The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-08
SOME GOOD SCHOOLS.
Visit Of "a Helena Teacher TO Seattle. Ia.
coma and Portland.

Visit Of Helena Teacher to Seattle. Ta.
coma and Portland.
To The Independent
The three cities which I visited daring
my recent trip-SsAttie. Taoons and Port
lsnd-are maRnifcently built up and give
every evidence of general prosperity. though
just ~ present, In common with other cit
les, there is much complaint of dull bust
mesa and hard times. The business men,
however, appear to be cheerful and are
hopeful Of better times Gro the close OF
1894, The schools of these cities are, az
we'll they may be. source of pride and Joy.
not only because of the elegant and COM
modious buildings. but bscause Of the gem
erAl efficiency which is everywhere appar-
ent in the regular class work. IL IL evil
dently the policy OF these cities 30 pay good
wages and employ only experienced teach
efs. Ny stay In Seattle was too brief to
De nit of a careful study OF their schools
but from a brief call 81 the central school
/ was led TO conclude that the schools we're
doing excellent work.
PHYSICAL culture Is carefully taught Ia
all grades Of the city schools. In one of
the intermediate grades of the Central
school / saw as fine d ill in bells az have
ever witnessed. 4 he movements were made
Ia time 10 music played on piano in the
large hall and we're so perfect that the
thirty-hve pupils moved as one. This was
followed by q marching exercise, which was
no less perfect in movement. bot WAS,
thought TOO slow TO give the best results.
Most of the buildings visited had very
large halls, similar 10 the halls Of our own
high school building. which are utilized for
marching and other Rymnastio exercises
In the Failing building in Portland ! saw
over 500 pupils assembled in one hall for
the purpose OF listening 10 some Oh istmas
exercises. and though they came from aix-
teen rooms situated on two floors there vas
not pupil out OF line or step, nor did
case OF whispering or disorder Of any
kind from th- time the pupils left their
ooml TIL they returned. The order in
nea,ly all the schools l visited was most
excellent, and what was still better was she
cheerful. happy tone that prevailed the
schools.
In Tacoma the primary schools are doina
good work in reading (using the synthetic
systsm). bat they are sadly deficient. con-
TarativelY In numbers and oral spelling.
This. however. 10 due to the fact that the
teachers are directed not 20 teach them
subjects In the FIRST year. When / recalled
the results obtained in ouf own oity and
saw later what was being done in Pottland,
l could not but think TINT the primary
schools OF Tacoma we're working al dis
advantage. The thought occurs 60 me that
possibly the pupils we're stronger In read
ing than in other schools. and they do read
4
OF work In numbers and oral spelling
added anything to their efficiency in read
ing. / cannot but think that the careful
study OF words necessary 10 good oral spell-
inc IL great help IN reading, ne pupils are
constantly studying and fHmiliarizinR
themselves with the words which
occur in their reading lessons.
From observation and experience l am
fully convinced that 10 10 both philosoph-
ical and practical 10 CARY reading and
oral spelling along together in the hfst, az
we'll as in the succeeding grades. and fur
ther. that letter results in reading can be
secured by doing 80. Daring my atay in
TacomA / spent little time IN an eighth
grade where the teacher was hearing a eel
tntion in reading, giving special attention.
however. TO composition, style and thought.
IL Was in some sense n lesson in rhetoric
rnd literature. The pupils were very at
tsntive and showed an appreciation OF the
thOuqht and style hardly 60 be expected in
children OF their age. In corfesT ondinQ
grade Of the Portland schools heard pat
Of a recitation in civil government. The
subisot was ably presented bv the principal
Of the building and apparently thoroughly
comPrehended by the class. u seemed 90
be the aim 10 teach the general principles
upon which our government 10 founded
rather than n mere msmofizing Of the Ian
Gua0e os the text. In the same school, but
in The seventh grade. | asked TO see some
work In rapid addition aud substrao-
ton. The teacher plao "A several large
numbers upon she board a. though
intended for written addition and then
pointing 90 the figures iffespective Of the
order Ia which they we're arranged iequi %
pupils 20 add. giving tie result wien called
Tor. A drill In subtraction was given ~
starting with any given numbtr. a. ninety
seven and subtraoting from this cum the
number 20 which the teacher pointed on
ths board. In addition the pupils were ac-
oufate and rapid. bui We not 40 skilful in
the subtraction. This work, however. was
intelligent and gave evidence 81 much oare-
ful drill. One OF tie best class eIeroises I
heard was In the seventh grade Of the Holt
day school. The Lesson was In pArsiug aud
nnalvsil ha featurra OF tho recitation
were the general interest manifested BY
the members OF tho class. the accuracy Of
their work and the keen appreciation OF
grammatical citations.
In general. may say tina, the sehools !