The Portland daily press., 1876-12-29
MAINE TEACHERS.
Annual Meeting ofthe Stale Educational
Association.

BATH, Dec. %, 1876
The Maine State Educational Association
held the opening meeting of its tenth annual
session Wednesday evening. Upon the motion
| of Mr.. Patten the exercises for the evening
were omitted in order to accept an invitation of
| the Phi Pho Society of Bath to attend lecture
| by Mr.. Marshall.
The meeting of Thursday morning was
opened with prayer by Rev. Mr.. Gregson of
Bath.
Paper upon Educational Reform was read
by Mr. Charles Fish, A. NJ, of Oldtown. The
prominent points of the paper were: The
wrong system in vogue of confning recitation
work to the text book phraseology; our present
course of study is not in accord with the nau-
raj order of Development; perceptives are nat.
urally developed first; faculties of observation
fall into dsuse; disagreeable work is early i'm
posed; elementary science should be introduced
into the lower schools.
Paper upon Grammar School Work" was
read by Arthur B. Morrill, of Portland, an
abstract of which is as follows: The inefficien-
cy OF our graduates in elementary branches is a
noticeable truth; our grammar schools are apt
to work for examinations at the entrance of the
high school rather than for the requirements of
life; abridgment and economy in methods is
demanded; persistent and effective drill is es-
sential; departure from the grammar school
should be digniied with the Formally of grad
uation; the expedieney of introducing lessons
from science was Endorsed as necessary for de-
veloping mental habits and high aspirations.
An animated discussion of the papers fol-
owed.
Paper upon Elementary Science in the Pub
lie Schools was read by Horato o. Ladd of
New Hampshire Normal School.
Two questions were suggested-How can ele-
mentary science be taught to the average pu.
pill, and advanced work to high school pupils?
A chids faculties are for acquisition not use ;
his early experience is disturbed by the artifi.
cial methods of the schools; the state needs cit
liens capable of knowing and judging. Quail
ity of judgment, positveness Of knowledge,
unwavering action are developed by nature.
Books are too technical and too full of rhetoric.
The teachers must present science incidentally;
in the high school tastes of the pupils must be
regarded. Future need should determine the
course of study. 1t must begin early to coun-
teract materialstc tendencies.
A paper upon "The Language was read by
Mr.. D. A. Robinson of Bangor. Change from
the old method of parsing, analysis SC, to the
practice of using language correctly was urged.
Time should not be wasted upon rules and
forms, but devoted to criticism and right usage.
The book should be thrown out of school and
its place supplied by exercise in expression.
Let parsing, analysis, &C., be deferred to the
high school,
Discussion of the paper followed
Paper upon ''The Teacher Student by
Albert G. Perkins of Philips Exeter Academy.
The popular objections to teaching, as pro-
tession, were considered the principal of
which is that teaching makes one narrow.
Confidence inspired by early success, lack of
competition, such as the lawyer, doctor and
minister meet, are the Disadvantages of the
teachers profession. Diligence Of study is the
habit necessary to counterfeit degenerating in
fluences. The teacher shoald be a student of
methods; there should be special thought with
reference to the work of every day. Thorough
knowledge of the branch taught is essential
Teachers must be painstaking, accurate stu
dents Written examinations are sometimes
oppressive and waste time. Too many should
be discouraged, that time for study may be af-
forded to the teacher. Faithful discharge of
duty will secure the proper place for a teacher
The profession can only be established by per-
sstent work.
Paper upon Teaching Geography was read
by G. 7. Fletcher of the Castine Normal
School, The professor knows the world, the
pupil the book. Pupils study books, not the
world. The child should study the world as he
can observe it in his own vicinity. Let the
teacher accompany the class upon excursions
for studying plains, hills, rivers, sc. More can
be attained thus than from books. Let the
pupils draw diagrams of parts of the school
house frst;then maps of outdoor districts ;thus
they are led to study parts of the world beyond
reach.
The afternoon session commenced az
o'clock. The following committees were ap-
pointed:
On Resolutons-L. G. Jordan, Lewiston; j.
W. Rich, Kents Hill; A. A. Woodbridge,
Rockland; Mrs S. P. Walker, Bath; Mrs. j.
A: Philbrook, Bangor.
Upon Nomlnations-C. G. Rounds, Farming
ton; s. b. Files, Augusta; G. A. Page, Calais.
The merits of the New England Journal Of
Education were presented.
Prof. Chapman of Bowdoin College read
paper on English literature This study, he
said, is regarded as an ornamental study. 1t
ought to be study of the elementary schools
He discussed the best method of interesting
children in the study. The teacher must be
enthusiastic. The study should appear to the
child as an entertainment