The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-08-08


es, will have ample opportunity to secure
promotion. The various branches taught
throughout the schools received due at
tention. The teaching Of composition In
the High School and Grammar grades,
spelling throughout the Grammar and
Primary schools, and reading In the low
or primary grades received special atten-
ton, because there seemed to be some-
what general deficiency in these things.
Some schools secured good results In
composition, while in others the progress
was not satisfactory. There has been a
gradual and general improvement in
spelling, and a very decided improve
ment in primary reading. hesesubjects
will continue to receive more than ordi-
nary attention. The work in the High
School and Grammar Schools has been in
conformity to the course of study. In
the Primary schools also, the require
ments of the course have been fully met,
except in the lower grades, where there
has been a want of uniformity and possi-
bly, some lack of method in The in
structions in primary arithmetic and in
other oral instruction. 1t Is much more
difficult to secure systematic work in
these oral instructions in the lower grades
than when text books are used as in the
more advanced schools; and 1t is also
more difficult to secure uniformity in the
work, because there are more depart
ments of the lower grades than of the
higher. During the coming year special
efforts will be made to promote to the ut
most the efficiency of the Primary
schools. Not only is it of the greatest
importance that the methods and charac-
ter of the instructions, and the moral
training in the lower grades should be OF
the highest order, in view Of their bear
ing upon the progress and habits OF the
pupils when reaching the more advanced
grades, but we are still more forcibly
impressed with the importance of the
Primary schools, when we consider
the fact, that majority Of the children
who enter our schools receive all their
education in the primary departments.
Many of them, indeed, are permanently
withdrawn before they are through the
primaries. While this is wrong, it never
theless has been true in the past, and un-
doubtedly will be so in the future. The
Primary Schools demand the very best Of
teaching and training power.
MUSIC.
There is no exercise in our schools into
which the pupils enter with more pleas
ure and enthusiasm than music. The IA
cility with which the pupils read and ex'
cute music is really surprising. Even
the little folks in the lowest primaries
read their exercises with ease. The study
of music is valuable not only as science,
but it affords pleasant and healthful re-
lief exercise in school, and by the concen-
tration of thought which it cultiVates, il
promotes progress in other studies. The
pupil is trained to see quickly, to think
rapidly and accurately. Agassiz, the great
naturalist, once said to a pupil, "Youl
great deficiency as a naturalist Is severe
precision of thought; go and take lessons
of good teacher of music" Music is
success in our schools.
WRITING AND DRAWING.
In my last report I urged the employ
ment of a special teacher Of writing and
drawing, and gave reasons for my views,
A teacher was employed at a salary oi
$500, to give instructions in both of these
branches. This action met with consid'
erable opposition, and if l am not mis-
taken, came chiefly from those who advo-
cate practical education. Surely wri-
ting and mechanical and industrial draw
ing are practical subjects; none are more
practical than these. The cost of special
instruction in these two branches for the
entire year was little less than twenty
four cents per pupil. The improvement
in writing alone fully justifes this ex-
pense, The pupils are taught writing in
the lowest primaries and throughout all
the grades. At the end Of the irst.year in
school mostcan write quite. .legibly on slate
or on paper, with pencil, 1t may be too
soon to form acorrect opinion of the work
in drawing. Nearly two months elapsed
before this work was fairly started. The
results thus far have been quite satisfac-
tory. Some schools and many individual
pupils have made remarkable progress.
THE UNGRADED DEPARTMENT.
The establishment of this school, last
year, was an experiment. The results
have far exceeded our expectations and
prove the necessity for such department.
1t is not necessary to re-state the reasons
for the organization of this school. Ma
nv attend here. at least part