A DAY AT LE MOYNE INSTITUTE, MEMPHIS, TENN., FEB. 15, 1882.
By Prof. A. J. Steele.
A day’s work in any well organized school is, ordinarily, a simple enough matter. An intelligent description of the same is quite a different affair. If the reader will follow me I will attempt to show him what is done in an average day at Le Moyne.
We first enter the library and reading room. Here are 1,000 volumes, a cabinet of 1,500 natural history specimens, a number of periodicals, etc.
Passing now to the assembly room, on the upper floor, about 90 students of the Normal department are in their seats, and, as the clock in the tower is striking nine, and the lower schools are about to march in, we will take seats with the eight teachers on the platform for morning devotions. There are about 200 pupils before us. A song is sung, accompanied on the piano; a short selection is read from the Scriptures; the Principal leads in a brief prayer, in which all seem to join, with bowed heads; a few moments’ silent prayer, another song, and the lower schools file out of the room and the work of the day begins. During the day we shall find the students in the assembly room preserving their own order, a teacher seldom being seen in the room.
In the grammar room we shall hear recitations in English grammar and composition, conducted by Miss Pelton, the entire work being made as practical as possible to secure correct speaking and writing.
In the mathematical room, where Miss Parmelee receives us, we shall hear classes in arithmetic, from one in compound numbers to those completing the book. A class is just taking up algebra; while stepping to the Principal’s room we may inspect the neatly-bound papers of a class that has successfully passed its final examination on this subject.
In the room across the hall where Miss Hamilton presides we shall hear classes in both political and physical geography, and we shall be especially interested in hearing the senior class in theory and practice.
Professor Steele’s classes in the natural sciences and civil government we may find in the library.
Passing now to the model school we see a quiet, busy room, with three grades of pupils under the care of Miss Cornes. Besides the ordinary lessons we hear an object lesson given on some flowers. We notice the skillful use of corn and other seeds by the children as an aid in the practical understanding of numbers. We note that nearly every child in the room can write a readable hand on his slate, and we are fortunate in hearing Miss Miller, the music teacher, give her lesson in music.