The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-12-24
The Ashuelot Valley Teachers Associa'
ton.

The following report is kindly fur
nished us by an Addison County young
lady who attended the meetings des-
cribed:
This organization has been In exis-
tence for about three years. It was
instituted for the special benefit of the
common school teachers by C.P. Hall of
Hinesdale and j. w. Mallory, formerly
Of Sudbury, VT, who is now principal
of the high school at Winchester, New
Hampshire, at which place very pleas
ant and profitable meeting of this as
ISOLATION took place last Saturday, Dec.
10.
The day was most favorable and the
attendance large; many coming from
the several towns in this vicinity. Hon.
J. w. Patterson, the state superlntend-
ent of schools, who gave very inter-
esting address there the preceding eve
ming, was also present.
The opening devotional exercises,
conducted by Rev. Z. Harmon, took
place at $40 q. m. Miss Hattie Ly-
man, of Winchester, read very prac-
tical essay on "How 10 gain the goo /
will of scholars" A discussion on tie
same subject followed, participated in
by Messrs, G. P. Hall, Bailey, Harmon,
II. ". Patterson, G. W. Whitaker aud
J. W. Mallory. They each advanced
ideas of interest, some making useful
suggestions on government, discipline,
order, memory, appreciation, kindness,
etc.
After a few moments intermission,
the subject of writing was treated; first
by Mr.. Hall. He would give special
attention to the manner of holding the
pen. He thought all small children
should be taught to write by count in
concert and would devote much time in
movement exercises as means of de-
veloping the muscles of the fiuger and
forearm.
Mr.. Baker, professor of penman-
ship, belived in practical writing, and
would give young children practice on
slate in straight and curve lines. Prof
Bailey of Keene high school, illustrated
his manner of setting copies. lie pla-
ces his characters and letters at the left
side of the page instead of the top and
prefers foolscap paper to copy books.
He would never allow two ways of
forming letter, and suggested two gen.
eral principles, legibility, and speed.
At twelve o'clock the meeting was
adjourned for dinner. The Witches
ter people were very hospitable and
abundant entertainment was sup
piled.
At half past one o'clock the exercises
were resumed. Arithmetic was the
next topic taken into consideration,
Prof. Bailey giving many instructive
hints In regard to his manner of pre-
sentirg 1t to his pupils. He thought
the whole subject came under the two
heads, "How to use numbers" "When
to use numbers" In separating a
number into periods, for convenience,
points should be placed at the top, as
that would avoid mistaking them for
decimal points; he would require pu-
pills to add up and down before the
work was considered complete.
He regarded factoring as very import
ant, and would advise the use of
abridged methods. In adding, SUBJ
tracing and multiplying fractions they
should be written one above another;
and In division the same as in whole
numbers. In getting the common de-
nominator he takes only two fractions
at time. Mr.. Bailey made many.
other valuable suggestions, to make
mention of which Time will not per-
init.
While slips were being prepared for
the question box, Miss Frances Bald
win read an extract from Handy Andy.
After numerous questions were dis
cussed and answered, the time for
closing arrived and the meeting was
adjourned. 1t is expected that the
next meeting will be holden at West
6wansey.