Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-12-02

D
ply; Chemistry. In the district schools
Geography is taught where Philosophy
should be.
I Fifth Mathematics. First under this
study would place Geometry of forms
i of blocks; Arithmetic, mental and
written; 8 Algebra; 4 Geometry 10y de.
monstralion His idea wa. to let the
child go through percentage in AriIhme
tic and them throw ii aside. Pot him
then into Algebra, beginning at the
equations, aud you will lii him Tor all tue
practical purposes of lite.
After a. iuteltnission of fifteen min.
uteS the professor resumed his lecturing
10y speaking upon The Importance of study
in schools and the modes of Introducing
phy seal studies into the primary schools.
His idea was that chemistry, physiology
and uaIu.al history should be taught in
all common schools.
SECOND DAY.
After the reading OF 4 portion ot scrip
ture and prayer by Rev. Mr.. Hayden.
Prof Allen introduced the topic upon
which be dwelt the previous day-ihe
period of faith and the period of philuo'
phj aud urged their value upon those
present. When teacher thoroughly
understands the philosophy OF teaching
| he will avoid many mistakes he would
otherwise tall into. Nothing is to be
gained by tying to lolcs y pupil to com
I pl,tely understand point too soon; let
him think, aud in time nc will compro.
hcud your meaning Many points arc TO
bc accepted As facts. without trying 10
show why. The general question OF
study upon which he acXt dwelt, he sub.
divided into. first. basis OF TACT and
I philosophy; second, of science aud
mathematics; thud. a programme. \
programme mast be made with due re.
gard to the convenience of the pupils
aud not wholly tor the benefit OF the
teacher Books, said he, are grindstones,
on which the noses of pupils are held.
AL that is done outside could he put in
your eve without injury. Making your
I first rectationS in the morning such a.
require little study. Nathemalic need
not necessarily come in the morning and
grammer in the evening. Olen times
the same scholar will have two or>Ihree
reci.atious in succession This should
be avoided If possible. The main points
OF interest and profit must necessarily
come from the teacher Therefore pupils
should have time after each lesson TO di
geSt such points.
lie did not believe in consecutive
studies. The objects OF study are lSI.
the requisite necessary; 2d, the means
by which il is secured. The grand ob
iect OF study i, the discipline OF the mind.
The hours for study should be shortened.
Much more depends upon the quality OF
Inc work done by the pupil than the
length Of time he is doing it. The mind
should be concentrated The nerve
power Of the pupil should be awakened
50 that be viii not only grasp an idea.
but hold il. A mistake i. often made by
pupils by going over lesson two much
without giving il that thought they
ought. Several very apt illustrations
were given upon this point.
At3:l5 a recess of fifteen minutes was
taken, after which Prsi. J. W. Corthell
OF Calai. entered upon discussion OF
"Th. nobility of our language. This
subject was dwelt upon at length, and
illustrated finely in the easy pleasant
manner of this distinguished education
al.t under the following points: lst,
its capasilility Of expressing emotions;
Cd, It's concisenoss Sd, its intensity 4th,
the necessity of its study. This necessi
ty distinguishes the educated from the
ignorant; it gives pleasure; 9th. it gives
power over others, and this element of
power WAS illustrated by thought and
expression.
Failure to properly use this power was
dwelt upon under the following heads;
Pronunciation OF voice; grammatical
forms; care in the use of words, and this
was subdivided into exaggerations and
synonym; in the use of fgurative lam
guage. The Professor gave some OF the
reasons for this failure, and elaborated
the thought under the following heads;
A mistake AS TO the mode ol teaching;
too much time has been spent in the
study; il mas been treated as an inheclivc
language.
Prot. Corlhcll was lull OF thought, and
clear aud graceful in its expression.
There were eighteen teachers present
from out of the city.
THIRD DAY.
The first topic taken up by PIof. Allen
after the opening exercises, was an ex-
PLANTATION of "Prang's Natural History
Cards" and the method OF teaching
them. These cards are the finest ever
before arranged for schools. After this
he took up the means for securing study,
being The third division under Study
in the School Room" treated OF yester-
day. These were presented under the
following heads: Isl, Merit and demerit
marks; 2d, Ranking; 81. Roll of honor; ;
4ih, Reporting 5Ih, Rewards and prizes /;
9th Punishment; 7th Appetizing; each
OF these were discussed and their merits