The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-09-09
STATE EDUCATIONAL
ONV E N TON.

Ma CuApwIcK; The State Educational
Convention assembled, according to appoint
ment, at Chelsea, the 22d ult, and was organ
lied by the choice of the following officers:
GOV, EATON, PRrsrDExrj Jason Steele
and Joseph p, Fairbanks, Vice Presidents; n.
Bishop and J. X Colby, Secretaries.
1t will not be consistent with my limits to
give detailed account of the proceedings of
the Convention continuing through three days,
The number in attendance was larger than
most had anticipated. The people of Chelsea
generously opened their doors to entertain all
who came, and very few went away without
partaking Of their hospitality. We were graf
fled to see large number of Teachers present
from our own State, and some from neighbor.
ing States, and doubt not they will return to
their labors strengthened and encouraged by
the interview, furnished moreover with many
valuable suggestions pertaining to their duties,
and with more Just and exalted views of the
service in which they are engaged The Ad-
dresses and Discussions were, a whole, in
tercsting and well sustained throughout, and
furnished gratifying evidence of progress, in
the work of improving and eevating our
SChpoIS I'M phSHbut lIS kolhlN' Hty shpNtu,
moreover, how great work remains to be Oc-
compshcd, and endcavorcd to present the
appropriate means and motives by which it
should be carried forward.
The Discussion ofthe question, ssWhat are
the proper studies for common schools, elicit
ed variety of opinions. While some would
enlarge the number ofbranches already taught,
others, and much the larger number, would
have fewer studies, more thoroughly taught,
excluding, except in some few cases, all be-
yond Reading. Writing, Arithmetic, Geogra-
ply and the History of the United States, and
securing thereby, such n classification of the
school, as would give the Teacher time to teac h
more thoroughly these primary branches
The multiplicity of studies in our common
schools is, unquestionably, great evil. 1t is
one too, in most cases, beyond the control of
Teachers, rendering their services compare
lively useless, by dividing their time and APP
proprinting it to studies which their scholars,
for want of discipline in the simpler branches,
are wholly incapable to undertake. 1t is rare
to find school, in which dozen scholars can
read ,oelI, or spell correctly the commonest
words of our language. tits to be regretted
that the law has not authorized the town Su.
perintendents to designate the studies, and the
text books in common schools
The question in reference to School Houses
their location-constru Observation-Disclosures
&c, was fully discussed by the Convention
! The common means employed to ventilatc-
dropping the windows-was thought to be in
sufficient, and unsafe, after accomplishing lit.
tie more than the letting in ola cold curren
Of air upon the heads of the children, without
producing a sufficient current to renew the
impure cir within. The comparatively recon
! introduction of stoves into our school houses
has made this subject of primary Importance
The shutting up of the old fashioned fireplace
u vcntitator Of the best kind-and the substi
tuition of tight stove in its stead has in ma
jority Of cases, only saved fuel at the expens;
Of health. 1t has kept the scholar warm anC
quiet in his seat, but at tho same time render