Year: 1877

of the committees appointed by the
Board Of Directors TO visit each room
and the points to which particularly il
was desired that attention should he
directed. The following reports OF
such visits and observance will there
fore be understood without further
preface:


mon SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


TO TIE Board of Directors II he hide


pendent School District qf Upton.


The undersigned committee, an
pointed by you to visit the High School
department of the schools of said dis
trict during the examination March
3hth, 1877, respectfully submit the fol-
lowing report:


lst. All the committee were in at
tendance and listened TO examinations
in Arithmetic, sth grade; Algebra, Isl
and 2a years Language, Isl year and
sth grade; 4. s. History, Sth grade
Civil Government, and Physical Geog-
raphy- by Prof. 4. c. Ross
and Mrs. Kilbourne.


"a. An observation from even so
brief All examination satisfied us that
the methods of teaching employed are
fully up to the best practice of the
present time; aud we especially COM
mend the thorough analysis of sub
iccts "a we'll as the logical and respect
full method of recitation eSincei
throughout most Of the exercises-the
entire absence of the leading string
system being quite apparent. We also
desire to mention particularly the
practice of spelling all the new words
found in each lesson in the different
sciences for the reason that ii appears
to lis 10 be most efIectual means of
inducing the habit OF keeping the
mind alert in regard to the orthogra-
ply of Nil tho words used in whatever
the student may be reading.


Sd The attention Of the pupils was
very good during the examination and
we could only judge of their attention
at other times hy their proficiency.


4tA. The recitMions in Arithmetic,
Algebra. e. =. History, civil Govern
ment and Physical Geography evineed
on the part OF the pupils much greater
degree of proficiency than your COM
mittec were prepared to witness and
in this they reflected much credit upon
their teachers as we'll as nlerited a
considerable share themselves While
the recitation in Language showed Il
good degree of readiness in parSing
the students did not manifest that
thofotIghhess in analysis Of sentences
your committee thought desirable,
bat the time for the examination on
the subject being SO brief that we could
not get full knowledge of the pro-
tieiency Of the pupils, we will simply
-ay that analysis can not in our
opinion be introduced too early IN the
study of language or followed ap too
psrsistentiy. Pupils should be quite
proficient in elementary principles Of
analysis before entering the High
School.


9TH. We were exceedingly gratified
to observe that tile teachers iii this
department are not lacking in efforts
to govern thoroughly on just and hui
name principle, and that ia this re-
gard their degree Of success has been
very marked, notwithstanding the
mcagcr amount of aid, comfort and
consideration they generally get from
parents. The teachers of this depart
ment are working diligently, faith





To more sympathy and support than
parents are apt to give.


1t has been the practice for i long
time in this department to permit
male and female students to sit pro-
miscuously. We think we can see
how evils might result from this prac-
tice and how parents might perhaps
have grounds for objection. We do
n. HI - ,,st.
but as we can not see that such evils
would be as likely TO arise or such
cause of complaint as likely TO exist ii
the SEXES were seated separately, we
mention the matter for the Joint con-
sideration Of yourselves and the teach
cfs. AZ communication between
scholars during study hours is very
common source Of difficulty in the
government of schools and aa there is
10 reason or necessity for such COM
munication, we urge that it be abso-
lutely prohibited in all departments,
and chat the Board extend all possible
assistance and exercise all their author
ity necessary in that direction. Ii It
is too hard for pupils to apply them
selves SO long let recesses he more
frequent.


W Z iSsi tilat We ought 10 say some
thing in favor of the introduction Of
the study Of the science OF Civil
Government. The office Of the com
mon school il to tit the youth for be-
coming useful citizens, and n each is
to take part in the government OF the
country it is of primary Importance
that he understand the nature OF the
government he is to aid in managing
and the powers and duties of the Off
GERS he is to help elect. Now we close
this report satisfied that there is no
cause 10 complain Of the teachers oi
the department we have visited, bat
on the contrary great cause for con-
gFatulating them and the Board for
having secured their services. We
are well satisfied that parents residing
in the district and sending their chill
dren away from home 10 some semi
nary or college are liable to do worse
than 10 send them to their own dis
trict school. Mrs. Il. II. POUND,


:. \. LEE,


NJ y ttat y