Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-04-01

The schools VIII close IN about four
weeks.
Miss Schrum's department Of the
schools is composed Of bright little boys
and girls. II is in the same apartment on
the south side of the building occupied
last year by Miss Mckinley. Her pupils
can repeat the Multiplication table with
as much ease as II they had been studying
ii for fifty years. Her room seems % be
altogether too much crowded for convent
ence, yet she succeeds in maintaining ex-
cellent discipline.
Mental Arithmetic is now taught in
the schools in the same manner as Of yore.
Miss Lizzie Campbell aud Miss Bella
Rankin each have classes in this branch,
the latter little more advanced than the
former. The usual custom is for the teach
cr TO read the question and assign ii to any
member Of the class she chooses After
the pupil has repeated the question, the
teacher will sometimes require the one TO
whom ii is assigned to give the solution Of
it TO a classmatc. This Of course demands
the constant attention of all the class
There are many bright pupils in both Miss
Campbell's and Miss Rankin's School.
Several years ago charts in reading
exercises were not so much used as AT
present. They are printed in large type
and hung in conspicuous place. From
them the pupils can read in concert the
Tsimple selections printed thereon, or, a.
the teachers pleasure, single pupil may
be assigned the task Of reading them.
MFs Annie McAAery frequently makes
use of this method in giving her young
pupils drills in the art Of reading. She is
careful thus early TO teach them the use of
the ''period, " "comma" and other "poinis''
used in reading. They show excellent
| progress.
The pupils in Miss Molly Nesbitt's
room are well advanced in the third read
er, and have attained that age when chill
dren usually take pride in performing their
duties we'll. Their manners and behavior
are quite excellent. Under Miss Ns care
ful supervision they are making great ad-
vance in their E;udiies and are receiving
instructions which will prove invaluable.
The school room over which Mr..
/ Wetzle i the presiding genius contains
many bright and studious young ladies and
/ gentlemen. Thoroughness, not the num-
Der Of branches taught, seems TO be the
prifciral aim Of the instructor. The pu-
pills give evidence that the past year has
been one Of great application. He has
charge of many of the higher classes and
shows much ability.
Miss Rose Woods has most charming
school Of girls and boys, who have the
profoundest respect for their teacher. II a
fault may be found with her scholars IL is
that they are inclined to too much studi.
business, and she has difficulty In inducing
them 20 take the necessary recreation dur
ing recess. Nothing could be more perfect
than the manner In which her class in
Mental Arithmetic recite. She sometimes
reads aloud to them, but once, the most in
trica;e problems, when any member of
the class will rise, repeat the problem
and give its solution in the minu,est de-
tails. What may be said Of the class in
Mental Arithmetic Is true of all the
branches in her charge
q h.. l. II ~
schools in the building is that under the
control Of Miss Mamie Mckinley. They
are all exceeding bright boys and girls,
and have progressed rapidly during the
past year. These pupils are now engaged
in fractions, one Of the most puzzling por-
tions Of Written Arithmetic, in which. from
present appearances, they will be quite
proficient before the schools close. They
maintain good order.
Although all the branches receive due
attention, the history of our country seem.
now TO occupy much of the time Of those
under the care of Mr.. J. NJ. Duncan.
This by him Is clothed with beauty and
interest unknown TO many schools. lie
does not con6ne The scholars within The
boundary of a single text book, but, drain.
ing deep from the wisdom of the bes,
authors on the topic which may be under
consideration, he gives his scholars the
benefit of his researches, The note book
supplants the text book In the hands of the
scholar, who thus complies for himssiif 81
herself complete epitome of history
Blackboards and many-colored crayoni
are utilized TO bring before the scholar ths
plots of great battles, the locations Of cities
towns, rivers, mountains and railroads
Thus are the scholars carried, so far as tn,
appliances at hand permit, into the YER,
midst of the excitement of past events, ant