The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-02-27
. are.t aid in their first, second and third

classes. and in this view fully concur.
In the grammar schools more essay writing mas
heen done this wear than ever before In single
wear One period week has been devoted to
exercises In writing. variety OF suDJectS nave
been given out such as oDeS;Sd and hstor a%i
cal Characters and events to be written ABOUT.
In three of the grammar classes tlle d IedcneIs ~
have been directed not to marx IIN taIn tn maze
any of these papers, but in familiar talKs 70 ikS
suggestions and corrections based upon pie'an
ing errors. ,,,,,o
While doing this work in written language
teachers are no less careful in training tneIr
pupils in the use of correct language In CONVERSE
ton.
mented by the stndy of rhetoric, Engl1Sn nlerd-
tuTe, and by translations from other languages
hedg d q tb eaa hSebgFar progress mas Dte tes
tify that the methods pursued in teaching
the youngest children to read produce wonderful
results in intelligent reading without any appar-
ent strain upon the children.
More supplementary reading Is needed in all
m This can easlly be furnished in the 5rimarT
schools by adopting the plan of circulating read
ers," i. e., OF purchasing several sets Of primary
readers for each grade, and allowing them to be
exchanged from time to time as new reading is
desired
In the grammar schools the same want can be
met by taking twenty copies of a magazine suit
able for their use, as was formerly done.
Arithnetic-Thc progress of the various classes
in arithmetic is still showing decided gain. More
attention has been given in the Grammar classes
for the past two three years to the reasons for
the processes pursued and to the review OF pre-
yi0us work. The accuracy and facility with which
pupils early learn to perform the fundamental op-
eratons in arithmetic are found to be of great
value in the higher classes where more reasoning
is required.
In my school report of 1880 were given sugges-
tons as to the prominent faults prevalent IN the
study of arithmetic. Some of these faults we are
now avoiding. We are this year using 'Colburn's
First Lessons in the higher primary and In the
fourth grammar classes a book that teaches easy
reasoning with small numbers. 1t Is expected by
some that we shall see immediate gain in arithme-
tic by the of this book. 1t is not to be forgot
ten, however, that the too early use of this valua
BILE book, and the unwise methods adopted III
teaching it, have once driven it, highly as it was
priced, from most of the schools of the country.
GeOgr0phy and History-The work in these
studies has been improving from year to year,
and the work done in them this year is better
than ever before.
Special Instruction in penmanship and drawing,
and in singing is in good hands. Much of the in
struction in these branches is necessarily given
by regular teachers and its success depends as
much upon them as upon the special teachers.
Reference is made TO the reports of the special
teachers for information respecting these branch
eS.
Industrial observation-disclosures industrial ed
ucatiOn has been brought to the attention OF cit
liens in several annual reports, and small special
appropriations were recommended last year for
this purpose, and for the establishment OF eve
ming schools, we have not the satisfaction OF be-
ing able to report any apparent progress in these
directions; These recommendations are again
respectfully renewed.
Observation-Disclosures from grade to grade that
is. from the primary to the grammar schools, aud
from the grammar to the high school, are by rule
made annually, and are supposed to be depend
ent upon the general fitness" of the pupil Ill
character, conduct and scholarship" Promo
tiOnS from class to another i'll the same school
may be made at any time by the principal with
the consent of the superintendent or supervisors"
The age Of pupils may also be considered IN
promotion" The superintendent is required to
report TO the board at the end Of the school year
the names of all pupils in the several schools who
have been in the same grade (casS) more than
one year, the reason therefor and the names Of
the teachers having charge or the same"
These abstracts Of the rules of the board are
given to show that it is the evident intention of
the board that pupils shall be regularly promoted
once year at least, and oftener if age favOrs it
and other qualifications seem to allow Since the
Intellect of the young, whether quick or slow
strengthens and natures by age, the imprOprety
of keeping dull chileren far behind the average
age of their classes ought to be apparent.
When pupils from the country, or from other
places, enter our schools they are usually found
in some respects at least, one two or three years
behind classes Of their ages; There is no good
temporarily so placed for the purpose of remedy
ing defects, in reading or in numbers for instance
they should not be forgotten, but be carried for
ward when their deficiencies are measurably
made up. The presence in classes of children
much above the average age of their class Is
prima facie evidence of lack of Judgment i'll pro
motion. Children exceptionally bright, If physi-
cally strong may be carried forward into classes
older than themselves with less danger OF harm
than will arise from the retention of older pupils
in classes much younger than themselves.
The system of examinations and rank marks on
which promotions were formerly based have,
with the approval of the board, been greatly mod
flied. The giving rank mark to every recitation,
formerly in vogue has not for the past eight years
been practiced. The test examinations for pro-
motions formerly given every month are now
given but four or five times year in the gram
mar schools, and much less frequently in the
primaries.
TEACHERS.
There are now over $50 teachers regularly en-
ployed in the public schools of Portland. These
teachers are faithful and painstaking in their
work. In the comparisons which we are often able
to make between the school work done here and
in other cities 1t is pleasant to say that the work
of our teachers is by no means inferior.
Nine OF our regular teachers have resigned and
ten new ones have been employed. Sixteen 9TH
ers have exchanged places or have been out for
considerable periods.
The permanent changes among the teachers
Will be found noted under the particular schools.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The following recommendations for the next
year are respectfully made for considerations
IA new school house for School St. district.
additional rooms on Munjoy Hill.
3-Better heating and ventilation-d. High
School House. b. Centre st. School House. C..
North School House.
A school on Crotch Island.
5-Industral Home School for truant child ren
6-Revison OF School programme.
7-Relief in number of studies in the lower
schools by occasionally emitting some of the regu-
lar studies for time.
8-To consider further the feasibility of attempt
ing manual training in connection with the
schools