Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-05-11

Friday, June 6, principals Of 7th and 9th
grades.
General meeting Saturday, A. NJ, June z.
Teachers will be paid Tuesday, June Sd, 1879,
from 80 to 5 o'clock P. NJ.
EXAMINATIONS.
Following the above, the superintendent
announced that examination for promotion
in all the classes would take place in the
following order:
Arithmetic Monday, June %.
Geography Tuesday, June, "a.
Spelling and Language--Wednes
June 25.
History and General Lessons Thursday,
June 26.
Oral examinations of the First and Second
will begin Monday, June 9.
THE HIGH SCHOOL EXHIBITION.
The committee appointed to select pupils
from the senior class to take part in the
graduating exercises or exhibition at the
end of the present term, reported the follow
ing assignments for excellence in scholarship.
1. Eugene McGrorty -Valedictory.
2. Henry Mervill-Salutatory and English
Grafton.
4. Nellie Ford-Essay.
The following parts we're assigned for ex-
cellence in English composition:
l. Lizzie Askew-Essay, Progress
2. Carrie Chaffee-Essay, t'The Poetic APP
probation of Nature
8. Henry Randall = Defamation, ':The
Mother of the Gracchi."
4. Samuel Sewall-Declamation, 'Cleo-
patra's NEEDLE
The committee also reported that the fol-
lowing essays deserve high commentator
for the excellence of the ideas which they
advanced, and the grace and style in which
they we're composed:
/. ''Means and DEMONSTRATION by
Henry Nicols.
2. "Gifts'-Written by Lille Quinby.
3. Light and Shadows Written by Alice
Boyden.
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The regular exercises of the day were in
troduced by an essay by Miss Cummings
who selected as theme, "Our public
schools or more properly plea for their
existence, usefulness and benefits conferred.
| Miss Cummings essay was an eloquent and
able review of the benefits of knowledge,
history being taken in confederation
| of her opinion. She traced the
rise of historical nations to fame, power and
position, and showed advancement was made
through the medium of intellectual cultiva-
ton. The essayist in applying her research
to our country or system of education, pre-
scented both the opposition to the system,
noting the prevalent arguments, and
the manner in which the system was advo-
Gated and even urged to afford higher edu-
cation. In response to the opposition claim
that it untitled the ordinary boy or gave him
distaste for work, she contended that he
acquired application and habits of industry
by the course of study enjoined. She failed
to see why or how idleness could be
acquired in school. The essay
throughout showed evidences of thorough
study, and from it full acquaintance with
the subject, and the essay was an enthusiastic
exposition in favor of the present school sys-
| tenn, though admitting there was room for
great improvement and advancement. The
want of space precludes the possibility of
even giving brief synopsis of the admirable
address.
Miss Flower followed in recital, to which
voice and action gave most pleasing ef-
feet.
UNIFORMITY IN STUDIES.
At this stage of the proceedings Superin
tendent Wright called on the several com
mittees for report in regard to establishing
uniformity in studies and teaching through
out the schools in this city.
Thereupon Prof. Taylor made repor
upon the mode of teaching geography ant
the extent to which it should be taught. 81,
summarized his objections to the presen
method by saying there was too much
mechanical method in teaching the study
also it was too much taught; that is, toe
much time was devoted to the study of de
tails, and recitation upon isolated and incon
sequential facts. He recommended that
should be taken up in the third grade, ant
discarded in the sixth grade. At present i
was taught for six years.
This brought forth mild am
short lived discussion, during whic]
superintendent Reynolds, of Mortified
adopted report He said he had heard mum
erous criticisms on the present method O
teaching geography, but yet these same crit
! les, teachers, failed to present any other sys
tenn for adoption. Studies were instru
mental, and others were the application Q
such studies of that class. He believed geog
raphy was eninently one. The professo
: didn't believe so firmly in oral geograph,
, so called; all oral teaching or recitatio
was on the ebb, its day and the Juror for
having passed. He believed in the use {
! text books, and that they be read CAREFUL
$ and frequently under the supervision of th
:, teachers. Analytical and syntheti al plan
!. were the ones adopted, the latter being fir
introduced and resulting in complete failure
vet it was the true system, but teacher ha
! to be adapted to the process of teaching.
8 Supt. Wright thought confinement
t the text book gave result thoroughly MI
}. chanical, both as to the requirements of til
pupil, and the mode of the teacher. III
superintendent also felt inclined to favor
the full extent oral instruction.
9 Supt. Reynolds again took issue with Sup
9 Wright, and the discussion was briefly kel
:. up to the interest Of all the teachers.
0 Gen. Smith and Miss Stanley submitte
+ reports respectively upon the methods
q teaching arithmetic and grammar. Bot
) reports dealt with the subjects in marn'
peculiarly interesting to the teachers. Mi
Q Laura Hand closed this feature Of the day
70 proceedings with report upon the art
i teaching spelling Understandings.
d The formal or technical part
q the exercises were pleasantly interrupte
J. with q song from Miss Emma Haggert
l. She selected the grand old song, Crooked
It the Cradle of the Deep and sang it with e
IF preston and most melodiously. At t
Ii close of the exercises, being requested
IS. several of theteachers, she favored her aut
ence with second charming vocal sele
If ton.
n. On the whole the exercises we're of
~ nature peculiarly interesting to teache
n The reports submitted and briefly referr
d to above, contained suggestions of imp'
se lance, and are steps in the effort to harmc
a oS ize the manner of teaching throughout
no city, SO that advancement from one grade