Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-06-29
otter Creek valley Teachers Asso'
citation.

Valley Teachers Association commenced
its session at the School House in
the Village of Wallingford yesterday, a
large number of the members OF the AS
soc;atiop. teachers and friends being pres
emit.
At II o'clock, a. m, Henry Clark OF
Rutland, President of the Association
took the chair, and called the meeting to
order
Prayer was offered by Rev. Joseph ID.
Wiokham, D. D., of Manchester.
In the absence of the Secretary, Rev.
T. A. Austin of Manchester, Samuel H.
Kelley of Rutland was elected Secretary
pro tempore.
The minutes Of the semi-annual meet
ing holden at New Haven were read.
On motion Of A. E. Leavenworth of
New Haven, the delivery of the introduce
tory address Of the President was post
poned until the opening OF the afternoon
session..
After brief remarks by A Z. Leaven-
worth OF New Haven, Rev. j. ID. Wick
ham of Manchester and Henry Clark of
Rutland, the Association adjourned until
the afternoon.
AFTERNOON.
The Association convened at the School
House at half past one o'clock, p. m, the
President in the chair.
Henry Clark then delivered the intro
ductory address. Subject, Enthusiasm
in Teaching"
Immediately after the address followed
discussion in reference to English Gram
mar and Reading" which was opened by
Judah Dana of Rutland, and was partici-
pated in by Messrs. Cilley of Brandon,
of Middlebury.
Recess of ten minutes.
At the roassembing of the Association,
the following letter was read by the
President:
BRANDON, June %.
Prof. H. S. ClUey-Dedr Friend Il
am very sorry not to be able to lecture at
Walingford tonight and fulfill my en-
gagemeut at Chicago on Monday next.
did not discover that it will be imposs.
BILE to reach Chicago in season for my
business till few minutes ago. Please
express my regrets to the Association.
Hoping you may have a pleasant and
profitable meeting, l am most sincerely
Yours and theirs,
FRANKLIN TUXBURY.
A. J. Sanboru, Principal of Middlebury
Graded Schools, then delivered an able
and instructive address on The public
school and the public school teacher
their effects upon society and nations oo-
cupying some fifty minutes in the deiv-
ery. and illustrating his subjects with
facts, statistics and authorities.
On motion the Association adjourned
to meet at the Congregational Church at
7 o'clock, p m.
EVENING.
A large audience assembled at the
Congregational Church in the evening,
where, after music by select choir,
powerful, instructive and appropriate adj
dress was delivered by Rev. DR.. Kitchell,
D. D., President of Middlebury College,
in reference to the duties of teachers.
At the close of the address, on motion
Of A. f. Leavenworth of New Haven, the
thanks of the Association were unani-
mously rendered to DIR. Kitchell for his
address
On motion OF Judah Dana, of Rutland.
collection was t,ken up from the men,
bers to dofray the expenses of the Assoc
citation.
After music, Oassius A. Castle of Bur-
lington, delivered poem on schools and
School Teachers" replete with wit and
happy hits.
The Association then adjourned until
this morning at o'clock.
FRIDAYS DISCUSSION.
The discussion on English Grammar and
Reading" was opened by Judah Dam of
Rutland.
He commenced by saying that he re-
GREETED that he could not bring better
feeling to the discussion, but suffered un-
der severe hoadache he would, howev-
ar, endeavor to say few words for the
benefit of the teachers present. The first
thing is the rudiments of the English lam
gpaqe. and these must be taught and IN
derstood thoroughly. Reading underlies
the whole, and il. therefore, of course,
tn most important No other study can
be attained until this is thoroughly stud
led and also understood. This Of all stud.
les is the most neglected and abused IN
our schools. I do not follow 10 the track
of the teachers of fifty and sixty years
ago iAt that time and when I was taught
reading, the letters were pointed out and
learned and then the small words. As
we began to advance, we did not stop to
SPELL but would pronounce the words
without regard to sense, and were taught
to read as fast as possible without regard
to sense, expression or meaning. Priz'
es were given lone of which he wonl for
the best reader, but it was to the one
who could read the fastest, not the best.
| want to say to the teachers that they
must keep their scholars reading single
sentence until they have mastered it's
meaning and the idea, no matter how
much time is occupied. Ii they are so
taught reading. they will study and read
all other branches the same way. Don't
stop until you gain this. Make them un-
derstand the rudiments of the English
language which is tie foundation of ev-
erything else. In schools where this is
done foundation is laid, strong and
deep, for an education. In other schools
there is u difference, and the excuse is
made that the parents want their children
te "get along" He did not think
III is wa so, if properly explained
VIII VI parents did want was for their
obildr .n to get understanding. "