The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-07
STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
Twenty.sovonth Annual Meeting.

Twenty Seventh Annual Meeting.
The discussion of "The best methods in
teaching, and how to secure them," was
then taken up.
A. E. Leavenworth was of the opinion
that the student should be considered as an
active not passive subject, and that the
method should be such as is best adapted to
the individual wants or requirements OF the
students and not according to any particu-
lar form. If the experience of others was
like his, he thought that altogether too
much prominence was given to mathematics
in most cases-lt seemed in many instances
as if the child's head was crammed with
arithmetic as if it was the one thing need
full for an education. The speaker was in
favor of life certificates and competent pre-
paration for obtaining them-as well license
lawyer, or physician for one term, one
year, or five, as competent teacher. Had
this subject been assigned him fifteen
years ago he could have marked out per-
feet method, but in the light Of his expe-
rience as an educator, he was perfectly
frank to say that he could not give any best
method in teaching.
Walter i. Howard, principal state nor
NAL school, Castleton, read an able and ex-
haustive paper. He should not lay down
any fixed rule for teaching-was in favor
of making the rule the last thing learned,
giving the student the opportunity of being
his own rule and author. he deprecated
the teaching of arithmetic as the one whole
aim of the scholars life for ten years in the
common school, which is the average school
of three.quarters of the people. The speak
er was aware that he was advocating what
would be considered heresy, as much 80
as the idea that congress had no constitu-
tional power to go behind the returns,
whether they had or not, there was no
question that In teaching it had always been
considered unconstitutional for scholars to
60 behind the rule set down IN the books,
or the rule to go behind the student. He
would finish arithmetic in two years, and
insist upon the teacher being competent to
expound principles not books, in all the
branches; this together with enthusiasm is
the secret of all success. He wouldset the
dignitied school-master to driving hearse,
and put in their places live men not afraid
of good joke and possessing common
sense, who did not make the school room q
(dignified) judgment hall.
At half past ten o'clock the pupils of the
Bennington graded schools gave an exhibit
tion IN reading music at sight, under the
direction Of Fred N. Squires. The tests of
the drill OF the class were thorough and re-
fectcd credit both upon teacher and scholar.
None who witnessed the exhibition could
fail to be convinced of the necessity and
use of music in the public schools.
At this time the president made announce
ment that the will of the late Arunah
Huntington of Bradford, Pc, bequeathed
two hundred thousand dollars for the bene-
fit OF the public schools of Vermont. The
announcement was received with applause.
Presidsnt Buckham then called upon Henry
Clark Of Rutland to speak upon the sub
ject, to which Mr.. Clark briefly responded,
giving some information relative to the
donor and the appreciation her native state
should have of such munifcent gift to
aid in the education of her sons and daugh-
tiers.
Edward Conant, superintendent of pub
lie education, then spoke upon the ellis
tory of Education in Vermont" and gave
an interesting and valuable sketch of our
educational history and policy.
AFTERNOON
The afternoon session was opened with
well prepared and interesting essay upon
sour Work" by Miss Macia p. Brown of
the Rutland graded schools.
This was followed by a discussion en- the
question "What special claims has the
state upon the teachers" Prof. 1. W.
Durham of Bennington graded schools
opended in thoughtful and interesting
paper. In the absence of Prof. ]. 8. Gil
ley of the Brandon graded schools, on &C
count of illness, Henry Clark of Rutland
supplied his place by request, speaking
upon both the claims of the state, upon the
teachers, and the claims of the teacher
upon the citizen.
Prof. E. H. Higley of Middlebury col
lege gave learned, we'll conceived address
on "The study of the Past" which at times
brought down the house by it humorous al
lueions.
EVENING.
At the evening session Prof. j. d. Bart
ley, principal of the Burlington graded
schools, read very interesting paper on
"Success in Teaching"
The concluding address was delivered by
Prof. William Wells, of Union college, on
sErrors in our social life"