ALASKA FISHERY AXD FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, 1920. 77 



SCHOOLS. 



St. Paid Island. — The senior school on St. Paul Island, under the 

 direction of George Haley, was opened on September 22, 1919, and 

 continued until May 28, 1920. The enrollment consisted of 66 pupils. 

 The usual methods were followed in the teaching of the children,, 

 particular stress being placed upon subjects which would tend to 

 bring about the increased use of the English language. In resigning 

 at the close of the session, Mr. Haley terminated a period of service 

 in the island schools extending over six yeai-s. 



St. George Island. — On St. George Island the senior school was 

 opened on October 7, 1919, and closed May 14, 1920. with an enroll- 

 ment of 34 pupils. The percentages of attendance and punctuality 

 were 99.45 and 99.52, respectively. In discussing the methods of in- 

 struction and administration used in the school, Mr. Johnston states : 



The pupils were divided into live fjeneral classes and again subdivided where 

 necessary. These subdivisions varied with the different subjects of instruction, 

 but were determined more by the intellifrence and capabilities of the pupils. 



The use of Englisli was always required in the schoolroom. Several <lays 

 sometimes passeil without a word of Aleut being spoken. At recess and at home 

 the pupils were encourageil to speak English. 



When the Aleut children can understand English with more ease and quick- 

 ness, especially as it is spoken, they will advance in their other studies at a 

 surprisingly rapid rate. This inability to understand many explanations given 

 by the teachers, no matter liow simple they are, makes such studies as arith- 

 metic diflicult. In every recitation the study and use of English was of para- 

 mount importance. 



In the fourth and fifth reading classes the text was discussed and commented 

 upon by the pupils so that they would understand the English phraseologj- The 

 lower classes were given drills in vocabulary and pronunciation. Composi- 

 tions on stories in the readers were rather poor, as it seemed bard for mo.st of 

 the children to grasp the important points of a story. The following will illus- 

 trate: In the geography textbook a paragraph would describe a river .system. 

 The final sentence of the description would be: "This is called a river system." 

 The pupils, in spite of continuous instruction, would give the sentence quoted 

 above as the definition of a river system. 



Comiiositions were freciueutly called for, the subjects being chosen ])y the 

 pupils or by the teacher. Letters were written to friends at other places. All 

 written work was corrected and handed back to be rewritten or discussed in 

 class. 



During the second half of the terra the fifth class kept individual diaries. 

 They understood the purpose of the diary easily, and noted many details which 

 most children would not remember The diaries were examined once a week 

 and individual instruction was given to the writer on his mistakes in grammar, 

 spelling, etc. 



It was not necessary to inflict corporal punishment at any time. Standing 

 up in front of the school, staying in at recess, etc., proved sufTicieiit. Strange 

 to say, the pupils did not like to be sent home from school, a fact used to advan- 

 tage in inflicting punishment. 



In addition to the senior school, classes for small children were con- 

 ducted by Mrs. Ella J. Johnston. This junior school was carried on 

 between the dates given above for the session of the larger school. 

 The enrollment was made up of six girls and five boys. Simple 

 work, similar to that given in kindergarten classes, forms the basis 

 r)f the work in the junior school. These cla.sscs are very valuable in 

 f)reparing the children for entrance into the senior school and en- 

 abling tbem to take up their work to greater advantage than would 

 otherwise be the case. Mr. Johnston's report comments upon the 

 work of the junior school as follows : 



The value of this rireparatf)ry course can be realized best by those who take 

 up tbe child's instruction in tlie senior s'booi. I>ast term one of the lioys com- 



