The Press., 1889-02-07
fPrenared for The Press )

MT. Editor In the report of Superin- tendent Tarbell, of the public school sys- tenn of the city of Providence, he discusses some matters which it seems to me may we'll be called to the attention of the teach CTS, board of school visitors, district con- mittees and patrons of the schools in this town.
 MT. Tarbell has given more than the usual attention to the subject of reading in the schools of that city, as may be seen from his report on the subject, which quote:
 At the present time We are giving special to reading in the higher primary, the intermediate and grammar grades. We are trying to do other things as well as usual and reading much better. The supervision by the grammar school principals is devoted exclusively to this subject, and will be for the remainder of this school year.
 An analytical outline of the points to be observed in teaching reading has been.pre- pared and how to secure excellence upon each point has been or will be explained to the teachers and the effect of their efforts upon the individual pupils is carefully observed.
 In making this list of points to be consid- cred we begin with matters physical and ex- ternal, such as position and carriage of body, then followed exercises training the vocal or gans to pure tone and distinct speech, and at last we approached the intellectual operations involved in the recognition of words and of the thought which they singly and collectively present. Our course ends with expression, y whose elements are severally considered.
 At the present time we are just passiug from physical to vocal training. What our classes can do in this earlier stage of the work can now be seen at the schools. How oul pupils sit, stand, move to class, hold theil books and how distinctly they speak as they read, can be observed by anyone who will visit our schools. As we are just now talking special pains to do these particular things we'll, ask the committee to notice these things. Please visit the schools and if you find any class not meeting your expectations I shall be glad to be informed. If you fnd any room of pupils whose attention to these matters gratiies you, please invite your neigh bors and the patrons of the schools to visi that room and notice those exercises.
 If you will follow this work through thu year, think you will notice steady and de cided improvement each month.
 | Something of the above nature is wha l is needed in the schools of this town, anl what I should like very much to see pnt il practice.
 | In some of the schools which I am callet upon to visit, especially in the outlying districts, there is little or no attention given to position, tone or expression. Th' reading exercise is looked upon as pleas ant little episode in the afternoon and nt effort made to draw out the meaning o the author, and in many cases the pupil i unable to give the meaning of ordinar, words. Our schools are all supplied witt unabridged dictionaries, but in some case these are carefully kept in the teachers desks, out of sight and out of the reach o the pupils. The place for such book i on table where every pupil may have ac cess to it, and encouraged by the teacher to consult it, and when worn out by hard yet honest, usage another will be fur nished.
 Another matter which is given as an ap pendix to MT. Tarbell's report is the sub ject of military drill, which quote:
 "The committee to whom was referred tn resolution in relation to the introduction c military drill in connection with the boys de partment of the High School, after carefu and thorough investigation into all the detail connected herewith, respectfully submit tn following report:
 The committee have had correspondence with several superintendents ofpublic school in other cities where military drill is estat llSuCU, hIlu HI every C1SS tAcy 1dtOH Gu0 DYE tenn as being beneficial. The committee hay also visited some of the schools during tn exercise in drilling and noticed the effect had upon the pupils. It was demonstrate to the committee as to the practicability c making it part of the High School course Military training brings into action and de velops every muscle in the body, it stimulate the blood, it is conducive to thought, prompt ness and precision. It gives the young me not only practice and skill in handling arms but specially benefits them physically.
 It is no longer question of advisability i advancing this form of exercise into the Hig Schools. It Itbecomes almost necessity for tn very evident reason that our young men, dul ing their attendance at school form (uninter tionally) the habit, while at their studies, c carrying their heads forward, making then selves round shouldered, hollow chested an stopping, which has the unfavorable effect ( making them ungainly in their walk. T overcome these habits, in good measure, wi be to have the exercise of military drill. is not only healthful, but it inculcates disc lpline, obedience and respect for their seniors From frequently taking part in drill which they are required to carry themselve erect, they become accustomed to the position an naturally assume it when not under discipline. Tn interest manifested by the pupils of the Boston Hig school In military training is illustrated oy the nun drills. Of the 1400 pupils not per cent. abseI themselves from drill meetings and those are excuse for good reasons. In view of the foregoing fac your committee feel that they warranted in re- ommending the adoption of the system and the a. companying resolution to carry the same into effect | That the introduction. of the militar drill in our high school would be of gres value to the pupils have no question. A present we have no available room fc such an exercise. There are, however, tw unfinished rooms on the second floor of ou High school building. These could an ought to be finished off during the nez summer vaeatlon-one as scientific roo1 for the better study of the sciences, th other room could be used by the boys fe military drill, by the girls for calisthenics
 Aside from the cost necessary to fnis the two rooms (and finished they must b ere long to meet the demands of the schoo the actual expense for fitting up the tw rooms for the purposes specified need ne be large enough to meet any opposition { the hands of tax payers, and the improve ment which it would give to the schot cannot be computed in dollars and cents. Another crying need of our High schoe is specified course of study, with more ( less least Iron" about it, to prevent il mutilation by the hobbies of differer ohnro Tho Poot Al,o lo<