The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-04
PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN.
WHAT AND HOW THEY ARE
TAUGHT IN RICHMOND.

Hat Of tho studies Pursued Instructions
to Teachers and Thor Conduct Toward
the rupiis-what Regular. STEADY
Course Comprises.
Very few persons In Richmond-thai l.,
outside Of the teachers and principals ana
the fond and patient mothers who go over
the lessons with their childrcn-haNe any
idea Of the curriculum in the city's free IN
stItutions Of learning, and what methods
are pursued for the advancement of the
cause ofcducation. Each day the scholars
assemble. lessons are said aud once year
commandments are held, and the girls
wear white frocks, and some fthem read cs-
says. and diplomas and medals are awarded.
and there is q dense crowd Of spectators
but after all there are not many who can
answer the questions, What Is taught chill
drcn in the public schools How long do
they have TO attend to pass through 10,
cOurseg What benefit j. the instructions
received for the life after school days are
over.
AGES OF SCHOLARS.
The average pupil is thirteen years Of
lowest primary grade when about sin.
passes 10 the grammar school at nine ~
ten. and leaves the High School at fifteen.
In the beginning the scholar il taught
how 10 read short words and sentences
from black board. then put ia McGnhcN =
First Reader: spelling aud writing words ls
expected. and an introductory knowlcd-c
Of arithmetic is given los counting ones and
twos on numerical frame. Calisihenics
are practised in simple manner.
The scholar passes on AFTER promotion
through the different grades and takes ZAP
history, geography, pcnmanship, pune
tuaiiOn, composition, letter writing
gramar. arithmetic. and 50 ON, until Oh.
High school is reached. Here Latiu l.
taken up (thc first half SESSION., French oi
German (aftcrwarlsD. algebra, word-analN
sis, chemistry. literature. reading, spelling.
dictation, bookkeeping, physiology, geom'-
try, &c.
THE TEACHERS.
All the teachers in service receive period
cally specific Instructions as To the way
and methods 20 be- pursued, and they are
led 10 believe that sound practical inioima
ton should De given the pupils. and ans
thing that would lead 20 mere Superficial
requirements should be avoided. In con
dncting the exercises Of the schools they
with merely hearing the recitation
Of the different classes, but 10 teac'
the subjects. and by course a
mental training 10 render the several sub
iects Of instruction familiar and interest
ing. and thus remove the numerous OIL
stacles and discOuragewcnls which r.
uuenty rctard the pupil. They are al~'
expected. in reviewing the studies, to Illus
trate in an appropriate manner thcl
application to the affairs OF lie. ana ir
qtiire the pupils 10 analyle their studle'
and give their views and opinions of then
i'm their own language. thereby testing the
correctness of the knowledge they have oh
tanned. 1t l. specially important, II J.
urged. that the perceptve faculties an.
reasoning powers Of the children be cult
waited. and that a love Of scholarly in'csti
cation be inspired.
STUDY o. HISTORY.
In Tie study Of history teachers are eau
toned % be careful that the memory of th
pupil be not burdened with irifling and nm
IMPORTANT facts. but 10 let the teacher seiI
upon the leading points and impress then
upon the pupils, associaing only The mo-
prominent points. with dates. This Is %
doubt very difficult 10 do. as scholars an
expected 10 mcmOriZc all minute points u
the book: but however successfully .
If asked when he quilted school. after coins
through the whole course. about som
event mentioned in the first part of his hi-
tOry-a fight with Indians in Colonial day
or battle during the Revolutionary 20
Mexican wars, would very probably say
eyes, studied that some years ago, but
don't remember anything about 10 now
LESSONS IN GEOGRAPHY.
The same illustration would. with cqul
force. apply 10 geography. The scholar .
required 10 know when recitation tim
comes all the little points To which his IT,,
son relates-what direction this rivorin Al
RIGA runs. what river this city I'D ASIA Is ON
what this country in Europe produces. ~,
The history used in all the new classes }
Barnes. Beginning with the earlier grade
The pupil is given 80 many pages session
In the first grammar grade, section \, In
one before the high school is reached, o.
pupil stops at page BOB, according 20 ~
curriculum. By this time he Wi
have passed through the Nariou
epOchs down 10 the administr;
ton Of President Harrison. Furthc
on in the book is the Declaration Of Ind.
pendence and the Constitution Of the mite
States. Unless the scholar turns 20 the-
important documents of his own sWcc
willard how many school children hay
it-he will not know anything about then
for in his next grade be goes for the mr.
time out of American history into a histor
of the world which is, however, only give
in outline.
THE ~ STEM.
The system has its good points, and Ga
present method j. the result Of years Of q
perience and Encouragement and study, AZ
is perhaps as perfect as could be adopted
put pupil through a course taking IN "a