The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-01
REVIEWING THEIR WORK.
CLOSING EXERCISES AT THE MAR.
KET STREET SCHOOL YESTERDAY,
Indications Apparent In Everything That
the Methods of Instruction and Per-
severance Of Pupils Has Boen the Rule
During the Season.

for eight long months, as he left the Mar
ket street school building yesterday noon.
Pm so glad we have vacation" re-
marked his sister in more subdued,
though none the less happy tone.
Yes, the public schools have closed and
the average boy and girl are happy,
This has been an cventiul year in the
history OF the public schools Of Memphis.
One OF the handsomest school buildings in
the whole country has been erected. The
means to build others has has been or will
lie secured. New methods of teaching
have been adopted and new branches OF
study added.
The work during the past year has been
more than satisfactory. The results OBJ.
tanned have been greater than in any pre-,
yious year of Memphis school history.
The teachers have taught with patience
and perseverance. They have given TO
their methods such plain and practical
illustrations that the very youngest could
not fail to comprehend and understand tho
lessons before them. The pupils have
studied hard, with an earnest endeayor TO
reach the goal They, both teacher and
scholar, have worked with a zeal that
could not help but crown their efforts with
success.
Those who attended the commencement
exercises of the High School graduating
| class at the thca,er Thursday evening saw
what could be done with special training
Those who visited the closing exercises at
| the Market street school yesterday saw the
average result OF the years work in the
grammar and primary grades.
Those who were not present at the ex.
erclses OF these two grades missed one of
the rarest treats OF their lives. The teach
crs, parents and children can all feel
proud of what has been accomplished In
these grades during the year. The exer.
cscs did not consist of what ordinarily
make up school program. While there
were declarations and music, the princi.
| pal feature OF the entertainment was tho
class recitations. The pupils OF II whole
room would be reviewed in the work OF
the past year. To attempt TO comment
! upon any individual class or pupil would
be unjust. They were all perfect. Yes,
| perfect; for when an individual tells every
thing lie is asked without the lcas; hesita-
ton, and tells all there is TO be told on the
I subject, he is perfect. This was done BY
J every boy and giIl in the whole building.
What made the exercises so deeply IN
tcresting was not only the manner in
which questions were answered, but the
questions themselves. They were not the
Gterco.yped questions and answers found
in text books, but practical every. day
subjects. The pupils had not been drilled
especially for tie occasion, rs 1t could be
easily seen that every child thoroughly
understood what he was talking about.
aud each member OF the class was ready
~ answer any question given il.
A class OF very small children wcrc bet
ter posted on tho topography, resources,
manufactures aud natural and physical
conditions OF the State OF Tennessee and
the Guy Of Memphis than ninc-,rnths Of
the citizens. la fact, what they did not
know aud under tand about this subject
/ did not appear In the examination. Two
classes Ia mental arithmetic would make
good hank clerks hide their faces in MORT.
lcaiion.
One noticeable feature Of the exercises
was the clear enunciaton and the distinct
articulation Of all. This has been made a
specially 10y all the lcachcrs aud Is COM
mcndablc. Tho elocution OF some Of the
little ones was superb, and shows that
reading las had excellent teachers.
One OF the exercises consisted OF a mum.
Der Of children with the American lag in
their midst speaking Of their love aud all
Grafton for their countrv's colom A North
orn Republican who was present was 30
much affected that tears rolled down his
checks in torrents. lie explained his deep
feeling by saying that the sight OF little
children IN the South, many OF them chill.
drcn Of eX-Coniedcratos, claiming allcgi.
anco 10 the old nag. WIS more than lao
could stand aud lac was unable TO control
himself
Tho exercises In the High School room
| were Of n different nature, but no less inter.
csiing. Ia this room was shown the
works Of the teachers Of clocu,ion aud
| music. Not only wera the pupils prof.
cicnt IN the science Of emphasis and nr.ic.
ulation. but they understood the ART Of
! facial expression. The yOcl! solo, cit Tor
Tat" by Miss Aline Thompson, deserves
especial mention. She has rich, clear,
smooth tone, aud understands how a. use
the voice 20 advantage. Her facial cxprrs.
sion and her impCronati0n OF the Gypsy
| girl was "a near perfection as could posi-
| bly, he reached by girl Of her ayc. She
| deserved the encore she received.
One Of the special features Of the past
year has been the teaching Of music By
! Miss Lydia Creighton. Previous Ia this
year music had not been taught In the
| public schools Of the city II was doomed
| advisable 10 make this one ~ the branches.
aud Miss Creighton was sent o. Boston To
study the lloli system Of teaching music.
| The rcsultoi her first years work has bccii
exceptionally good. Tho pupils Of The
primary are able 70 sing ai sight, and those
In the higher grade can carry the different
parts very credimbly. Tho secret Of this
work l., the pupil Is not taught the Do.llo.
MI nj first, but learns the notes by ear.
| They are taught 10 think the sounds before
thoy soc IL. They ct mcuttl conception u
sound before they really know what
music h. While the pupils have done
well In this branch during tho year, they
! will do better IN the future. Only one
room a week las been visited during the
year, hut next year arrangements will DO
made whereby each teacher will continue
the work laid out by Miss Creighton In
her visits.
The citizens Of Memphis may congm,u-
late themselves on the years work. They
may feel satisfied that the instruction Of
the youth II the city IN IN good hands
supi. Collier has shown himself 81 bc the
right man IN the right place. lie pos.
fcsscs tie necessary executive ability
to make aud carry on q successful
school. lie has gathered around him q
corps VI teachers that viii rank with any
IN The North ~ South. lie has, Will tie
assistance 81 these teachers and parents,
made the public schools Of Memphis a
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