Daily globe., 1881-03-10

The number of pupils admitted since
the opening of the schools in September
last is 4,357; a number greater than the
total enroilm ent of the preceding year.
In several of the schools the regularity
in the attendance of pupils and their
school work have been interfered with by
the prevalence of measles and scarlatina.
More than any previous month have
teachers been absent on account of SICK
ness. Fifteen were during the month absent
for this cause and substitutes were with
difficulty obtained to fill vacancies. All
have now recovered, however, and are
again in the discharge of their duties.
GERMAN.
The attention Of the Board is called to
the great improvement in the methods of
teaching German, now in vogue in our
schools, upon those formerly used, and
the large increase in the number of pu-
pills who desire to study German The
highest number studying this branch at
any time during the last wear was 225,
while instruction is now given to 454 pu-
pills in the four higher grades of the dis
trict schools and the High school, This
large increase indicates the greatly i'm
proved results obtained from the changes
in the methods of instruction and the
course of study made at the beginning Of
the present school year, and it shows
the greater interest felt in this depart
ment under its improving conditions
The sole language of the recitation is now
the German, and instead of spending
time as formerly, in the beginning, upon
grammatical relations which, even in con-
nection with the study of the English lam
Q6 N tho of
pills of these grades, they are at once
taught to speak and use the language
they are striving to master This method
brings pressure to bear upon pupils to
think i'm the language they are studying,
and is properly called the s.natural meth
3D." Pupils themselves find new in
terest in this study, when from the very
commencement they are able to see prac-
tical results. In view of the greater en-
thusiasm aroused among pupils studying
German, and the large increase in their
number, it would seem as if the change
made in this department were in the
right direction, and that many disadvan-
tages under which it had labored bad
been removed.
VISITATION OF sCHooS.
1t has been the custom for some years
to invite the public to visit the schools
during the month of March, with view
to awakening greater interest in them
among our citizens. The efficiency Of the
schools depends in no small degree upon
the amount of public attention that they
can command If the people are satisfied
only with the best, our schools will be un-
rivalled. Public schools should at all
times be responsive to public demands,
and should give such training as public
sentiment will approve, and no better
way can be devised for the
formation of a just opinion of the
work of the schools and for the determin-
alton of what is really demanded than by
means of frequent visits of patrons.
Here, for instance, is the experiment of
vocal music, which this year, for the first
time has been taught Systematically in
the schools. How can we better find
the feeling in regard to this instruction,
than by weighing the opinions of those
who have qualified themselves by visits
to the school rooms, TO speak Intelligent
ly of its influence.
Committees have formally been ap-
pointed sometimes by the chamber of
at the request of the board Of
and sometimes by the board
itself, TO visit the schools, and to report
upon their condition and needs, giving
for the improvement Of the
methods of instruction, the course of
study, the rules for the government of
The schools, and the sanitary condition of
school buildings.
l suggest that this spring no commit
ees be appointed, but that
| general invitation be given to
he public to visit the schools during
he next month, and to make reports CIV
ng individual views and sugges ions for
he improvement of the schools. The
eachers will extend these invitations to
patrons, and endeavor to oring them out
o see what is being done in the schools.
The pupils will during this visitation be
loing their regular work, and thus visi-
ors can Judge of the value of the instrac-
ion given In this connection, | desire
o urge upon the members of the hoard of
,ducat1on 10 visit more frequently the
several schools and inspect Their work.
t will encourage both teachers and su-
in their work if the interest
# the members Of this board would