The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-11-12
The Night School.

The Night School.
On Wednesday evening of last week the night
school was opened in the chapel. Forty of the
seventy.two pupils enrolled were brought out on
this occasion, there were books on hand for
only this number. The classes were organized
and the system outlined to the boys. The
northwest corner of the hall had been arranged
for the school. The long benches were removed
and double desks put in their place. Common
chairs are used as seats. The hall is lighted by
electricity. but oil lamps placed on the desks.
The school will be the especial care of Deputy
Lemon and he will have as his assistants Asst.
Deputy Glennon, Guards Cayou COlligan and Nc.
Cracken An hour and half will be given to the
exercises in the hall three evenings of the week
Monday, Wednesday. and Friday. The school
work is in the hands of four inmate teachers, and
and we are indebted to the principal for the fol.
lowing outline of the system to be pursued.
OUTLINE OF NIGHT SCHOOL.
The school is divided into four classes and the
routine of each class is as follows:
The Fourth or Primary. class will commence at
the alphabet and advance in spelling to wOrdslof
four letters. Instruction will be given on the five
vowels and why they called. also the diff.
ference between a vowel and a consonant.
Arithmetic-This class will receive instruction
only in addition and subtraction.
Penmanship-Practice on small letters only and
instruction in the principles involved in the for
nation of letters and small words.
In reading-Merrlls First reader will be used
and primary instruction the uses of the signs of
punctuation.
This class opens with twenty-five scholars.
Third, or Secondary, class
Spelling--Instruction on the different sounds OF
vowels and use of silent letters. with lessons for
study limited to words of two syllables.
Arithmetic Multiplication and division.
neutrality-suspicious. Second reader will be
used. and instruction on punctuation, and oral
reading will be carried on from the limit of the
primary class.
Penmarship-Or Oral instruction and copy book
practice on capitals and the principles involved
in the art of free-hand writing.
This class opens with twenty.seven scholars.
Second. or intermediate, class
spelling-Continued instruction on vowel
sounds with lessons for study limited to words of
four syllables.
Arithmetic-This class will advance to. and
complete study in simple fractions.
hoduHS-MODEOc luiTu TtdUeF Will U0 uSeO,
and instruction given in the art of naturalness in
oral reading, also completed instruction on punct
uation.
Penmanship obstruction on the principles in.
volved in writing letter and addressing an envel.
ope. with copy book practice on capitals and con-
nected words and sentences.
This class opens with twenty three scholars
First, or Advanced, class
Spelling-Pupils will study compound words
and with each lesson be required to properly d.
vide words into syllables. and explain sounds of
vowels used. AS adjunct to the above. this
class will receive instruction on the nine parts of
speech.
Observation-Disclosures and practice in com.
pound fractions and decimals
Reading-Monroe's New Fourth reader will be
used. Selections gwen at each session to be read
orally by pupils.
Penmanship-The art of composing letter will
be feature of this branch, and the common er
rors pointed out. Copy book exercise will be
given on the same.
Examinations tor promotion will be held each
month. Pupils will be required to gain aver
age of 60 per cent on attendance, and the four
| branches outlined above, in order to secure their
promotion to higher class.
The First class, of course. ill not be started un.
til after the first examination and will be COM
posed of those scholars who successfully pass
| the Second class in the December examination.
Glasses Three and Four will attend on Monday
and Friday evenings classes One and Two on
Wednesday evening only
The routine of studies as outlined. is intended
to give each pupil beginners instruction" and
advance him to the point where (if he has the
desire) he can carry self instruction from
his books during his evening hours. This is all
that can be accomplished under existing circum-
stances. and if the pupils of this school of 1922
evince earnest desire to learn all they can and
help make it as successful it bids fair to be- it
is more than probable that the management of
this institution will be able to convince the next
legislature that 1t would be wise to make a more
liberal appropriation and establish regularly
graded school within these walls. The pupils
of this school can do more towards gaining such