The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1881-04-08

L TOY. OUfHttIfCfects
SIR / realized quite a pleasure, in
attending the examination of Miss Bell
Woods primary school, seventh grade,
to find il in such admirable working or
der. The scholars are well trained, and
not only versed in reading and spelling,
but taught the rudiments of politeness,
so often overlooked by both parent and
teacher Much credit should be given
Miss Wood for her efficient work, by
both parent and school board.
Respectfully, Mrs. G. w. Bennett.
To Prof. p. j. Carmichael:
SIR: Your committee, to whom was re-
ferred the matter Of examining grade four
of the schools of said city, the same being
taught by Mr.. NJ C.. Hodge, beg leave
to report the following, as a result of
their labor:
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
1. Examination in reading.
g. Examination in spelling.
RECESS
g. Song, "a Drink from the Well"
4. Examination in arithmetic. grade B.
5. Examination in arithmetic, grade A.
NOON.
g. Song, 81 Want to be an Angel"
z. Select reading.
s. Examination in language.
8. Examination in geography.
10. Singing.
II. Select reading.
IL. Singing vacation song.
PLANS OF EXAMINATION.
The teacher had prepared slips of pa
per beforehand, upon which was written
a topic, question, or problem, or sug-
gestion of work in other FORMS These
were distributed among the pupils.
When pupils number was called, he
I'D 90. 10
some times questioned by the committee.
Every fourth pupil was requested to
criticise any mistakes noticed by him, in
the three recitations next proceeding his.
GENERAL RESULT.
The reading exercise was good. Some
of the pupils were excellent readers for
their age; others above the general av-
erage, none poor.
Your committee have no criticism to
make, or suggestions to offer, other than
on the position. The body should be
erect, the shoulders thrown back, head
up, book held in one hand, Cleft pre-
ferred), the other to hang naturally by
the side. This position was not gener-
ally observed, and as it is important to
full, clear tone of voice. and proper ex-
preston, we recommend that this fea-
ture receive early attention.
The spelling. which consisted of writ
ing twenty-five words upon states, was
average. After the work had been criti-
cised and graded, the following results
were made known: Five received 100
per cent; five received 80 per cent or
more; sixteen received 80 per cent or
more, the remainder falling below so per
cent. None, however, received less than
60 per cent.
The words were selected promiscuous-
w from fbni1. raadar nd xu-ols hoz
ordinarily difficult The result was
quite satisfactory to your committee.
The singing was very good. The
time deserves mention. The expression
| should be watched closely and care taken
| that the habit Of singing without that
| peculiar spirit, which puts q certain
charm in music. is not fallen into.
In arithmetic the pupils generally
manifested proficiency in recIting the
text and solving the problems given
| them, but we are of the. opinion that
they generally fail to comprehend the
steps taken in the solutions. Your CON-
mittee are of the opinion that it is very
essential, that pupils in mathematics
should be made to know the reasons
for each step taken, and should not be
advanced until they Thoroughly compre-
bend what they have gone over. Princi-
| Piles must be taught, understood and dp-
piled.
The exercise in language was very
commendable. Constant drill work, is
necessary, however, and should be con-
tinued until the use of proper language
becomes habit. The technical part
should be subordinate to the practical,
until we can speak and write grammati-
cally with ease. We have no criticism
| to offer here.
| In geography, the pupils are certainly
bright. The examination was confined
| to the United States, of which the school
has a very good general knowledge. In
| fact, we might also say particular. for
map-drawing is particular work. and
this part of The work is quite creditable.
There is a certain philosophy in geog.
raphy that can be comprehended, even
by quite young pupils, which should not
be neglected. Facts, unsupported, are
hard to retain, but just alittie reason to
support those facts will serve to fix them
much better in the mind, and will aid
the recollection in calling them up when
wanted. Your committee offers this,
not as criticism, but as suggestion
which you, no doubt, already under.
stand
The select reading was very well rem.
dered. One selection was quite enter
tanning Exercises of this character
should be well prepared. The impres
sion "that l must prepare well if am 10
appear before an audience" should be
strongly impressed. This is where the
real value of the exercise lies.
ORDER.
The order maintained in the room was
| good. in the main. We do not think il
good plan, however, to permit pupils
to laugh at each others mistakes dur
ing recitation. The general discipline
of the school is beyond criticism, and
upon the whole, Mr.. Hodge is doing
good work. and the pupils deserve praise
, for their diligence and earnestness witt
which they performed the work assigned
them.
Respectfully submitted.
]. T. BRADLEY,
e. E. ROWLAND,
Mrs. E. w. CUNNINGHAM,
Committee.