New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-16
NEWS OF THE SCHOOLS.
A VISIT TO THE PRIMARY DEPARTMENT
OF NO 49-CHILDREN'S DRAWINGS.
TIE TEACHING OF LATIN AND GREEK-A MEET
ING OF THE STATE TEACHERS AssoCIA-

TIE TEACHING OF LATIN AND GREEK-A MEET
ING OF THE STATE TEACHERS AssOC1A-
TON TO BE CALLED JUNE 80.
Visitors 10 New-York who in any way inter-
ested in education never fail visit the Primary
Department Of No. 49, and many distinguished
names are enrolled in It's bulky visitors book Miss
Sarah F. Buckeew has been its principal ior thirty
years and Is justly proud Of the work she mas
accomplished in IT, particularly as she has TO cope
with that great stumbling-bloc OF all New-York
educators a cosmopolitan body Of pupils. The
great breweries and tobacco factories in the neigh
borhood have drawn population Of Bohemians
and Italians around them, and therefore an I'M
usually large percentage OF the children IN the
school when they first enter cannot speak the Eng
lsh language.
Out Of about thirty-fve boys who are now being
taught ip the lowest grade. there are twelve who
do not understand an English sentence, although
they may know occasional English word. and
the same IS of course true of the girls In the same
grade. These Miss Buckelew calls her stupid
classes and the word is an entirely suitable one so
dull, apathetic and unrespons!ve are the faces of
the pupils that compose them.
The teacher has difficult task 10 perform, and
{. Is interesting TO see how she accomplshes 1t,
and gradually ELECTS gmmerings Of intelligence
from the little unawakened minds. The pupils are
supplied with tiny cOored sticks. out of which they
form the letters of the alphabet, the teacher show
she explains for the benefit of those who do not
understand her language. Then. when they have
made letter and learned its name. they copy II on
their states. In this work the different degrees OF
intelligence in the little come out most strik-
3ngly
One little chap whom Miss Buckeew calls the
little Characterization" never seems to be
able TO make a figure according 10 directions. II
the teacher draws on the board and tells the
children 10 make it with their sticks. he will make
a, b,tff frefd nd 10 succeeds
making an with his sticks and tries TO copy IL
on mis- slate. he will make no mistake except that
the horizontal lines will extend the wrong way
The time for pupils 70 remain in this class Is in
Definite, being limited extended according to
their intelligence. Beginners who are not so ienor-
ant are placed in another class between this and
the highest grade.
Training in phonetics is most thorough beginning
IN the lowest grade and continuing throughout the
course until when the pupils graduate from the
department they have scarcely a trace OF foreign
accent in their voices. They know the different
sounds of every letter in the alphabet. and when
word is given TO them mark out all the silent
letters. and indicate the sounds o; the remaining
ones with astonishing correctness
All the work done is surprising 10 tho uninitiated'
nd 10 see the bright little faces Of the higher
asses one would never imagine that any OF the
owners had ever formed part of a stupid class.
The writing in the highest grade shows that In TINS
corner Of the earth at least writing is not lost
art while the way in which little girls. even in the
lower grades can add up columns of figures. quite
takes ones breath away
In music and drawing they do wonderful things,
and children who only grade above the
A. B. G class can talk learnedly about pitch and
power" and make any kind Of note or rest known
10 the science. They also nave pant lessons, au
i hii;'i and Color lessons
The color lessons. which were. prepared by Miss
Margaret Lewis, are great fun and are gong 10
leach The children. Miss Buckeew says, to delight
in color wherever it appears in art and nature.
The department has about twenty prisms FOR pro
ducng the solar spectrum ana ~ Is a red-ig t
day when one class gets them all and uses them
T e Sd ss % only n
every school in the ciIy o9I oy niue boy. pGys d d
sons are also the work OF the principal and her
sewing is begun in the sixth grade, although the
Board OF Education does not require II VII the
I'VE don't have any trouble in getting through
the Curriculum" Miss Buckelew. says and Ike
get much school after they are twelve years old"
STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
Alta meeting Of the Board Of Education the city
superntendent was authorized 10 arrange for a
school exhibit to be held on June 80 July J., ana
8 There will be teachers representing schools
from all paris Of the State. The schools will have
been closed so al 10 enable teachers in New-York
and Brooklyn TO participate in this session This
will be the first meeting Of the State Teachers
rarion ia under The direction Of the local committee.
OF which Edward A. Page. principal or Grammar
him are Henry 7. O'Neil, vice-chairman Johh =, 4
Nicholson secretary: Superintendent GustaYe n.
siraubenmfer with the following vice-p presidents
and heads OF special committees " q,
Vice presidents-Henry C. lAtchneld, Abner Is.
Holly. Theresa l.. Atkinson; Julia Riehman sara "a
J. J. McCafery, Andrew J. Whteslde. Mary II
Tate John f. Grotecloss. George w. Harrison.
Hester A Roberts. Emma A Johnson and Hattie
T. Davidson.
Superintendent Of Exhibts-Dr. James Lee OF
the Board OF City Superintendent - ,,-,.
Committee Entertainment Eh)an H. 'Ia'H'
chairman; Joseph Wade. vice-chalrman
Committee on Reception and Hotel Accommooa-
tions-John w. Davis chairman. . o,..u
Committee on Halls and Spdce-HuSh r. - Neii'
chairman.
Committee Transportation-Arthur Cooper
Chairman. 80.
Committee Music-Dr. A. 7. Schaunler. or the
Board Of city Super!n;endents, chairman a.,
Committee on Prntng-John T. Nicholson, chair-
-
Committee on the Press-Wiiam j. OShea'
chairman.
The Normal College has been selected for the
meeting and exhibition. President Hunter IS CIV
ing great deal OF his time and services 10 make
this q success.
LATIN AND GREEK.
There important urc<ting at the Murihy
Hote andf he a.