Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-30
s,ate Teachers, Association.

The closing session of the Massachusetts
teachers association was held in the high school
house hall, Saturday morning. The attendance
was, as at the previous sessions, very small. AT
the opening of the meeting Two or three unim-
portant amendments TO the constitution were
proposed for action next year. The treasurer's
report for the last year showed receipts TO the
amount of SS643.73, expenses S374SS9, leaving
a balance of S105.16 due the treasurer. A letter
from Rev. j. p. Coles of Ipswich, one of the
original members of the association, containing
words of greeting to the teachers assembled,
was read by the president, after which the fol-
lowing list Of officers, reported by be committee
on nominations, was unanimously adopted:
President-Albert g. Boyden of Rridgewater.
Vice Presidents-Milan Z. Stebblns of Spring
field, Albert p. Marble of Worcester, Sarah j.
Baker of Boston, Chas Huchins Of Boston, Chas
p. Rugg of New Bedford, Nathaniel I. Allen of
Newton, Edward /. Comins of Worcester, NJ lsa-
bella Hanson of Newton, VIM: G: Collar of Boston,
Charlestown, A. X. slase q Fall River, Alfred B.
Miller of Pittsheld, Isaac Walker of Ware:
Recording Secretary--Afred Bunker of Boston.
Assistant Recording Secretaries-Henry F. How
ard of Newton Simeon J. Dunbar of Arlington.
Corresponding Secretary-E. Bentley Young of
Boston.
Treasurer-Wm. F. Bradbury of Cambridge.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Hammond Of Monson, Dam
lei II. magyar OF Joan w OF w est
field, John p. Payson of Chelsea, Daniel D. Patten
OF Winchester, Rebecca A. Sheldon OF Springfield
Thomas Emerson of Newton, Frank A. Hill OF
Chelsea, Lafayette F. Ward of Northampton, By
ron Groce OF Peabody, David Bentley of Brookline
VIM. w. Spauldiug of Adams.
The discussions of the day were opened by j.
G. Scott Of Westfeld, who read paper on
"What shall be included in the study Of English
grammar" The word grammar said the speak
er, originally included everything pertaining to
language, but has been narrowed in signlica-
ton until it now embraces only knowledge of
the construction of propositions in a language,
In teaching grammar care should be taken to
accurately define and limit the use of technical
terms; the ideas should precede the words, and
the properties and qualities of thing must be
found in the thing ITSELF The classification of
nouns into common, proper, concrete, etc, is
unnecessary, as are rules governing the person,
and in some cases the number and gender Of
nouns. Grammar does not include all that
should be taught as regards language, but only
comparatively unimportant part, and while
the study of grammar is well enough in its
proper place, it should be set aside in the lower
grades of school in favor of elementary instruc.
ton in natural sciences. In the high school one
years instruction in grammar will be sufficient.
NJ c. Stebbins of Springfield contended that
language is system OF arbitrary signs used for
specific purposes, and the only laws that should
govern are those of usage.
B. +. Tweed of Charlestown thought that too
much attention was paid to technical terms.
All that is necessary to teach is how to speak
and write correctly. It will be time enough to
int fav 1ybo
selves are able to agree upon their meaning.
Prof Harris Il. Greene Of this city argued
that there ought to be no difficulty about nm
Outstanding the science of grammar. In his
idea the true definition of the case, which was
one of the principal points of difference, was
simply form, not relation,
Mr.. Dickinson, principal of the Normal
school at West6eld, read paper on the same
subject, which gave rise to further discussion,
participated in by President Hammond, I. H.
Kimpton OF Chicopee, and some of the previous
speakers
The question was then laid upon the table,
and the next topic of discussion, ''rhe proper
use of text books" was introduced by L. +.
Warren Of West Newton. The speaker con-
tended that the use of text books was in most
cases, especially in the lower grades of schools,
unnecessary and Improbable. In history, no
books except blank book, in which should be
written the topics prepared by the teacher, were
needed, and in arithmetic rome except those
containing simply examples and tables. The
teacher should supply the rest. Except in read
ing lessons, the text book should be in the hands
of the teacher instead of the pupil until the
economy of time on the part of the teacher
should demand the change.
Remarks followed from T. Ii. Kimpton of
Chicopee, John P. Payson of Chelsea, Supern-
tendent Hale Of Cambridge, the president, and
Messrs. Danton, principal ofthe Boston Normal
school, and Stetson Of Auburn, Ne.
The committee on resolutions reported Sc
ries, which were adopted, extending the thanks
of the association to the school board for the
use of the building, to the essayists for their
contributions to the success of the meeting, and
to the hotels and railroads for reduced rates.
The association then adjourned with the singing
of Old Hundred, in accordance with custom.
The meeting of the association has hardly
been success in point Of numbers. The in
tense cold weather, the snow blockade, and the
Christmas holidays have all combined to pre-
vent out Of town teachers from attending to any
great extent. The discussions have, however,
been very interesting for the most part, and con-
Quoted with spirit and courtesy.