course includes
French's mental and the same authors
first book in written Arithmetic, which
goes, we believe, as far as Simple Interest.
In a school which only includes children
of such ages as naturally belong TO our
Grammar schools, the quality and
thoroughness of The work done is of far
more importance than its amount as num-
bered ia the pages Of toxt book. In both
these particulars, however, the results, as
we have seen them in this school in the
past few weeks, are eminently satisfactory.
The Freshman class, under Miss Roys, are
apt and bright, well-versed in the simpler
mental processes and carefully prepared
for their next years progress. In listening
to Rotations by the Junior and Senior class
es under Miss Slasou we have been partic-
ularly struck with the uniformity of excel
lence which marks both classes, and we are
satisfied that each one of the pupils CONF
posing them is thoroughly grounded in the
principles gone over and perfectly familiar
with all the processes involved in their
practical application. The Juniors show
great facility in all operations in simple
fractions, such as reduction, multiplication,
division, etc., as we'll as in the reduction Of
compound numbers, and their progress is
every way satisfactory. The Senior class,
in addition TO The work laid down in their
text book, have received careful and contin-
Gus oral instruction in Percentage, Interest
aud Discount, with the result that every
member is perfectly familiar with all the
definitions and simpler processes coming
under these headings. With each succeed
ing year Miss Sason has steadily advanced
the grade Of her Arithmetic classes, as may
best be seen by a comparison of the exami-
nation card of this year with that of the
year in which she came here, and her pres
ent Senior class will be passed OH 10 the
High school with the opening of the next
term In greater stale of advancement than
has any presiding one. If we mistake not
these young masters and misses will be
found well fitted to enter at once on an al
gebraic course, If the committee consider it
best for them to do SO.
A careful examination of the method pur-
sued in the study OF Geography in this
school shows it to he at once thorough,
practical and comprehensive. The system
used is Guyots. The first, or Freshman
years work includes the rudiments of
mathematical, political and physical Geog-
raphy, the general map of North America,
and the New England States in detail. We
have rarely been more pleased with a reci-
tation than we were with hall-hour's re-
view, last week, OF the present Freshman
class, under the instruction of Miss Rows.
Their familiarity with all the physical char
acteristics Of New England, including State
boundaries, mountains, rivers, harbors,
mineral and other natural resources, etc.,
was complete, and their ready replies
showed an eager and intelligent interest in
the subject while, in addition TO this, their
knowledge Of the principal towns and cit
les, seats Of learning, manufactures, ex-
ports, imports, and other like details was
such as indicated the most careful oral in
struction. The second or Junior years
work includes the remainder Of the United
States in detail, with the rest of the North
American continent and the West Indies
supplemented with map drawing. The
third or Senior year takes in the other five
continents, with map drawing, and tho
years work ends with a minute study of
The Stale Qf NarmOni ipnlnHirn l,a isIa
OF the State, its natural resources, manu-
features, leading towns, etc. The Jun
Tor and Senior classes of the past year
have been in Miss Blanchard's charge, and
Doth OF them show the gratifying results OF
hard work and diligent oral instruction.
The aim in these classes, as well as in the
Freshman, under Miss Roys, has been not
only TO inslil facts and details, but to also
teach the pupils TO think and talk, and the
result has been 10 make the study of this |
important branch an excellent mental dis |
cipline. The specimens of map drawing,
under Miss Blanchard's instruction, as
shown by the two higher classes, are nu-
merous and highly creditable. Monthly
written examinations in both Arithmetic |
and Geography have been required during |
the year.
The various classes in Reading and |
Spelling are in charge Of Miss Slason and |
Miss Palmer. The drill in reading is thor |
oush and the pupils nearly all show we'll |
modulated voices. In Spelling the method |
by writing is adopted, as by this means an
economy of time in large classes is secured, |
each pupil is obliged TO spell every word,
and The plan, furthermore, is the only prac.
teal one-nearly all spelling in actual life |
being hY writing. On Iwn dnrn Of nnnI, |