Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-01-26
The Educational Column.
D l. 9e01, GO, sspt, Falling Waters, WA
THE GRADUATING SYSTEM.

tude to the Most High that begin
this communication. A few weeks
ago l was suddenly taken i'll and was
unable to continue the letters to this
column whereby expected to inform
the teachers of my plans and purpos-
es. / am glad to see the interest that
has been manifested in the education
al column and hope there are many
Others who have yet been silent that
have useful thoughts worthy of publ
city. have read all the articles with
interest, and others have read them
too. and we with one accord say well
done.
Mr.. Grim, of North Mountain, in
last weeks issue, has asked me plain
question which l shall endeavor to
answer. / am glad that this ques-
ton has been asked. The only
wonder is that it was not asked be-
fore. He wishes to know the basis
upon which the classification is to rest,
what studies and how far advanced
shall constitute pupil member Of
class A, B, &c?
Section IL, of the School Law, pre-
scrioes that there shall be taught in
the primary Schools of the State, Or
biography, Reading, Penmanship,
Arithmetic, Geography, English
Grammar, History, Physiology, and
such other branches as the Board OF
Education may direct but what per
cent. of the pupils study all these
branches? and how many master
even one half of them? The law is
more liberal in providing, than the
parent is willing to have his child
reap the benefits.
Children lose too much time from
school in the palmy days of youth. I
do not believe in sending children to
school at too young an age. The age
OF six is young enough, seven would
be better. But when the work of
study is once begun, parents should
send their children toschool regularly
and see that they study at home.
With as liberal school term as most
OF the districts provide, feel safe in
saying that if children are kept in re-
gular attendance, there is not child
in Berkeley county, who is a mediocre,
that could not complete the course at
the age of II, and many at a still
younger age.
Comparatively few go to school af-
ter they pass this age, and indeed
they should be ready for something
higher before they reach it. 1t will
be seen by this that child entering
upon its twelfth year could enter the
I'D" Gloss if prepared for it. and grad
uate at the age of sixteen.
If children have been sent to school
regularly ana have been properly
taught. they ought to be ready for the
" class at the age of ten or twelve.
And now to answer Mr.. Grim's ques-
tien | would say that TO enter this
grade, the child should be fluent
read ar in McGuffey's fourth book of
the revised series; should be study
Ing the Primary Geography, or Nit
chell's second book; should be far as
Common Fractions in Rays Practical
Arithmetic; should be just ready to
take up the study of technical Gram
mar should be able to analyze the
small letters in script type and write
fairly well; should be ready to begin
the study of U. S. History; and to
spell, after studying the lesson, nearly
all the words met with in the
Fourth Reader and to define the
same. The study of Physiology
might be begun one year later.
To graduate pupil should pass a
creditable examination in all, not a
part only, but all of the eight branch
es above named, though it is proposed
to omit an examination on Physiol-
ogy for the first three years as this
branch has just been added to the
course. Of course, any one desiring
it may be examined upon this branch
at any regular examination and have
this added to the other branches on
their diploma.
Teachers should aim to have the
graduating class practically acquaint-
ell with Rays Practical Arithmetic,
or third part +; to know how to use cor
rect language and to give a reason for
it J; to compose and write a good let
ter using correct forms and good
English to tell much about the hui
h<>1 la 10, &c l.
know the most important facts con-
nected with the history of our coun-
try; to locate countries and tell about
their government, inhabitants, occu-
patton of the people, and the products
of the soil, &C.; to read fiuently and
Understandings in any ordinary book
or newspaper, and to write correctly
all ordinary words, using the hyphen
between the parts of compound words
and a capital letter with all proper
nouns and wherever else required.
have now given what will be re-
quired of the highest grade and what
ought to be expected of the lowest.
Teachers will be able to form the in.
termediate grades from what is here
given, judging what can be accom-
plished in year by an ordinary pu-
pill and how much remains to be
done after entering the ID f" class.
Mr.. Albright in former communi-
cation, as well as Mr.. Grim in the
last, suggested the idea of teachers
meetings. This is something that L
have thought great deal about, and
had it not been for my late illness,
would have had some districts already
organized. There is no time to lose.
| hope the teachers will talk about
this, and not only talk butact. There
is much benefit to be derived from
these district institutes. You could
meet weekly or biweekly. or even
monthly and accomplish much good.