Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-09-10
Teachers Institute.

county met at Hancock Hall, on Mon
day, at 10 O'Clock A. NJ, under the in.
siruciion of Prof. French OF Vermont,
aud \. \. Luce of Freedom.
The number OF Teachers present were
%. After some preliminary remarks
by Mr.. Luce and Prof. French, the In.
siitute adjourned until O'Clock, p. NJ.
AFTERNOON.
The exercises commenced with an
hours lecture by Prof. French, upon
the mental faculties, as ordinarily de.
veloped in children from five TO ten
years of age. The discussion was in
teresting and important to teachers as
giving the basis of the teachers work.
aud was closely listened TO BY all pres
ent.
The next exercise was lesson in
practical drawing, by Mr. Luce. This
is comparatively new branch of gener-
al education, and has heretofore been
introduced into but few schools in Han
cock County. Its desirableness and
utility must commend itself TO all. and
the day il not distant, when its intro,
duction as one of the regular branches
to be taught in Common Schools, will
become general.
The closing exercise was 4 discussion
OF the Pestalozzian system of instruc-
ton, by Prof French.
Tuesday, Sept. sih
FORENOON.
Number OF Teachers present, 40. Lee.
ture upon the organization of school.
by Prof. French. The ordinary multi.
plicity of classes in schools was con-
demned. Length Of recitations consid-
cred
Mr.. Luce continued his lessons in
drawing.
AFTERNOON.
Lecture by Prof. French on Local &C.
ography.
Some idea of the Professors plan NAV
be gained from the following analysis:
l.-pircction. including Points Of Compass.
II-pi,tance short aud long)
lll.-Aap Of .chool-roOm lmeasurcmcnt.
lN.-Map % school Districts.
N.-Land and " alter surface.
Ni-Land. ]. Begin with Plain. . Hill. 3,
Mountain. 4, Valley. 5. Gorge. Pass.
YU.-Wa.er. /. Brook. .. River. Main
siream and branches, banks and BID }
49, 3: Spring. !. Pond. 3. Lake &. sea.
NIlL-L1nd and Water coutrasicd. Island.
i.thnus. Cape, Peninsular Lake, Strait.
Harbor. Bay.
Continuation of Drawing Lessons.
Closing exercise TUESDAY afternoon.
Exercise in the combination of num-
bers, in which all the teachers of the
Institute engaged.
The column of figures consisted OF
ten numbers of three figures each; re-
quired the sum
Twenty teachers reported ten differ
ent results.
The moral drawn from this diversity
OF results was, imperfect know ledge in
the combination of numbers, attributa-
bic to lack Of practice.
KyENING.
Subject, Spelling.
In commencing his lecture. Prof.
French denied the assertion, SO often
made, that our schools are not so good
now as thirty years ago. He believed
the fact TO be otherwise. In orthogra-
ply he thought the BOYS and girls in
our schools or .rrreeH years Of age,
would spell more CORRECTLY than their
fathers and mothers. Spelling should
be taught in two WAYS, orally and by
writing. The last should be the mos,
practiced. In spelling not only the
true arrangement OF letters. should be
taught, but pronunciation, use of CAPT.
tails, syllabicalion and sounds of letters
The instruction given to the teacher.
on this subjec. was paactical and yalua.
bic and must have commended itself tc
them, as sensible and worthy Of adop.
ton.