Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1890-08-25


mer school at Santa Monica, under the
efficient management of Prof. E. P.
Rowell and DIR. A. w. Plummer, closed
its three weeks session on August 1st.
1t is probably owing to the fact that the
summer school is newcomer in Cali
fornia, that the attendance was not so
large as the management deserved.
However the numbers were sufficient to
make it thoroughly satisfactory in every
respect, save financially.
The faculty consisted of Prof. John
Dickinson of the University of Southern
California, Will S. Monroe, superinten-
dent of schools at Pasadena city, Mrs.
]. Powell Rice, special teacher OF music
in San Diego schools, Mrs. A. w. Plum
mer of the national school of elocution
and oratory, DIR. Leroy D. Brown of the
Los Angeles high school, formerly
president of the Nevada University
Miss Anna C. Pratt, of the college Of
fine arts, Ingham university, L. B. Law
son, special teacher of penmanship, Los
Angeles schools, Prof. E. p. Rowell,
principal OF Santa Monica schools, and
DIR. A. w. Plummer, principal of Rose
dale schools.
To those acquainted with educational
leaders it is not necessary to say that
these instructors were well chosen, be-
ing thoroughly qualified by years of ex-
perience, earnest study, and observation
OF methods in the best schools OF the
United States.
Prof. Dickinson who has made life
study of the subject, gave scholarly lee
lures on geology and mineralogy. SO
strong is his personal magnetism and
his interest in the work, and so trans
parent the language he uses In connec-
ton with his subject, that no student
could hear him once and not be filled
with an earnest desire to know more OF
the formation and composition OF the
sphere they inhabit
Believing that natural science is pro-
perly studied only through contact with
the natural object: that experiments
and observation are Indispensable to
clear conception OF the subject, he gath
rered his class about him and taught
them to recognize and classify specl-
mems according to form, hardness, etc.
and explained the difference In their
origin in so attractive manner that
as fascinating as romance.
Mrs. Rice treated the school as her
pupils and taught how to lay the founda-
ton for music during the first three
years. She believes that music should
receive no less careful attention in the
first grades than other studies. The
use OF color in the representation OF
tones was attractively presented, and
through her various methods, she con-
WINGED her hearers that music can easily
be taught in the early years of the child's
school life, and that he can then be as
easily led to recognize and love beauti-
full harmony and sentiment as can his
older brothers and sisters. Teachers
should be careful in the selection OF
music for the little ones. Much of the
rote singing is valueless or worse, while
there are many pieces such as Jean In
gelow's "Seven Times One" which
would help make their lives beautiful.
Birthdays of authors and musical COM
posers should be MISUNDERSTANDING
as a stimulus to the child's love and
reverence for music.
Mrs. Plummer gave instructions in
the elementary vocal sounds, and by
class drill explained the proper method
of teaching the same.
Miss Pratt took up elementary draw
ing, beginning with the simplest forms OF
nature, such as the eucalyptus leaf, and
gradually leading up to the more COM
pick.
Superintendent Monroe talked on
number and form, showing conclusively
the great value of association in number
work. Many questions were asked and
discussed.
The work in mineralogy, music, read
ing, elocution, and drawing was con-
tinued, during the second week. Mrs.
Rice, by successive steps, carried the
teaching of music from the primary
into the highest grades, and as this
week would terminate her connection
with the school, every member listened
attentively to her valuable instruction.
Superintendent Monroe took reading
ard literature and gave plans applicable
to the different grades.
In the matter of reading, pupils should
be taught to think and not merely
repeat words. Give them something
about which to think, by observation
teach them how to think, and train
them in the expression of thought.
The foundation for good literature
should be laid in the primary grades by
u CdreIul SOlcCIlOll VI oupplClllOHCdly
reading and the memorization of simple
gems Of thought from the best authors.
The child may not understand the
whole OF quotation now, but he can
appreciate part, and gradually, in his
later life he will recognize the beauty OF
the sentiment and his future will be
purer and better through the influence
of the thoughts Of noble minds.
Mr.. Monroe impressed on the teachers
the important fact that the good done in
this way can not be measured.
The lessons in minerals under the
instruction of Prof Dickinson continued
during the third week with increasing
interest on the part Of the teachers.
Lectures on biology, which were of as
great interest to the visitors as to the
school, were added to the Professors de-
partment of work.
Drawing, with the Prang models,
received the attention of Miss Pratt and
her class.
Mrs. Plummer conducted the lessons
in elocution.
Superintendent Monroe gave instruc-
tion in methods of natural science work,
language, geography, and sand model
ing, history and literature. A plan
of work for each study
was given. The teachers became
of one mind regarding the intro