Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-07-10

sometimes singly. sometimes in simple, origi-
nal sentences- The whole lesson ID - full
Of interest - it veil can be, every word and
idea in it are discussed fully, and the pic
lures examined with minutest care that no
detail may escape. bright clase will read
through eight or 10 first readers in a year.
ANY class is expected to read several. and to
| book of similar difficulty. and to write as
we'll As read, is the required work of the first
grade.
LEARNING ARITHMETIC.
The Quincy system of teaching numbers is
very simple compared with methods in use in
many schools. The first years work in num-
Der, is concrete, nearly altogether. The idea
10 to make the children familiar with all pos
sible combinations of small numbers; the
grade not calling for work above 10, but in
reality the classes do work 20 20. The ba
bies. as all new pupils are called, are ses to
work first with two blocks. then three, and
80 on. never taking An additional block until
each child in the class knows thoroughly
every possible combination and division of
the number taken. The blocks, or some
substitute for the sake of variety. are
used until these combinations are per-
fectly familiar, AMI the brilliant
imagination of teacher and pupil Transforms
them into every conceivable thing. They are
birds. and part Of them dy away apples, to be
sold; dolls, to be given away; pennies that
slip through holes in pockets; cats that run
after mice and leave the dear little kittens all
alone; ducks that are sure to take to water.
They are always something new and interest
ing: the interest never flags. The pupils are
encouraged to make their own examples, and
quaint and funny they are sometimes. Here
are few specimens :"I had three cents in my
pocket; l lost one cent, and my mother gave
me another, and had three cents" 'Once
had two pairs of boots, and that made four
boots | waded in the water and lost one boot,
and only had three boots left" An older
class was more ambitious 81 had 90 rabbits,
and four ran away. and l gave away one
fourth of the rest and had IL rabbits left"
''There are two mines and two over in 20"
There are four tours and three over in 10"
The little ones must think sharp for in the
midst of real examples the teacher will give
one like this: Il have four kittens and tie
ribbon on the neck of the black one. How
many kittens have II" This may seem like
trivial work, but it is work thoroughly done,
and is an excellent foundation for that which
follows in the higher grades.
LANGUAGE LESSONS.
This learning of numbers and reading and
writing are not all the children are doing;
they sing, repeat poetry in concert march,
practice gymnastics and are given object and
language lessons. The language lessons are
made an important feature. Original compost
ton. very simple for long time. is encour-
aged, or rather exacted, from the first, and
practiced daily, almost hourly.
EVERY MOMENT OCCUPIED.
So much work could not be done if any
time were lost Every moment is occupied.
And herein lies their discipline. Instead of
spending One-fourth the time in keeping
the children perfectly quiet, they spend
all the time in keeping them busy, and as
much quiet as is compatible with child's
earnest endeavor comes naturally.
The work is constantly changed so there is
no tiresOme iteration. The children are
never overwOrked, for some pleasant play
comes after each exercise.
| can't say it is as easy for the teacher.
The schools are large. and they are constant
ly teaching in the presence Of visitors; are
liable to have from half dozen to half
hundred at any time-for these outside bar
barians come in hOrdes.
All this has only been the primary work,
and the very lowest primary at that. But
from lowest to highest the work is done
on the foundation laid in the first grade,
ana the same plans are logically carrleu
through to the high school.
To know it all would take months of visit
ing and study. and volumes to tell.
The definite object of all this work can be
told in fewer words: it 10 to teach the
children to observe infinitely everything that
comes in their way to be intensely interest
ed in and to think about all they may observe;
and to be able to express, both orally and in
writing, all that they may think.
BLANCHE ID. CURTIS.