Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-24
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Visiting the Adams aud Jefferson Depart
ments-Progress of the Pupils.

OUh 1CDAxO oSAOOACs
Visiting the Adams aud Jefferson Depart
meuts-Progress of the Pupils.
Tho month of March, according to custom.
has been set apart as visiting time" to the
public schools by the patrons. During yester-
day and the day before the visitors were not a
few in number, the pleasant weather inviting
them out. The GLOBE got into q line of such
visitors and found the way to
THE ADAMS SCHOOL.
Here the children were engaged in their ordi-
nary duties. Miss Hand, principal, assured
the visitors that no preparations were made be-
yond what was customary for the days lesson.
Thereupon several classes were put through an
ordinary turn at geography, spelling and the
like, and acquitted themselves WELL
At 2:30 o'clock the children were gathered
together in Miss Patients room, the
largest aud ARREST and the visitors
were treated to very pleasant display in q
modest way. The children were ushered in to
music played on the organ by Miss Mollie Pep
per, one of the pupils, and keeping time to
the tune were marched to seats, and seating
themselves at signal the exercises began.
The principal feature was reading match
between the Fourth and Fifth grades The
Fourth grade class was conducted BY Mrs Dea-
con.
The scholars did admirably, reading with
much expression and animation; the only
fault, perhaps, was too great uniformity, or a
lack of individuality. All read with exactly
the same expression, emphasis and infection,
indicating that the class has been given too
much concert work.
The fifth grade, of which Miss Hand was in
charge, next followed IN the contest. The class
read selection from a boys and girls
-Iol L.
seemed interested in their work and read with
an apparent comprehension of the rules of elo-
cutlon.
The contest was interesting, and on the
whole the victory can in justice be awarded to
the fourth grade, Eva Gauthier, Charlie Seely,
George Smith, Rhoda Smith, Gertie Van Duzee,
and George Thiele being perhaps the best read
ers. In the fifth grade Master Fred Twomley
was undoubtedly the best reader, as in fact he
was OF both classes.
The singing which followed, to organ accom-
paniment, conducted by Mrs Deacon, was par
ticularly pleasing. The selections were much
better than those usually sung in primary
schools. The suggestion. however, is made
that a couple of the selections sung had better
be dropped, az the music is pitched too high
for the youthful voices, which strain them
selves in properly rendering them.
The GLOBE can with satisfaction declare that
many improvements are visible in the school,
in its management, ETC., which have taken
place since the last visit by the GLOBE, of
which due mention was made. Undoubtedly,
this was largely due to the board of education
wisely determining to relieve Miss Laura Hand,
the principal, of class supervision, thus giving
her an opportunity of exercising constant care
and attention over the whole school. Alto
gether the visit was satisfactory, and one which
may be recorded in the statement that the
Adams school is good as the best of our pub
lie schools.
THE WASHINGTON SCHOOL,.
No sooner was this building entered than it
was recognized as of old. 1t is thoroughly out
order; the rooms are small, dark and dingy,
and the effort of teachers to enliven the rooms
with pictures or black board concentrations,
only make the general sombreness more ap-
school is as it was, pestilential
hole into which arc crowded 800 little
children, the present number enrolled. The
yard is also in very bad condition, being SO
muddy that it is really unfit tor the children to
play in. But all this has been written of be-
fore, and the board of education has been urged
to do something to remedy these evils. While
new school houses are perhaps a necessity, the
old ones should not be allowed to become tum-
ble-down ruins.
There was quite an attendance of visitors,
who seemed much interested in the exercises
and method of instruction. These were con-
Quoted according to the usual programme
reading. spelling, ETC., and the youngsters
were not embarrassed, and accomplished their
work in a straightforward manner.
A reading lesson by the Third grade, in Miss
Wright's (the principally room was interesting in
the fullness of voice with which the
pupils pronounced and THE apparent under
standing which they had of the subject. Be-
fore reading the pupils were put through a
metaphysical drill, which was novel to the
visitors, and one of apparent good in both a
physical sense and to give volume to the voice.
An exhibition of drawings on states by some
of the smallest urchins was a creditable dis
play in accuracy of figure, with
here and there an attempt
at ornamentation. The children are particu-
larly interested in this study, and accomplish
very good results. All the rooms were visited,
and it was discerned that good order prevailed
everywhere, the discipline being of the exc
emplary, kindly style, which wins the children
to obedience. The Washington can be styled a
model primary school.