Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-12-10
1'eacne,,s Institute at Norway.

In detail, we give DcioW the ptomiucut
Thoughts Of each of the Instructors.
Mr.. c. B. Stetson of Lewiston, County
Supervisor of Androscoggin. gave instruc-
tons In geography. He made two diyis-
ions-the how and The why. As to the
first, the pupil should be taught orally.
He recommended the following method:
l-.Direction-Po OF the compass.
2-Distance-Unit of measure. 3-Geo-
graphical terms from objects. 4-Con-
stellations Star. 5-Boundaries
of town. 6-Officers oftown, county, &c.
7-Reading books Of travel. s-Solnc-
thing TO please the Imagination.
Mr.. Stc,son took up the subject OF
teaching geography in the second class.
He would have but two classes, no matter
how many varieties OF books. lie re-
commended the following topics forrccita-
ton:
Travels to the capital. Latitude
and Longitude ofthe capital. Sd stance
and cost of travelling (estimated). r
Boundaries OF the State or country. g.
Hills mountains, capes. Islands, &c. O.
Rivers, lakes, bays, CULTS and rs. =
Surface and soil. Seasons and climate.
-Chicfproductions l0-Manutacturcs
and Commerce. ll-Exports and I'M
ports. Unemployment of inhabitants.
l3-Government. religion. l4-State of
civilization and education. l5-Ilistory
and historical places or events. l6-Nat-
ural curiositcs. remarkable features. l.
Population. lS-Rough Map drawing.
Mr.. S,etson suggested that this be copied
aud placed in the hands ofcach teacher.
By this method of teaching the student
gets a wide general view he will become
interested. and will grow up with ideas.
He illustrated this by familiar points in
the natural geography ofour own State
the products oi the soil, and other re-
sources. showing that this method OF
teaching geography can be made very
interesting. He went from this to the
consideration of object teaching Take
up all the essential natural products and
dispose OF the whole at one lesson. Many
things can be brought into the school
r, ON. objects which the pupil can touch,
from which to draw the idea before teach
inc the word This instruction should
he given from childhood until the pupil is
thirteen years of age.
Mr.. Stetson gave specimens Of fine
reading, and con mcnded It's practice in
the schools rs calculated to awaken q
deep interest. Mr.. Stetson also gave n
few observations ON the subject OF history.
Never coniine scholars 10 the questions
and answers found in the book. Don't
teach them words until they know their
meaning. The essential element of histo-
~ is It's spirit, and the scholar should
seek for this from every source. We
teach history in school not 10 give intorma-
ton, but Ia create the love for reading.
Ii we TAIL in this feature it were better
not To teach it at all
Mr. :. brought To the attention of
the Institute several books which he would
recommend TO teachers.
He also recommended 10 teachers n
valuable book on natural science. aud
urged that it be placed in the hands OF
every scholar. He then showed the
philosophy OF composition, laying down
the general rule that il should be taught
early. lie answered several questions
in regard To arithmetic. \ person must
have logical mind. OF he will never
make n mathematician. He hoped the
Lord would forgive him for what he had
done in the past 10 introduce Greenlears
mental arithmetic into schools.
Mr.. Stetson said he would advise The
teacher TO make himself familiar with the
parents OF his pupils. Then lay out your
work a the carpenter docs his. Have \
time for each recitation-kcep all the
little folks busy. and close your school
promptly when the school hour is up.
Mr.. S. then gave plan Of making
blackboard. In regard to ventilation of
school houses, he suggested that the
houses be thoroughly cleanscd. In the
morning. drop the windows slightly ut
the top, on opposite sides Don't change
the atmosphere too suddenly. When the
room is filled with carbonic acid gas, it is
very unhealthy. Double windows should
be applied, with Il space between. You
viii save IN fuel and can introduce fresh
air. Look out and not let the children sit
near the windows. Ascertain where the
children sleep ghts. They should sleep
in the largest, arrest, sunniest rooms in
the house. He described the new pro
cess Of healing by surrounding the stove
with zinc, with an opening under the
floor connecting with air boxes, by which
fresh air is introduced and the bad air
drawn off. Every school house should
have n double floor with tan bark or dry
sand between. Mr.. Stctson then eX-
planned how he would conduct spelling
lesson. Spelling should be taught by
writing out or printing the words, and
not in the old style of standing pupils in
the floor and shooting" words at them.
Prof. Allen ofPennsylvanil, a native OF
Massachusetts,, having had thirty years
experience rs q teacher, is a very accepta-
bic Instructor in the Institute. He Is