The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-03-13

Systematic instruction Is now commenced In the
nrst year Success, however, In these preiimina-
~ steps is much more dependent upon the exam
pIe the teacher may set in her blackboard writing
daily than on the repeated analysis Of letters In
our exercises VIC have discarded the printing pro-
cess and conne ourselves 10 script using only the
smsll letters with beginners Pen, ink aud copy
book arc given them the third year; previous 70
this they uscd the slate and blackboard Our re-
marks on reading applicable ~ well writing;
while some will make elegant penmen, others,
with the same practice, will never write more
than legible hand.
The critical analysis OF sentences Is not attempt
ed until we reach the higher primaries, or 6th,
eth and sth grades. The use Of the various ele-
ments Of q simple sentence Is taught IN the sth
and 9Th grades The work Is 30 arranged that
when pupils are promoted to the high school, the
rules Of syntax are taken up in detail and the ex
tended analysis Of simple and complex sentences,
the construction OF the infnitive and Psrticiple,
with all the technical points in grammar are In
turn met. While It Is quite impossible to deter
mine to what extent pupils will be benefited by
our primary course In Language, ii Is evident that
desirable progress Is being made
HIGH SCHOOL.
SPACE will not admit Of my going into detail OF
the satisfactory work being doae in this DEPART
ment, and n I intend speaking Of the high school
in my report for the next quarter, Will only say
briefly that the work is shaped that pupils are
working to parpose and accomplishing most sat
isfactory results We attempt thoronghness in all
our work and seek to constantly keep prominent
before our pupils the Importance Of thorough
work and independent thought; Of laying deep
aud broad the foundation of true manhood com
bining both intelligence and virtue. Our third
year class, composed Of May Throckmorton,
Grace pope, Clemmie Davidson and win Throck-
morton, will complete the prescribed course by
the close Of the year, at which time We expect to
be able to graduate them by WAY Of encourage
ment 70 our graduates We have An understanding
with the re.ident Of the Kansas state Universe
t. by which all pupils completing our high school
course receive credit for the same which is equiv
slenl % two years spent at the University.
PROMOTION
While the course Of study assumes the promo
ton Of pupils a, the close Of the year, we have
thought il advisable aad Ia justice to pupils to
promote OF the primaries at the close Of this
term 4 careful study OF the situation has con-
WINGED me that great care must be exercised in
this irregular promotion. In many schools the
upon their ability TO read and their comprehen-
zion Of numbers. The danger is that many inn
portsnt things will be neglected to push others.
TO push, crowd and cram little children, directly
or indirectly is both unwise and cruel 1t matters
little how the pressure Is applied. whether 1t he
the efforts of the teacher the wishes OF the parent,
| the ambition of the pupil-the result Is the same
IMPORTANCE OF STUDY
L.; IL. l..,-a bon ,,l& In.
the methods of teaching within the last ten years
astoni-h ali who have taken the trouble to give
| the matter even cursory examination The dull
monotony of school work has given place to bright
healthfu life; the child studies and learns because
know ledge is attractive; everything within reach
which will quicken. interest and hold his atten-
ton i, eagerly appropriated to his USE and the re-
! suit is what might be expected Yet eide by side
with our greatest success lies greatest danger
The old f. .hioned district school did one thing
comn,endable-it taught its pupils to use books
with our better methods Of teaching with oral in
struction, proved beyond dissent to be the most
efficient in developing the childish mind, the dan
ger is in the lower grades at least, that the chill
dren fail to learn the use Of books. They will
accomplish much more, and gain II 40 much
easier, that teacher looking only to the absolute
knowledge gained will unconsciously ignore the
| books and lead the children 10 rely wholly upon
her Conscious of this have worked TO have
the children study, to learn from books, to heII
| themselves. We require no impossibilitie' OF
them, yet we do require them TO do what they can,
to think indepently of their teacher The world 5
lore is stored in books, and the power to extract
| II from them is greatly to be desired 1hisPowe'
We recognize one Of the aims of instruction
The design of the study Of books is two-fol-first
to secure the right action Of and the power to con-
centrate the mind and absorb the subject matter
second, the acquisition of knowledge
| SUMMARY.
Whole number enrolled for quarter, $50.
Average attendance for quarter, 6el