Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-01-02

perintendent Elliott of Boston, who returned
word that he would be obliged to attend ,
board meeting that morning. but woult
gladly be excused to give such information
rs he thought would be of service to us il
visiting Boston schools
Later in the morning Superintendent
Elliott politely received us in acknowledg
ment of the letter you gave us. In a few
clear, pointed and concise remarks he gave
Ills many valuable suggestions.
lie said they had been pleased with tho
work done in the Quincy primary schools
and had resolved to try the same in one OF
their primary schools. 1t was first intro
duced in September, SO they had not yet
been able TO judge of its success.
The amount of reading matter formerly
given TO the children, he felt was ludicrous,
had it not been 80 small as to be pitiable
With this thought in mind he had given
much care TO arranging suitable and interest
ing reading lessons for primary children in
pamphlet form.
As was interested particularly in primary
work, he gave me copy of each.
lie thought in this way children could be
supplied with greater and more varied
amount of reading matter at no additional
expense. From what he said | inferred he
WIS llDl Ill idNtl vi III
limited number of lessons in text book,
but preferred to secure better result by en-
tcrtalning them with fresh reading.
The pamphlet for older children is an ar
rangement of six popular tales-''Jack, the
Giant Killer" Jack and the Bean-Stalk,' -
Little Red Riding Hood, "Puss in Boots, "
The Sleeping Beauty" and Cinderella"
We spent the remainder of the morning at
the primary school to which Superintendent
Elliott directed us. | am sorry TO say that
but thing in all saw OF that school was
worth commendation. Each little child was
carefully wrappedand all were returned to the
school room for the teachers inspection be-
fore passing 10 the play ground. In disci-
pline all restraint had been removed, and in
place of each child having something to do.
nothing was assigned those not in recitation.
They soon became very restless and noisy.
There was wanting the sympathy between
the teachers and pupils that existed between
the teachers and pupils of Quincy.
Happily the impression of Boston schools
made during the morning was oblterated
by the afternoons visit.
In n grade corresponding to the Inter
mediate of Burlington schools, and consisting
of fifty boys, saw the best work rs a grade
have ever seen done.
| heard recitations in reading and geogra-
ply; heard them sing; saw their marching.
The order was military i'll character and
made one wonder if little must" was not
sometimes wholesome discipline.
The teacher and children carried them
selves erect. When they sat, they sat with
their backs TO the seats, and their shoulders
thrown back. The boys were taught to carry
their heads erect, by marching with books
placed upon them and their hands behind
them. Yet their faces We're sunny, and one
could ask for no more cheerful obedience
than they gave.
Their voices and articulation had been
carefully cultivated. The secret of obtain
ing so desirable result did not learn.
Tie voices were full, clear and of moder-
ate pitch-threc qualities rarely found and
least of all in school room. The charming
effect of these voices convinced me that more
should he done To cultivate the vocal organs
in speaking, and secure better modulated
voices in our schools.
When, ut close of school, the teacher
came before them and badc them good
night, and fifty pure, free voices, simultane-
ously and heartily responded, "Good night.
Miss Jackson" we felt sure VIC had received
a lesson in the good effects of sympathy be-
tween teachers and pupils.
FLORA L. BuTTs,
Principal North and Murray streets school.