Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-09
VIM. R. SMITH SCHOOL
AJournaI Reporter Enjoys a Pleasant
Call Thete.
The Various Teachers and The Work They a,e
Doing isr tho Pupils.

A JOURNAL reporter visited the VIM. R.
Smith grammar school on State street, Fri
day, and by invitation of the principal,
Prof. Chamberlain, was shown through the
various departments.
The first room visited was thst
Of the fourth class, grammar grade,
which is in charge of Miss Emma
Clark. She has taught in this school
four years and is graduate of the Castine
Normal school. She is q capable teacher
Of much tact, possessing the rare faculty
of interesting her pupils in their work.
The class is composed Of very bright pu-
pills, numbering 45. The branches taught are
arithmetic, geography, grammar and read
ing. Calisthenics form one of the
interesting exercises. Upon the black
board was the roll of honor, 95 per cent. in
scholarship and loo per cent. in deport-
ment.
From this room we visited the one in
charge of Miss Alice M. Doherty,
of the third gade, grammar. This
is one of the largest classes in the
building, numbering over so pupils. Miss
Doherty is one Of the best instructors in the
city schools and has had between six and
eight years experience. She has q fine
class. One of the most interesting exer-
cises in this room is the Swedish
symnastic drill, which was introduced last
September and has apparently come to stay.
The pupils enjoy it and enter into the exer-
else with great deal of spirit. They have
learned to go through it with precision.
The next room to visit was the second
grade grammar, in which were the pupils
who will make up the first class next year.
This room is presided over by Miss Annie
W. Beane, graduate of the Pennington
Normal school. She has had about five
years experience in teaching. Her work
has proved very satisfactory and her class
is very much interested in their studies.
The branches taught are, arithmetic,
geography, history, grammar, and pen
manship. In this room we met Miss
Grace Elliott, the special drawing teacher.
who was giving 9 lesson in drawing to the
class. She visits each room one day in the
week and gives instruction from one-half to
three quarters of an hour. Two lessons .
week are given to each class, one by Miss
Elliott and one by the teacher in charge.
In the next room We found the gradua-
ting class numbering So, and with an excel
lent record for scholarship. The school
was in session, each pupil was busy with his
work, and the room very quiet and orderly.
The teacher, Miss Annie b. Hanson, was
walking around and assisting the scholars
in their study. About three-fourths of this
class will enter the high school. The work at
present is chiefly review and embraces arith-
metic, the United States Constitution, analy-
sis and composition. The graduation exer-
cises will be held, Friday, June %, at the
Opera house. Miss Hanson is u new teacher
in the school, but is familiar with her work.
She is graduate of the Gorham Normal
school. u..-
We next visited Miss Jennie M. Cottle's
department, where 35 little pupils Of the
primary grade are receiving instruction in
their second year at school. 1t is
wonderfully apt class and the little
folks are learning very rapidly. A few
days ago they had an exercise on the
works of Whittier. A large number of the
parents were present and enjoyed the &C.
casion very much. The pupils gave quota
tons from the poets writings, told where
he was born, various facts connected
with his life and work. All these pupils
are under seven years of age.
Upon the blackboard were drawings of
Whitder's birthplace, and his late home.
The class gave an exercise while the jour
NAL man was present and it 10 surprising to
see how quickly they will be ready with
their answers.
Miss Emma Jones has charge of the next
room visited and has had about nine
years experience. This is the lower
grammar grade, fifth class, and there are 80
pupils. A fine exercise in singing was
given, the boys singing alto and the girls
soprano.
The next room contains the smallest pu-
pills in the building. In all there are 81 and
1t is their first year at school. Miss Eta
Roberts Of Hallowell 10 the teacher.
The instruction is largely oral. A pho
netic drill from the blackboard was given
while the Journal man was present and
the little pupils showed great aptness in
their answers to the questions asked.
The next room visited was the sixth grade
and is under charge of Miss Emma Howe,
who has been teaching in the city about ten
years, There are 45 pupils. a
The last department to visit was that in
which are two primary grades, num-
eering 80 pupils, under the instruction OF
Miss EIma Clark, also q graduate of the
Castine Normal school, and who has taught