Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-11-19

clearly explained and then proceeded to show
the application of this knowledge to the draw
ing of machinery and to the designing of pot
terry. Where the pupil has mastered
all the elements presented in the vari-
Gus exercises he is then prepared TO do a
vast amount of work in the way of application.
The Professor thought the elementary prin-
ciples which he had given, and which any
teacher choosing to do so, could take and use,
would be sufficient for two years practice. He
concluded by saying few words about draw
ing the human form and objects generally,
with brief explanation of perspective and Of
the point of sight,
| Mr.. Stetson took up the subject of reading
and proceeded to show how the reading exer-
cises in school could be so conducted as not
to consume more than one half of the time at
| present devoted to these exercises by the
teacher, and yet give the pupil three or four
| times as much drill as he now receives. In
the largest school not more than one hour
and a quarter OF the teachers time should be
| consumed in hearing reading exercises; at
present from two to three hours are thus con-
sumed, and yet the average amount of drill
received by each pupil does not exceed three
to five minutes a day, when it should be at
least twenty. Mr. Stetson explained the
method he would pursue for individual read
ing, and also the David Stow method of con-
cert reading, which has been found to pro-
duce such fine results in the best Scottish
schools, and wherever else it has been used.
1t is simplicity itself, starting with the single
word, then the short phrase, then a longer
phrase and afterwards the whole sentence. The
pupils read after the teacher, and not with,
and each one reads Independently, though
there may be fifty in the class There is no
sng-song, but perfect expression. The fore
noon concluded with practical discourse,
by Prof Allen, upon the best way to classify
a country school. a programme was dis
tributed among the teacher, indicating the
lumber of classes proper for the school, and
the time for each recitation. 1t was not ex-
pccted that the programme would fit every
school, but it would afford the teachers a
model after which they could pattern, making
such changes as their schools, in each case,
might rexuire.
In the afternoon the examination of teach
ers occurred. Ten questions in each study
were written upon the blackboard by Prof.
Allen, the teachers giving written answers
The exercises of the Institute closed last
evening with a lecture from Prof Allen on
the Training of Children The lecture was
listened to by large and attentive audience,
and the excellent ideas advanced cannot fail
of having their legitimate influence, and pro-
ducing good results. Taken as whole the
exercises Of the Institute have been of the
deepest interest TO teachers and educators.
Mr.. Bigclow. the Supervisor, is to be con-
graduated on his good fortune in securing an
able corps of instructors for the work in
hand. We are sure that the one hundred and
twenty-five teachers who availed themselves
of the privileges of the Institute will go to
their winters work better fitted for imparting
instruction to the young.