Smyrna times., 1884-06-25

ago. They read from the chart about
pigs, cats, tin boxes, and such things.
A knowing eye could detect at once
that the teacher was of the progressive
school. She Is recent graduate of
Smyrna Public Schools; yet few in the
State are equal to her as a primary
teacher. The slate work of the pupiis
attracted special attention and admira-
ton. The smallest of the children
were given n lesson in numbers. usino
shoe pegs, colOred cards, and the
abacus for objects. Another class com
posed OF children size larger were eX
amined in Parker's Arithmatical Chart
They added, subtracted, multiplied
divided and took fractional paTts of
numbers less than eleven with ease
and readiness. Space is wanting for
extended description and criticism
The calisthenic songs, the object les
son, the exercise in form and color
the Joyous interest of the pupil. and
the living enthusiasm Of the teacher
indicated that Miss Spruance was an
unusually s1illful representative Of
what Is called the "new education -
Twenty or more visitors were pres-
ent IN the afternoon to witness the ex-
animation Of the First Primary of
which Miss X. l.. Storm is teacher
The increased number was partly dine
10 tne hlgh report Of the examinations
haue by those present in the morning
ana partly to the reputation which
Miss storm has made during the year
A marked feature of the exercises WAS
the concert recitations. The readiness
ami accuracy with which the classes
performed mathematical calculations
was surprising. Although these pupils
nave been attending school but three
or four years they added long columns
OF small figures with rapiditv. The
reading Of the children was also excel
lent. On the black board were some
credltable sketches, notably a sketch of
Il horses head drawn bv IA little how
Indeed, the methods Of the Second
4 Urinary and the First are so similar
that children passing from one to the
other need not feel the shock usually
incident to change of teachers.
When Miss Lizzie Mcdowell of the
Second intermediate stepped to the
front and said good morning" the
salutation was responded to bv fifty as
spflShtIE lttle girls and boys as ever
graccd a school room. The visitors in
creased IN numbers as the examination
progressed, but those who failed to al
tthd the examination of the First and
second Primary could not appreciate
with 50 keen Il relish the advancement
made by this class One wear 400 If
was IN the First Primary and the wear
now closed has fitted them for another
remove into higher department. So
slep by step they are marching on To
/ the High School where they will be-
iitlcd for college, if profession is de-
sired or where they will be able Ia re-
ceiNc the necessary education to enter
the arena OF the busy life that awaits
them fortified in the Fundamental
plncpies of an English education.
We can say of Miss Mcdowell rs
w ehstcr said of Massachusetts. She
needs no cncOmium." she is So well
kh"Nh 20 our people as Il disciplina-
ran and lnstructreSs that comments
are useless.
Ihls afternoon Miss Annie Douchten.
OF the First Intermediate will hold her
examination. Tomorrow Miss Emma
HouSh, of the Second Grammar. and
Friday Miss Lizzie Parrott. of the First
Grammar. This will end this school
year. and the children will enter upon
thclr vacation feeling they have earn
cd II. But the attractions of the new
school bulldingare 30 numerous, the well
ventilated rooms, the easy seats. the at
uactiNe methods of impartiug knowl-
edge TO these little ones by teachers 50
competent as the faculty, all will tend
To make them welcome the scar leaf
OF the Autumn that will again open
the doors Of these inviting halls.