Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-11-10
Report Of TeAchers' Conven.
tion-Concluded.

Wednesday, P. NJ, opened with most
interesting exercise in reading conducted
by Mr.. Crawford, in which quality Of tone.
infection, emphasis and accent, were sue
ccs.ively discussed. The exercise closed
with remarks from the teacher and super
intendent, designed to show that true read
ing must be from the heart as we'll as well
as on the lips. This was followed by n
highly interesting lecture from DR.. Tefft,
in which for nearly an hour and half he
discussed the subject Of Taste in Educa-
ton.
Wednesday evening, DR.. Ballard. State
Superintendent. gave highly instructive
lecture on Memory, which was followed by
a discussion Of topics presented by teach.
ers. One Of these, viz: why the degrees
of latitude increase toward the pole was
discussed and satisfactorily explained by
Messrs. Wardwell and Haskell.
Thursday morning--scssion opened with
explanations and illustrations Of object
teaching by Mr.. Crawford. The subject
was placed in new and interesting light.
The three steps to he pursued were pre-
scented, viz;-lst, The object to aid the
conception; Cd, The conception Of tho OBJ
ject; Sd. The simple conception. This
was followed by an address from Rev. w.
J. Robinson of Belfast. occupying very
interesting hour, in which he discussed the
Education of the Masses. bringing out
some very plain and Wholesome truths for
consideration.
Mr.. L. S. Wardwcll then proposed the
question.-How many studies ought a
scholar in one Of our common schools to
take at once! He gave it as his opinion
that he could not take more than three to
advantage. Mr.. Smart Of Searsport. re-
piled. as many rs he could take care Of
The discussion was continued by Messrs.
Crawford and Nichols. and the matter was
referred for summing up to DR.. Tefft who
was present. He gave some items in hi.
own experience as teacher. going to chow
that no definite rule could be given, but
concluded that the scholar should have
vanity enough both to tax and rest every
power Of the mind.
Thursday. p. M.,-We played school
Mr.. Crawford was elected teacher. He
commenced by asking teachers how they
opened school in the afternoon. After
several replies, some one suggested by
singing. This seemed to meet with gener-
al favor and we opened with fsvorite
America. Questions We're then proposed
and answered in Geography, bringing out
not only the facts Of the science but the
mode nf presenting them. This was fol-
lowed by questions and discussions in
Arithmetic and Grammar. The session
closed with a very full discussion of the
question-How to secure promptness in
morning attendance at school. in which
forty or more teachers gave their expert
ence. Then We separated, all feeling that
we had had . very profitable afternoon
session.
Thursday evening-Rev. Mr.. Crag, re-.
peatcd. by request. his most excellent lee
ture on Dante, which was received with
universal satisfaction. After this, resolu-
tons were introduced and unanimously
passed. thanking citizens for their kind
hospitality, Mr. Parker for the use Of the
Hall, the lecturers for their excellent Ia.
bors. the officers of the Convention, &c
declaring the teachers highly gratided and
proftted by the session and determined to
renew the festival the coming year. On
the whole, the general feeling is that the
Convention has been decided success.
| REPORTER.