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Grades
Grade One | Garde Two | Grade Three | Grade Four | Grade Five

This page is a listing about what was required for each year of school. This information came from a Plan and Grade Book (1890-1891) when S.N. Cragun was the Superintendent.

Grade One

First Year of the Course.

Work in this Grade not limited by months.

Numbers.

All possible combination of numbers from 1 to 10, based upon the use of objects presented to the senses.

The different lines of work, as based upon whole numbers, fractions and units of measure to move parallel.

Each number to be considered, 1st, as a whole; 2d, as to the relations in it; 3d, in its applications.

Practical problems involving all the processes—addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and partition.

Reading.

Purpose- To associate with written and printed words the ideas the child has already associated with spoken words.

Means- Charts, pictures, objects, first reader, and, if desired, a primer.

Divisions.

1. The preparatory stage, extending over the first month or two.

2. The primary stage, from the use of the first reader to the about the end of the third year.

Rules.

1. The idea should precede the word, which is its sign.

2. Never allow a child to give a thought until he gets it.

Language.

Keep clearly in mind (1) the particular knowledge of the pupils; (2) the purpose of the lesson; (3) the method; (4) the result to be obtained under the circumstances. To this end exercises if a simple character may be given:

1. To develop ideas of words, as names, qualities, actions, substitutes, expressions of time, place, etc., and expressions of emotion.

2. By questions, to obtain oral expressions of connected ideas in thought then stories and descriptions, both simple and extended.

3. By proper models to correct oral errors.

4. By dictation exercises.

No technical terms or definitions.

Spelling.

The words of the reading and other lessons. Copy work. The eye the people should be made familiar with the forms of words by repeated observation before he is required to produce them in writing.

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Grade Two

Second Year of the course.

Work in this grade not limited by months.

Numbers.

All possible combinations of numbers from one to twenty. Multiplication tables one through six. Practical problems.

Count by 2s, 3's, 4s, 5's to 20 and back to zero, beginning with different numbers.

Find fractional parts of composite concrete numbers below 20.

The work for of this grade is based, for the most part, upon the use of objects presented to the imagination.

Reading.

Purpose.

1. To enlarge the pupils stock of useful words.

2. To preserve the natural oral expression of thought.

3. To strengthen the pupil’s power to master the thought of the lesson.

Means.

Second reader, and civil supplementary reading.

In these lower grades the pupils need much supplementary reading, practice in which shall give him skill and botanical part of reading, which, if he does not acquire now, he is not likely to acquire at all. One lesson in the adopted textbook should be selected for examination each month.

Language.

Continue the work of Grade One, but upon a larger scale. Use pictures and objects freely:

1. to develop current ideas of form, color, size, relations.

2. To give free play to the imagination.

Practice more fully the correction of oral errors, and teach more carefully the distinctions in the form and meaning of such words as lie, lay; may, can; are not, aint; mine, yours; shall, will.

Require selections from the reading lesson to be interpreted, to be committed to memory, or transposed into prose. Simple compositions developed through questions.

Some good language Manual should be in the hands of the teacher in these two grades

Spelling.

All the words of the other lessons.

Memory work. Reproduction in writing an orally of words previously learned.

Use the following and other devices:

1. Require peoples to arrange the words of a lesson in alphabetical order with reference to the first letter.

2. Place list of words upon the board omitting a letter from each.

3. Take a word as at and require a list of the words to be made by prefixing a single letter, as cat. Afterwards by prefixing two letters is that.

4. Have pupils copy words from the reader omitting certain letters, and then read from slate, supplying the letters.

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Grade Three

Third Year of the Coarse

Numbers.

1. Notation, numeration, addition and subtraction to 100.

2. Multiplication tables through five. Division by 2, 3, 4 and 5 of numbers below 20. Problems

3. Find halves, thirds, fourths and fifths of numbers below 20. Multiplication again through 6.

4. Find fractional parts to sevenths of numbers below 70. Tables through 7. Practical problems.

5. Multiplication and fractional parts 8, 9 and 10. Practical problems.

6. Write and read numbers through thousands. Addition and subtraction, involving the process of tens, i.e., borrowing and carrying.

Oral History.

1. Study of individuals by means of stories told to and repeated by puplls.

Stories of King Phillip, Leif the fortunate, Columbus.

2. DeSoto, Marquette, Cortez, Champlain.

3. Miles Standish, Raleigh, John Smith, Roger Williams, Nathaniel Bacon.

4. William Penn. Peter Stuyvesant, Lord Baltimore.

5. Washington, Franklin, Henry, Jefferson, Hamilton.

6. Calhoun, John Brown, Summer, Lincoln, A. H. Stevens, Grant, Garfield.

Similar work next year.

Reading.

Most of the reading in this year belongs, like grade 2 and the latter part of grade 1, to the primary stage.

Commit to memory selections and parts of selections containing gems of thought.

The examinations should be based upon indicated selections in the adopted text-book each month.

Supplementary reading work continued. Book, Third reader.

Language.

Develop inductively the ideas sentence, statement, question, command. After the idea or thought is developed, give oral or written drills to fix it and its term clearly in the mind. By numerous exercises teach the correct use of names, abbreviations, of words commonly misused, of simple quotation. Teach the writing of dates, initials, addresses, to give brief descriptions of familiar places, objects pets, etc.; to tell the story of a picture.

Make the correct single sentence precede the correct connected sentence. Omit technical terms, parts of speech and parsing. Have numerous written exercises: 1. To lead the pupil to the thought. 2. To require oral expression. 3. To require written expression.

Third and Fourth Years of the Coarse

Spelling.

The ultimate design in learning to spell should be kept in mind. It is to gain the power to write words correctly when expressing ones thought.

In teaching spelling, the principle that all instruction in the forms of language should be observed, on the ground that the sense of a word or passage is a stronger and more interesting bond of association than the appearance or sound,

The only key to attention is interest. The more things we can give the pupil to do, the more we shall interest him.

Require then: 1,spelling proper; 2, accentuation, capitalization; 3, syllabling; 4, punctuation; 5,use; 6, derivation; 7, discrimination of synonyms; 8, discrimination of antonyms; 9, meaning.

Fourth Year of the Course

Numbers.

1. Elementary text book begun. Addition, Subtraction, multiplication.

2. Division.

3. Properties of numbers, factoring, G. C. D. and L.C.M.

4. Common fractions, reduction, addition and subtraction.

5. Multiplication and division of fractions.

6. Compound and complex fractions, reviews.

Oral Geography.

1. Exercises to give primary ideas of time, position and direction.

2. Idea of distance, of map. Study and draw schoolroom, township and country.

3. Study of Indiana

4. Natural divisions of land and water.

5. The United States; also, if time permits, North and South America.

6. The world, zones of temperature, of vegetable products, of food plants, of animal life.

The same work should be repeated next year.

Reading.

The reading of this and following years belongs to the advanced stage. Qualities of oral reading to be cultivated:

1. Correct pronunciation of words.

2. Firmness and distinctness in enunciation of words.

3. Deliberateness in enunciation of the several clauses of sentences.

4. Emphasis.

5. Expression.

To produce these employ: 1, instruction; 2, imitation; 3, practice.

One lesson in each month should be selected for examination.

Supplementary reading continued.

Language.

Apply principles learned in third year, using the previous years work as a basis, beginning with the known, develop gradually the ideas noun, adjective, verb, etc. The forms of nouns, plural and possessive, the uses of pronouns and the value of words that describe may be best taught from sentences and selections from simple literature.

The composition exercises should be longer and more varied; the reproduction may be of a little more complex character; the pictures may be used for longer stories; familiar objects may be better described, and the dictation exercises should be a more thorough test of the attention, the memory and the reason.

Study short selections from prose and poetry, vary the character of letters, bring into use objective and possessive forms, note closely spelling, punctuation, capitals, writing and the use and misuse of words.

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Grade Four

Fifth Year of the Course

Arithmetic

1. Elementary text-book completed this year; reading and writing decimals; addition and subtraction of decimals.

2. Multiplication and division of decimals; comparison of common and decimal fractions; reviews of both.

3. U.S. money; reduction of avoirdupois weight and dry measure.

4. Liquid measure; long, square and cubic measures.

5. English currency; time measure; addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of compound numbers.

6. Percentage; interest

Problems for review.

Geography

Elementary text-book this year.

1. Introductory lessons

2. Map studies of the world; North America

3. South America; Europe

4. Asia; Africa; Oceania

5. The sea; general study of the United States, New England States, Middle, Atlantic and Southern States.

6. Central States, Rocky Mountains and Pacific States; Reviews.

Reading

Special attention should be given in this and the following years to silent reading in its two parts: 1, study of the relations of ideas, i.e. thought analysis 2, study of individual ideas. The teacher should, each month, direct his special efforts to the cultivation of one quality of oral reading and one phase or form of mind action, thus securing better concentration of energy than if he tried to cover the whole field each month.

Language

The kinds of sentences and the relations of their parts, (subject and predicate), each kind studied separately.

Parts Of Speech- 1,the noun, its simple classes, the use of capitals arising form these; 2, pronouns and their uses; 3, the forms of adjectives, the misuse of adjectives; 4, verbs, forms, varieties, uses; 5, adverbs, positive, negatives, general use, use of comma to separate words in same construction; 6, prepositions, their use and misuse; 7, conjunctions and their relations to simple, complex, and compound sentences; 8, interjections; 9, special words.

Miscellaneous- The careful study of selections from literature; the application of the elements of grammar making out bills, receipts, notes, advertisements, applications, telegrams, notices, etc.; frequent composition work, pharaphrasing[sic], making abstracts, writing personal observations, constructing original problems, making simple analysis.

Spelling

Use of text-book begun.

Words studied should be classed as follows: A grouping of words that present difficult combinations of elementary sounds; a grouping of words that have the same pronunciation, but different spelling and meaning; a grouping of words that have two or more pronunciations and meanings but the same spelling.

Fifth and Sixth Years of the Course

Oral History

1. Study of races and nations dealt with in U.S. history; in their homes; the Indian; the Norseman.

2. Notice of each race during the year: 1, homes; 2, furniture; 3, clothing; 4, food; 5, occupation; 6, weapons; 7, education; 8, religious ideas; 9, ideas of government; 10, strongest beliefs and sentiments.

3. The Spaniard; the Frenchman; the English Puritan; the English Cavilier

4. The English Quaker; the Dutchman

5. The colonist of the revolution; (a) the Whig, (b) the Tory

6. The southern planter and portrayal of slavery; the northern farmer; contrast of free and slave labor

Oral Physiology

1. The body in general; the bones

2. The Muscles

3. The Skin

4. Food and drink

5. The blood and the breath

6. The brain and nerve

Sixth Year of the Course

Arithmetic

Complete text-book begun.

1. Notation and numeration, addition, subtraction, multiplication

2. Division

3. Properties of numbers. Cancellation.

4. Common fractions, reduction, addition, subtraction

5. Multiplication and division of fractions; complex fractions

6. Decimals; U.S. Money; Bills and accounts; reviews

Geography

First half of complete text-book this year.

1. General distribution of heat, or mathematical geography.

2. Distribution of heat on the earth or Physical Geography; general study; structure of North America

3. Structure of South America, Europe, Asia, Africa

4. Study of islands; the sea; the atmosphere; climate; zones

5. Plant life on the globe

6. Animal life on the globe; mankind; reviews

Reading

Work very similar to that of last year, with more formal thought work. In addition memorize a short account of the life and two or three selections from the works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Nathaniel Hawthorne, James Russell Lowell.

Language

Continue to apply principles and practice of the preceding years but upon a larger scale and throwing more responsibility upon the pupil and requiring more independent thought. Review of nouns, singular and plural forms of nouns. Possessive forms of nouns, including compound possessives. Masculine and feminine nouns. Ways of distinguishing genders. The uses of nouns in construction. Review of Pronouns. Personal pronouns, gender, number, and case forms. Adjective pronouns. Review verbs. Numerous written exercises. Person and number form of verbs. Tense: present, past, and future. Use of auxilliary[sic] verbs, shall and will. Regular and irregular verbs. Participles. Infinitives. Principle parts of common verbs, and much practice in using the past tense and past participles of such verbs in sentences. Careful study of shall and will, should and would, learn and teach, may and can, stay and stop, and other words commonly misused. Dictation exercises. Exercises requiring thought analysis. Letter-writing. Extend the work of Fifth year. Careful study of choice selections, with especial reference to the thought expressed. Frequent exercises in composition upon topics similar to the ones suggested in the preceding grade. Exercises in the pronunciation of words commonly mispronounced. Special attention to spelling, penmanship, capitalization, and punctuation, in every written exercise.

Spelling

Spell and classify as above. Analyze words containing the common prefixes and suffixes, as, a, re, un, mis, ad, inter.

Prefixes pre, trans, ex, and suffixes ing, ed, ful

Suffixes y, ly, ship, ness, er, al

Suffixes ar, less, en, or, hood, tion

Suffixes able, ible, ance, kin, let

Suffixes dom, age, ship, al, ality

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GRADE FIVE

Seventh Year of the Course

Arithmetic

1. Denominate numbers, denominate fractions, addition and subtraction of denominate numbers.

2. Multiplication and division of denominate numbers, longitude and time, applications.

3. Percentage

4. Application of percentage not involving the element of time.

5. Interest, simple.

6. Compound interest, partial payments, reviews.

4. Application of percentage not involving the element of time.

5. Interest, simple.

6. Compound interest, partial payments, reviews.

Geography

Complete text-book finished.

Political

1. General study of North America, general study of United States, study of New England States, study of Middle Atlantic States.

2. Southern States, Central States, special study of Indiana

3. Pacific States and Territories, Canada, Danish America, Mexico

4. Central America, West Indies, South America, general study of Europe, study of British Isles.

5. Study of countries of Europe.

6. General study of Asia, Africa, Oceania; reviews.

History

1. Period of discoveries.

2. Settlements: Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

3. Remainder of English colonies.

4. French colonies and inter-colonial wars.

5. Causes and events of Revolution to 1777.

Grammar

Study of the parts of speech with the simple sentence.

1. The noun, with the simple sentence; subject, predicate object.

2. The adjective, with the simple sentence; adjective element.

History

1. Period of discoveries.

2. Settlements: Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

3. Remainder of English colonies.

4. French colonies and inter-colonial wars.

5. Causes and events of Revolution to 1777.

Grammar

Study of the parts of speech with the simple sentence.

1. The noun, with the simple sentence; subject, predicate object.

2. The adjective, with the simple sentence; adjective element.Spelling

Analysis as in sixth year.

Analysis on basis of difficult spelling.

In the analysis on basis of construction use the words containing the prefixes: a, be, co, en, fore, mis, ant, with, un. Suffixes: age, al, able, ar, ary, dom, en, er, ery, ful, fy, ion, ish, ior, less, let, ly, ment, ness, ous, ship, y. Latin prefixes: ab, ad, ambi, ante, circum, con, extra, in, intro, mis, ob, per, post, pre, pro, preter, re, retro, se, sine, sub, subter, super, trans.

Reading

Besides formal and exhaustive thought analysis, pupils should be lead to reverse the process of analysis and build up compositions upon subjects by reading. Pupils should learn to recognize and define the more common figures of speech, metaphor, simile, etc.

Short biography of John Greenleaf Whittier, William Cullen Bryant, James Fenimore Cooper.

Eighth Year of the Course

Arithmetic

1. Discount, exchange

2. Equations and average

3. Ratio and proportion, partnership

4. Involution and evolution, application of evolution

5. Arithmetical and geometrical progressions

6. Mensuration, analysis, reviews

Physiology (With text-book)

1. Introductory; osseous and muscular systems

2. The skin, the teeth, food and digestion

3. Circulation and respiration

4. Excretion, the nervous system

5. The special senses

6. Sanitary science, effects of narcotics, reviews

History

Adoption of the constitution

Administrations: Washington, Adams, and Jefferson

2. Madisons to Jacksons administrations, inclusive

3. Van Burens to Buchanans administrations, inclusive

4. The great rebellion

5. Administrations from Johnsons to Harrisons

6. Constitution and civil government, reviews

Grammar

Study of the sentence

1. Sentences and their classification; elements, principle and subordinate

2. Kinds of elements; phrases and clauses

3. Rules of syntax, derived and classified

4. Figures of language

5. Reviews of parts of speech

6. Review of the sentence in all of its relation

Spelling

Both forms of analysis and the more common rules of orthography. Study of orthography as in grammar text-book. Latin suffixes: ac, aceous, acy, ate, al, an, ant, ar, ele, ent, escent, ce, ice, id, ile, ive, ise, ism, ist, ite, ity, ive, mony, or, ory, ose, tude, ule, use. Latin primitives: fero, fuo, jacio, frango, gero, pello, struo, facio, do, veno, ago, duco, mitto, dico, video, paro, pono, scribo, tralio, vinco, quaero, curro, verto, audio, cedo.

Reading

Similar work to preceding year. In this grade the object is to lead the pupil to study the selection as literature and not to read much but well, whereas in lower grades he/she needs much matter for practice. Study of more difficult figures of rhetoric. Study of authors: Tennyson, Thackery and Shakespeare

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