BALCH
A tour of progress and Interest at the Balch School:
Looking in on the kindergarten class one saw children all dressed in their valentine best busily making valentines for mother and father. They are doing a very good piece of work.
In a first grade pupils were working on their first written original compositions. There had been oral discussion, presentation of words and now came the big moment of creating their own first written story. They were very proud to read them to the class.
On with our tour to a’ second grade where they were having a varied program. One group was having a lively phonics lesson with the teacher. The other children were working in teams of two and three on number stories or spelling. If you were watching you would notice that when one thing was completed they quietly went on to other tasks. A fine example of good training and orderly thinking.
Another second grade, you will notice library books and a science bulletin board. This is what the children have to say about their work. We all have a library card. We use our books for extra reading, or to look up ‘special things. In February there are things about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln also we like Valentine Day. Our science bulletin board has a colorful poster which was made by children to show the daily weather. Each boy and girl has a turn to be the weather broadcaster. Carefully worded accurate reports are given daily by each child in turn as he imitates his favorite broadcaster. The gathering of the weather facts is excellent training in accurate listening and reporting as well as increasing the use of weather terms.
Another project in this room is a day-by-day account of their activities and happenings recorded by the children. The topics of real interest are discussed by the class and a report is made by the group, a boy or girl records the event. Each report is clipped together and now they have an accurate and -Interesting record book of their doings to date. They plan to continue through June, then read the entire story of the year.
We enter a fourth grade in the middle of a panel discussion on current news. This was found to be their procedure.
SHATTUCK
As a culminating activity of the unit “Life in the City,” Miss Lorraine Clodi’s second graders have constructed a table top city. The children showed much ingenuity in constructing a typical city scene of shoe box skyscrapers and cardboard shopping centers. Construction paper and bright paints as well as toy trucks and people make the scene a realistic one.
The children’s ccncepts and ideas about a city were developed by gathering pictures of city scenes which they studied and compared with Norwood. They then made note of the special cliaracterlstics which make up a big city. This is one of the ways that second graders in Norwood broaden their social and physical world through stories in their basal readers and social studies book.
Visitors to the E. J. Shattuck School are treated to an enchanting breath of spring
as they enter the first floor corridor wide variety of spring birds are nesting in the branches perched on the front table. This project was accomplished by Miss Jcss.c Webster’s fourth graders under the direction of Mr. John Levitsky, Art Director for the Norwood schools.
The birds are three dimensional models constructed of colored paper while the nests are woven from strips of brown paper. The exhibit is a happy illustration of the integration of Science and Art as the children first had to study the birds before they could construct them.
PRESCOTT
The first grades at the Prescott School are using weekly library visits to stimulate interest In good literature as pupils begin to acquire reading skills. Such an activity encourages independent reading at this time when interest in reading is at a peak.
The pupils make selections from the school library every week, and are allowed to keep the book of their choice for one week. This activity has contributed to the reading program and has whetted appetites for stories.
Weekly visits to the library are anticipated with enthusiasm, and the children are acquiring some knowledge of library procedure and proper care of books.
In Grade 2 during the month of January good health and safety habits were discussed. After several discussions, the children agreed to the importance of wearing warm, heavy clothing during, this very cold winter season, and the necessity of keeping them fastened.
The question of safety in the snow fit in very nicely in this phase of the class work. The children through personal observation and stories were able to compile a practical list of important health and safety rules which would benefit everyone. As an added activity the children drew pictures of themselves in winter garb which resulted in a colorful and useful bulletin board display.
During the second semester the second grades at the Prescott School are initiating an experimental program in grouping. Once each week, various groups will change rooms and spend a half-hour period devoted to special lessons based on the ability and interest of the group.
The grouping is flexible and will vary according to specific individual needs and interests. Included in the introductory lessons are choral speaking, art, coordinating motor skills with rhythmic activities, lessons in color balance and linear design.
In January, Miss Eleanor Goldman’s third grade made up riddles in language. Some were quite imaginative. Our Weekly Readers devoted an issue to the inauguration of President Kennedy and to the history of the White House We followed this closely with discussion and pictures of Washington, D.C. Since January was filled with snowstorms, our art projects were concerned with snowmen and snow scenes.
In January the fourth grade took a step forward in arithmetic. They worked very hard in learning long division.
This is an important concept in arithmetic as it not only takes in the process itself but also puts to good use the deeper understanding and practice of place, value, multiplication, subtraction and the comparison of numbers.
The children accepted the challenge of mastering long division with considerable enthusiasm and interest.
In January the fourth grade worked on a unit depicting the French settlements in the “New World.” Considerable research into the background, traditions and ideals of these peoples was accomplished by the children. This allowed them ’to increase not only the social studies skills but also enabled them to apply their reading and language skills by the use of dictionaries and encyclopediae.
The unit culminated in a mural entitled “New France” portraying the life of a trapper. This display included a trading post, canoes and beavers building a dam.
As a result of the mural and considerable study the children learned to appreciate the effectiveness of the French in adapting their old ways of living to their new environment.
The sixth grade is studying the countries of Europe in their Social Studies program. During the past few weeks, each child has chosen a country and written to its embassy, in Washington, requesting materials that will help him organize a report. Over fifteen embassies or consulates have been contacted. The class Is eagerly awaiting the mailman these days for information from Washington, D.C.
Prescott Library Now Open On Regular Basis
The Library of the Prescott School is now opened on a regular basis for the children of the school.
Since the Morrill Memorial Library was somewhat inaccessible to the youngsters of the Prescott School district, the PTA felt that it would be advantageous for these children to have a circulating library in their own area. Mrs. Robert L. Vivian was appointed chairman of a library committee which was to make such a library possible. With the enthusiastic help of many mothers, the library was opened on February 1, 1961.
The library will be opened Monday through Friday from 1 to 3 in the afternoon and will be completely staffed by volunteers. Each class has a regular library period once a week, and each child will be allowed to have one book for one week. Such regulations are necessary due to the limited number of books.
However, the PTA is gradually donating more books and wider circulation may be possible at a later date.
Miss Mary Locke and Miss Dorothy Schomaker of the Morrill Memorial Library are to be most gratefully thanked for their help and advice in this project. Without Mr. Napoleone’s help the project would have been impossible. Included in the group of women who will staff this library are Mesdames Carl Loescher, George Sacgh, Herbert Taube, Arthur Oberacker, Richard Levine, Charles Seaverns, George Adcock, Joseph Turke, Evans Flynn, Ronald Alexander, Maynard Sallet, Warren Reynolds, Earl Harmon, Joseph Rukstalis, George Johnson, Walter Litchfield, Julius Stuck, Robert Kelly, James Scollins, Thomas Danaher, Neil Reardon, Paul Mahoney, Peter Strano, John Mellon, Theodore Mantho, and Ernest Laffey.
3d Graders Learn About Gas, Water, Electricity
A recent project undertaken by Miss Egan’s Third Grade at the Prescott School was a unit on Gas, Water, and Electricity. The unit was separated into four major work areas: Research, Oral Class Discussion, Written Observations, and Cut-Out Wall Murals.
The first area—Research— enabled each boy and girl to look into various Informative source books in order to gather definitions of Gas, Water and Electricity—respectively. This proved a valuable experience because its purpose was to acquaint the children with source books such as Encyclopedia, Dictionaries, Almanacs, etc.
The second area—Oral Class Discussion—permitted each pupil to present all the information gleaned to the rest of the class. This area was designed to encourage pupils to express, in front of a group, their own thoughts on ideas found in various books.
After oral class discussion, the boys and girls helped Miss Egan in the Third area—Written Observations—that is, putting the main ideas formulated in class discussion onto experience charts which were placed around the room for everyone to see and learn.
The last, and what proved to be a very interesting area— the cut-out Wall Murals— showed the creative imagination with which every child is endowed. The boys and girls, using what they had learned from reading and discussion, illustrated pictures depicting the uses of, Gas, Water and Electricity. Each child took a different phase and portrayed it on paper. The completed pictures were cut out and placed with significant captions on brightly colored bulletin boards. By glancing at the charts one could learn the story of Gas, Water and Electricity in the life of Modern America as evidenced both in the home and in industry!
Junior High School News
MATHEMATICS
That mathematics is an essential and dynamic subject has been vividly demonstrated by the seventh graders in Miss Nancy Misilo’s classes in the Norwood Junior High School.
The students were asked to express how mathematics serves mankind. The varied interests of the pupils were shown in the originality of the projects submitted, which rahged from a hand-made abacus to written reports.
Those whose interests were historical portrayed the development of mathematics from the caveman through early civilization. Scientifically inclined pupils related mathematics to space projects, weather instruments, statistics, and industrial development. Much was also done with the commercial phases of mathematics as used in shopping, banking, home budgets, cooking, and construction.
As a result of their research on this topic, the pupils have discovered that mathematics is an integral part of man’s development.
VALENTINE ASSEMBLY
On Tuesday, February 14th, the students of the Norwood Junior High School witnessed-a delightful one-act comedy called, ‘‘Miss Lonelyheart”. Entailing a great amount of work and -preparation, this play was extremely well performed.
The story concerned a confused” family on Valentine’s Day. The mother, played by Helen Abdallah, was constantly trying to solve the problems of her three young children, portrayed excellently by Louis Columbo, Judith Maroney, and Kathleen Stewart. When the younger brother was confronted with taking his. sister to a school Valentine party, his devious planning led to a hilarious situation. Bob Lynch, Gary Holland, Bill Jank, and Dick Edmonds, played four new boys in school who became involved in the predicament of Miss Lonely heart. Other personnel included: Beverly Obuchon and Margaret O’Day as prompters; John Calella, Warren Brunt, and Michael Frangiosa as stage managers. Margo Christensen, Judith Carpenter, Ben Hill, and Francis Rodgers composed the decorating committee. Properties were handled by Leah O’Leary and Muriel Fitzgerald. The announcing was done by Francis Wisgirda.
Chairman, Miss Mary Kent with her assistant, Miss Phyllis Carpenter, and Mr. William Mazurek was responsible for the coaching and supervision of this most successful performance.
AWARDS TO HARRIERS
On February 14th, at a school assembly the undefeated junior high cross-country squad received letters In season. Teams defeated included two from Braintree South, two from Braintree Hollis plus a win and a tie with a very strong Dedham team.
Varsity members receiving awards were: Scott Lennox, Edward Martin, Dave Davis, Randy Nixon, John Sanphy, Edward Carreiro, and Michael Sneligrove.
Junior Varsity: Jeff Storey, Michael Tawa, Paul Rodgers, John Branco, Kenneth MacLeod, Steve Manley, James Murphy, Ronald Weber, Richard Grudinskas and Paul Turchan.
Managers of this top-scoring team were Warren Thistle and Bruce Clark. Much credit is due Mr. Robert Richards who squads in this initial year of track at the junior high. Thanks goes also to the school S.A.A. for financing transportation for the out-of-town games.
Hold Panel Program At Junior High
One hundred eighth-grade parents attended a recent panel program arranged by the guidance personnel of the Norwood Junior High School in the auditorium.
The program was presented to inform the parents of the various courses offered at the senior high; to explain the nature of these courses and to enable parents to determine which subjects would be best for the further education of their children. Various careers and the subjects needed in order to qualify for a particular career were discussed.
Mr. Hayden, Principal of the Norwood Senior High School, gave an informative presentation of a typical school day, explaining some of the many activities which are part of the regular program. He told of the many ways in which the school meets the needs of the pupils and stressed those factors which were needed for the pupil to achieve success in school.
Members of the panel were Mr. Charles Hayden, Principal of the Senior High School, Mrs. Helene Goepner and Mr. James Donovan, Guidance Counselors of the Senior High School; Mr. John Corcoran, Principal of the Junior High School, Miss Gertrude Devlin and Mr. James Fulton, Guidance Counselors of the Junior High School.
CLEVELAND SCHOOL
Third Graders Study Cloth
A unit devoted to “Where We Get Our Clothing” was initiated in the three Third Grades at the Cleveland School, as part of the Social Studies program.
In this cooperative activity the children learned about different kinds of materials, especially wool, cotton, silk, linen, nylon, and rayon. The sources of these materials were investigated, and special reports were prepared by the children. The fabrics from which the children’s clothes were made were discussed at length. The class collected samples of contemporary fabrics, such as fiberglass, orlon, dynel and Acrilan.
As a means of integrating knowledge and skills, some emphasis was given in the area of weaving. Comparisons were drawn between old methods of weaving, and most recent up-to-date methods. An interesting art project was developed. Some children made simple looms demonstrating warp and woof threads.
Cut paper was used by others in order that they could actually experience the process of weaving. The children enjoyed working with such designs as the tabby, diagonal and herring bone weaves.
The culminating activity was a cooperative undertaking.. A most interesting bulletin board display was prepared in the auditorium by the children of the three classes. Collections of all kinds, special reports, diagrams and displays of fabrics and weaving, each contributed a part towards making a most educational exhibit.
Demonstrate Closed TV At Cleveland School
On Wednesday, February 15, Mr. Thomas Brown, a representative of the Fairbanks Morse Company, demonstrated to the combined fifth and sixth-grade class of the Cleveland School, a closed circuit television apparatus. Mr. Brown with son Jeffrey, a class member, installed the demonstration materials in the classroom at 9:00 a.m.
The closed-circuit television set consists of a camera, a monitor, and a power pack instrument. Mr. Brown explained that the latter two components served the same purpose as parts that were in home television sets.
The class was shown the effect of different types of lenses on the picture tube image and each member of the class was permitted to see himself on the monitor.
After this demonstration of the instrument, Mr. Brown spoke of some of the Industrial uses of closed television circuits. The set is used to magnify minute parts that require close inspection, to make available operating techniques in medicine, to assure plant security in industry, and with camera encased in a heat-resistant jacket the inside of a blast furnace can be televised. These are only a few of the applications of this set in addition to entertainment. The use of closed circuit television is limited only by imagination as the class members soon realized. The class also had an opportunity to examine the set closely and to ask Mr. Brown questions relative to its operation and use.
The demonstration culminated a unit on electricity and served as excellent motivation in introducing a social studies unit on Communication.
Learn French By Imitation
Children in Grade III at the Cleveland School have been learning to speak French just as they learned their own language — through imitation.
To supplement the program and make it more meaningful and interesting, the children have been arranging a series of short dialogues. Because of a limited vocabulary the plays have been short — but fascinating to both the participants and the audience. Eager to understand the language and culture of the people of another country the children have tried to depict activities of little French children of their own ages.
Cleveland Teachers Attend Conference
Alpha Gamma Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta, The National Honor Society for Women in Education, presented its Twelfth Annual Conference for Teachers of Elementary and Secondary Schools recently at Boston University.
Demonstration lessons given by outstanding people in their fields were: Primary Reading, Dr. Mary A. Bradley; Elementary Science, Mr. Eugene Gray; Fifth Grade French, Madame Ann Slack; Secondary Reading, Dr. Mabel Noali.
Panel discussions on various grade levels and exhibits of materials followed the demonstrations.
This conference, designed to provide practical assistance through specific suggestions, was attended by Miss Mary A. Dean, Miss Ruth Rogers and Mrs. Margaret Crowley from the F.A. Cleveland School.
Noted Author Visits Norwood
Mr. Ernest Cobb, the very well-known author of the Arlo Books, visited tlic F. A. Cleveland School last week in company with his daughter, Madeline. Over eighty years of age, Mr. Cobb is as interested in children’s literature as he was when his first book appeared in the book stalls more than half a century ago.
Although his books are read by persons of all ages, they are known as novels for young people, and are found listed among classics of juvenile literature.
Before leaving, Mr. Cobb presented an autographed copy of his book “An American Eagle” to the school. This book published in 1944, is the life of Benjamin Franklin.
WINSLOW
Richard Hughes’ sixth-grade class at the Winslow School made a field trip to the Boston Globe plant and the Museum of Fine Arts recently. The tour of the Globe plant was conducted by a company guide who showed the children the giant presses and the many interesting steps it takes to produce a major newspaper. The tour concluded with lunch in the company cafeteria.
Later the class visited the Museum of Fine Arts on Huntington Avenue. Here; for convenience, the class was divided into three groups. Each group visited the Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman exhibits and viewed briefly the Medieval and Oriental displays. Considering the enormity of the museum and its numerous attractions, it was impossible for the class to see everything; however the interest aroused shall certainly provoke a rewarding and enriching return visit. Two sixth-grade mothers, Mrs. Max Hershman and Mrs Toivo Suomi accompanied the group.
All the children are looking forward to the Emerson College Players’ production of the “Snow Queen” which will be held at the Junior High March 12. This is to be sponsored by the Winslow PTA.
The school is now the proud possessor of an A. B. Dick spirit duplicator which is the latest gift of our generous PTA.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)
Want to help preserve Norwood’s history? Send your photos of the Coakley Middle School to us at info@norwoodhistoricalsociety.org
Want to help preserve Norwood’s history? Send your photos of the Coakley Middle School to us at info@norwoodhistoricalsociety.org
Want to help preserve Norwood’s history? Send your photos of the Coakley Middle School to us at info@norwoodhistoricalsociety.org
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