Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-07-14
OUR SCHOOLS.
PRIN. Villas MAKES A REPORT
TO COMMITTEE.

During the Year. The March o
Improvement.
The following is published by request Of
the prudential committee OF the Randolph
Graded school district
MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD,
GENTLEMEN:-Agreeab bly, TO the custom
OF many nish schools which should re-
ceive especial emphasis here as there is no
superintendent OF schools, make report
to you OF the work OF the schools during
the past year. Many things may be- more
satisfactorily stated in writing than In
conversation, and a written report may be
employed for future reference.
While an effort has been made to make
the work OF the grades systematic, yet Its
character 10 different grades so varies, as
to destroy to considera BILE degree con-
nection which appears like system. wide
distinction must be made between the
work OF the lower grades and that OF the
upper.
FIRST GRADE.
In the first year many objects have been
introduced. and a combination between
the word and phonic methods is en-
ployed-using objects as much as possible.
The results have been very satisfactory.
The teacher has brought in black board
exercises, using colored crayons to Illus
trate the word method in manner which
is well fitted for her grade. The pupils
have been encouraged to write as much as
possible, and they have advanced during
the latter part OF the year with great ra-
pidity.
The amount OF number work has been
confined within much more narrow limits
than formerly.
No attempt has been made to teach the
tables as such, but easy combinations and
subtractions OF numbers have been taught
with much .persistency, with the result
that the young pupils are able to work
easily and rapidly in such exercises.
Some OF the methods OF kindergarten
are used. consider 1t of great encourage
mint to the pupils OF the four lower
grades in particular, to have their work
hung for exhibition around the room.
Their pride-an important factor in the
education OF young children-ls aroused
to equal the results obtained by others.
have wished to try some form OF the
Pollard system, but have not yet done 50.
Gratifying results have been obtained in
many towns through this method, but IL
las seemed to me to employ too much OF
phonics for young children. More OF
phonics have, however, been introduced
in the lower grades than usual, and the
more simple diacriticai marks are taught.
Excellent tact 10 managing the pupils is
shown by the teacher, who Is we'll fitted
for her work. The pupils here get their
first impressions OF school life, and are
pre- ssions obtained are deep and OF long
continuance.
SECOND AND THIRD GRADES.
The second and third grades have been
united under one teacher.
A large number OF children having but
little idea OF school have brought much
labor upon their teacher, who has shown
capability and persistency.
Here also the number work has been re :
n a 80
creates rapidity and certainty.
Beginning with these grades have re-
Gently asked that practice paper be en-
ployed in all the grades save the grammar
room for all written exercises except
number work, believing that the pupils
would easier learn to write the vertical
hand on paper ruled for that purpose.
Nature study is carried to a considera-
BILE extent. and the Normal course of
readers Is used and recommended as the
best prepared readers for this kind OF
study.
the fourth, all school work-wbere refer
ence to natural objects is made-is illus
trated, and the investigation into plant
life is made minute and comprehensive.
i have advocated teaching everything
below the seventh grade by objects, or by
reference to something known or
familiar.
The youthful mind cannot readily COM
prehend the abstract, hence all things
should be made as concrete as possible.
A story may be illustrated in its descrip.
ton by scenes near home; thus the value
of an object is obtained. A great i'm
provement has been shown in the second
and third grades during the year, and the
teacher, somewhat inexperienced, has de-
veioped rapidly. Clay modelling was be-
gun here and in the fourth grade in the
latter part OF the year; and, while the
work has not progressed far enough for
conclusive results, yet there is 10 doubt
that 1t is an excellent addition. The hand
is trained to follow the dictates of the
will, while form and its development are
taught to advantage.
The extension OF clay modelling through
the lower grades should be made at the
beginning of another year.
FOURTH GRADE.
In the fourth grade work was begun in
American literature, which has been ex
tended through all the upper grades
with as much system as possible. The
series known as stepping Stones TO Lit
erature," published by Silver, Burdett &
Co, was introduced. Hawthorne's
ssGrandfather's Chair" Ecudder's "Fables |
"Tales of wayside Inn," Lowell's "vis- |
ion OF Sir Launfal," Whttier's s'Snow |
Bound" and "Songs of Labor" Haw-
thornes .sTaDglewood Tales" Longfel |
lows "Song OF HlaWatha, "CourtShlp OF
Miles Standish' and "Evangeline," and |
Warmers "a Hunting of the Deer" are
some of the works introduced during the |
year in the grades ABOVE, and including |
the fourth grade. Their use was usually |
as a reading book, but the pupils were re- |
quired to learn interesting passages and |
to become acquainted with the lives of
the authors, with the endeagor that a
taste for good reading be impaired before
the pupil reaches the High school. At |
the fourth grade also, definite work in
language was begun, and every lesson is
made a language lesson; each paper is cor
rected upon its grammatical precision, its
use of capitals and punctuation. Some
language work is taken in the second and
third grades, but it is in sense prepare
tory for something more complete in the
fourth grade.
Text books In geography were removed
from the fourth grade, end the teacher
was obliged to rely upon her own re-
sources for instruction with the appli-
ances that were furnished.