The record-union., 1894-01-03

AiiS e1sIo IuS A6SSOuS SO give eli uetNi CcI ldiHAy
been of advantage to those taking the
literary course in that school.
L state this fact to show that if benefi-
cial consequences could follow in this in
stance when the time occupied was COM
paratively short and the interim between
the readings long, what probable results
would ensue il a systematic course of
reading of such authors as Irving, Pres
colt, Macaulay, Longfellow, Whittier,
Holmes, Dickens and others OF like
character and reputation were made
familiar TO our children.
L would particularly like to see the
teaching OF American history commence
IN the fourth grade and continue until
the final graduation of the pupil. The
principles of patriotism should be in
culcated as soon as we can see an un-
folding of the thinking. reasoning faculty
In the child. Impress its mind in the re-
cltal of the trials and struggles of the
early settlers OF our country; of the
patriotism and heroic deeds of the revo-
lutionary period; OF the sacrifices made
to establish free government: teach them
TO reverence the names of such men
as Washington, Adams, Franklin, Lin
coin and the hundreds of others whose
lives were dedicated and devoted to be-
stow Oh them the blessings and oppor-
tunltles they now possess.
SPECIAL TEACHING IN GRAMMAR GRADES.
That system of instruction which is best
calculated to advance the pupil is one all
Will admit should be used. There is no
plan or proposition, however strong be
its advocacy, but will meet with objection;
yet that is no reason for rejecting any
method based on a principle OF thought.
l believe the imparting OF special sub
jects in our grammar schools by special
tQon in I,a ~ lc
OF greater advantage to the pupil than the
system now in vogue of allowing each
teacher to instruct in every study.
In these schools the requirements
are such as to demand higher
educational qualifications than those
asked for in primary grades. 1t will be
found on examination that many of these
teachers evince taste, desire for some
particular study, and guided by that feel
ing which that appetency prompts, gives
more time and with more pleasure when
the class is engaged in that specific les
son.
Some of the advantages of this system
are outlined by Superintendent Maxwell
of Brooklyn, and coming from so au-
thoritative- a source l here enumerate
them for your thoughtful perusal and re-
Election:
First-It will render it possible to en-
=
increasing the burdens laid on teachers
and pupils.
Secoud-A teacher confined to one
branch Of study would have the encour-
agement and the opportunity TO develop
special skill, to prepare her work more
carefully, and to make greater attain
ments than are now possible.
Third-Time would be saved and en-
ergy would be conserved, which are now
Ciccfr f0d lnct NV NOl1
person to teach an unlimited range of
subjects. for many Of which she has not
taste or ability.
Fourth-A teacher of one subject has
the advantage of carrying her work
through grade after grade. thus making
the method Of teaching the subject con-
tinuOus and harmonious. AT present
children are confused and discouraged by
finding different methods and different
ideals in every class they enter.
Fifth-The teacher would have the re-
lief Of fresh audience every hour and
the pupils would have the relief of a
new teacher every hour.
Sixth-A pupil always under the same
teacher, unless that teacher is very eX-
acquires by insensible imita-
ton, idiosyncrasies of thought and man
ner which it is highly desirable to avoid
This danger would be reduced to mini
Seventh-The proposed system, by in
Producing diversity, would increase in
terest and concentration of mind. The
of one voice, heard for five
hours day, produces WEAKNESS and con-
sequent inattention and mind wandering.
Eighth-A much more scientific and
less mechanical classification of pupils
would be possible. The present system
of averaging studies brings together
Il, Of i'm in,
particular studies, and much time and
effort are thus lost. There is and ought
to be no such thing as pupils keeping
exact step all along the line. In the elo-
quent words of President Elliott, the
whole school life should be one unbrolen
flow from one fresh interest and one new
delight to another, and the rate of that
flow ought to be different for each differ
ent child.
Ninth-The proposed plan would give
free scope for the exercise of the most
important functions of the Principal Ito
between pupils of different
ability, to select the competent for suita-
BILE instruction and advance each pupil
with appropriate rapidity.
OF FIRST AND SECOND
GRADES.
In each of my annual reports 1 have
to this board the necessity and
of consolidating the classes of
the first and second grades, giving
them in charge of thoroughly competent
teachers with salaries inSuring their per-
manency, thus preventing the constant
and injurious changes to which these
classes are continually subjected under
the present system.
l should have refrained from again
bringing this matter before you, but in so
doing would have been derelict to my
own strong convictions Of it's Importance.
If in a family of three or four children
a diversity of character is exhibited, call
ing into exercise the best judgment of
the parent in guiding and maturing i n
right direction those peculiarities, how
much more weighty and serious becomes
the charge intrusted TO teacher with
thirty or forty young and undeveloped
minds, each one presenting different
phase of character, temperament and
home education. Can success be at
tanned where experience is lacking? In
the earliest stages of development is
where is imperatively demanded all the
qualifications of experimental knowI-
edge.
The relation of parent to child is brought
into closer proximity in these earliest
grades between teacher and pupil than
in any other. This fact alone renders the
primary classes the most responsible, as
they are the most arduous, of any. The
future career of the child hinges on its
first two years of primary education.
Then this great-yes, this vital RESPONSE
rest with the most compe-
tent instructor; competent through ex-
perience. knowledge OF intantile charac-
ter, sympathy and love.
CONCLUSION.
The hour has arrived for our parting.
For four years we have assembled here
in the greatest of ali human interests
the education of our children. During
that period our meetings have been char
by the best of feeling; i'll will,
animosities, have not dis