Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-03-24
Our Public schools.
TEACHERS MEETINGS

The public school teachers of the city
spend every alternate Saturday forenoon IN
G kind of school of their own. where they
pass the time in learning from each otnsr
through model class exercises, essays, CRIT
ioisms and free discussion Of methods anu
matters pertaining to school work. Inc
plan of these meetings was arranged, early
in the Fall. by the Superintendent OF Schools
who directs and takes active part in the
exercises.
The following brief report of one of the
late meetings, prepared by one of the teach
ers, will indicate something Of the WORK
done
In his openiag remarks, the Super
intendent called attention to the practical
and vitality important subject Of the heating
and ventilation Of school rooms in relation
to the health and comfort of teachers and
pupils, urging proper attention to these
points. On the subject Of discipline. he
discouraged harsh and hasty measures a.
demoraliZing and tending to lessen the re
spect of scholars for teachers.
Next came class IL geography from tne
grammar school. An outline map had been
nestly drawn upon the blackboard by one
Of the class, to be completed during the
recitation Ia the time allotted to the ex-
ereise. much work was quietly done, one re
citing. another pointing on the map, and
! third writing upon the board the answer
given The whole exercise Was fine Illus
tration Of how much scholars, by proper
training, can be taught to do in the limited
time Of an ordinary recitation.
/ After recess, the teachers engaged in a
/ lively exercise in the pronunciation ofwords
4 from printed lists furnished them. Many
/ Of the words selected were Of those in com
mon use but liable to Incorrect pronuncia-
ton.
Then came a written adverse criticism oil
the late meeting Of ;he State Teachers As
ISOLATION, By teacher assigned to the work,
while another followed with a warm defence
Of the same. A thoughtful and web writ
ten essay closed tie exercises of the fore
noon
Since the Inauguration Of these meetings,
various class exercises have been conducted
by teachers with pupils from the different
schools. in which the teachers nave had
ample opportunity % observe and critleise
the methods Of each other. The teachers
have engaged IN Evolutionary drill, and IN
the discussion OF questions connected witt
.hooi work previously assigned. They have
also prepared and read essays on such sub
iec,s q. "S:hool Methods" The Teacher
out Of School. ''"Il0w to Maintain Order,
Vocal Music in the School" At one OF
the meetings of the Fall term, Rev. Mr..
Ware gave his valuable and entertaining
lecture on "Gentecl English" for which
occasion it was originally prepared. The
Superintendent has given much valuable
information on subjects connected with the
welfare Of the schools, not forgetting to en-
force proper attention to points bearing On
the health Of school children.
Taken together, the meetings haze been OF
highly interesting and practical charac-
ter, and it is believed that the teachers gen
orally have enjoyed and obtained much
benefit from them. Superintendent Alger
is entitled 10 much credit for his success in
carving out plan 50 thoughtfnlly and
wisely conceived. and in securing the
hearty cooperation Of the teachers who
have ch5erlully PERFORM ! The parts assign
et them