Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-08-08
tematize the work of the country

schools.
PUPILS EXAMINATIONS.
During the latter part of the winter
term ! held a series of examinations
for the purpose of testing the work of
the pupils in the higher classes of the
country schools. | furnished the ques-
tons, and with the assistance of teach
ers, conducted the examinations. AZ
erthe examinations which were mainly
written, | hooked over the work and
reported to the individual pupils the
standing attained. These examina-
tions were well attended, three hum
dred pupils taking part in them. One
hundred, and ninety-three of the pupils
examined passed a creditable examina-
ton and were awarded certificates of
merit. This certificate entities the hold
Ell to the privilege of attending a county
examination held in Port Huron. This
year the examination referred to was
held on Saturday, May Bird. Sixty
seven eligible candidates appeared
fOrty-two of whom successfully passed
thorough examination over the COM
mon school subjects, and were award
ed diplomas of graduation from the
common school course of study.
This plan of examinations will un-
doubtedly be carried out next year as it
has proved wonderful stimulus to
good work in the schools.
A circular to school officers will be
issued in few days, requesting them
to close the fall term the Friday before
the week in which Christmas occurs,
and the spring term the last Friday in
June On these dates, questions for
term examinations should be furnished
by this Office to every school.
With the aid of these examinations
in addition to the reports and records
above described. it is possible to carry
out a course of study; without these
aids it is not.
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.
The Institute held as Fort Gratiot
commencing July eth and ending Au-
gust 1st, was the largest ever held in
the county; the enrolment reached two
hundred and thirty. The teachers and
pupils in attendance were enthusiastic
and studiOus We are under Obliga-
tions to the Department of Public In
structiOn for sending us such able in
structors as Prof. O'keefe and Supt.
Smith proved themselves to be.
More professional work was done in
this Institute than usual. From three
to five classes per day were devoted to
mental philosophy and to principles
and methods of teaching.
APPARATUS.
Eighty of our schools are furnished
with dictionary, thirty-slX with maps.
thirty-One with globe. and sixty with
q physiological chart. 1t is needless to
say that every school should be furnish
ed with these articles. Many rooms are
not properly supplied with blackboards
although they can be made easily and
cheaply. and are of the utmost import
ance. 1t is certainly poor economy not
to furnish the articles named BECAUSE
they are tools to the teacher. and can
not fail TO increase her efficiency. Ar
rangements have been made whereby
all apparatus can be purchased of
wholesale houses directly by school Off
GERS, at wholesale rates.
TREES AND GROUNDS.
During the first part of April, pub
lished pamphlet of Arbor Day eXer-
cises for the use of the schools in plant
ing trees. The expense of printing and
mailing this pamphlet was paid by Port
Huron merchants who advertised in 1t.
These exercises were used in many
schools, and large number of trees
Were planted.
In sixty-fve districts the school
grounds are in poor condition. In sixty
eight districts the out-buildings were
not found to be in suitable shape. 1t is
clearly the duty of directors to see that
out-buildings are kept IN proper condi-
tion, and IL is to be hoped that more
care will be exercised in this respect in
the future.
PHYSIOLOGY AND HYGIENE.
In one hundred and twenty-five of
our schools | found physiology and by
giene taught as provided by statute.
In those districts which were delin-
quent in this respect, invariably call
ed the attention of school officers and
teachers to the law requiring this sub
ject to be taught. The statute makes
it mandatory upon district boards to
provide instruction in this subject, but
fails to provide specific penalty for
1t seems necessary
for the Legislature to provide such pen
atty before the law can be fully en-
forced.
TEACHERS.
1t is certain that the work of our
teachers is improving from year to year.
But few cases of failure have been
found. From seventy-fve to eighty
per cent of our teachers are products
of our common schools, hence it appears
that the surest way to improve the
teaching force is to improve the schools
that produce the teachers. For this
and other reasons heretofore given the
cooperation of township and district
officers is earnestly asked in grading and
systematizing the work of the schools
and in carrying out effective plans of
examination and supervision. tits evil
dent to the student of education that
new era is dawning for the much
neglected country school. Let us be
active agents in bringing about all re-
forms that tend toward a progressive
and sure development of good system
of country school education.
Very respectfully,
Z. +. LAW.
Sec. County Board of School Examiners.
mAs <Ds -