Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-12-21
Educational Meetings.


The public meeting Of this recently formed as
ISOLATION, held at Moretown, December 10th, WAS
a most decided success. The audience in the
morning was large and constantly increased until
evening when the number present reached two hun
dred seventy-fve. Thirty teachers were present
and much interest was manifested by the cit
izens who ably seconded the association in maxi
ing the occasion pleasant The excellent music
furnished by the Methodist Episcopal choir and
others deserves mention, especially the solos and
the Greeting Song by eight little girls
The morning session was called to order by
President f. f. Dcnahoe, and after music by
choir and invocation by Rev s. b. Currier, Mr..
E. A. Heath Of Moretown made some practical
Introductory remarks covering a wide range Of
subjects lie was followed by Principal A. W.
Edison Of Randolph, who spoke mental arith-
metic. The teachers present were formed into
class and the method Of teaching beginners prac-
tically illustrated. The class taught to count
add, and subtract, by means OF counters and nu-
neral frame ARTICLES every primary teacher
should have), and was drilled In various exer-
cises suitable for general class drill. The
teachers were also given many valuable sug-
gestons. Practical arithmetic, next upon the
programme, had been assigned to Principal ].
Raymond Bracket of Montpelier, who ably illus
trated his remarks by use OF the blackboard
The afternoon session was opened with music.
Miss II. M. Holden Of Watsield in a well writ
ten essay gave her experience in teaching begin
ners to read by the Word Method. Miss Sadie
Thompson Of Fayston, teacher OF much expert
encein primary schools, also read an essay, First
steps In writing. For beginners she would dis
card pen and ink and use scratched states. The
scussion-Grammar: How and When--was
opened by j. II. Senter Of Warren He would not
have pupils taught by the old method-memori-
zing much but not making application OF what they
learn, but would teach them language. Query,
does he think those mentioned as lacking reason
also deficient in language2) An interesting feature
Of the session the question box. The questions
were numerous and on various subjects relating
to school matters.
In the evening the gentleman rst upon the pro-
gramme was absent but his place well filled by
Mr. M. d. Mcmahon OF Stowe whose remarks upon
qualifications of teachers were brief but to the
point. He was followed in the discussion, which
proved lively one, by Messrs Currier, E. and
b. Bisbee, Donahoe, and Heath of Moretowp,
Senter Of Warren, and Gould OF West Randolph.
School management was the subject of State Su-
perintendent Dart who in his remarks made some
very valuable suggestions which were highly APP
preciated by both teachers and citizens. Resolu-
tions OF thanks passed by association to the
speakers, citizens, choir, and NJ Z. society, were
read and the meeting adjourned.
AT wILLIAMsTowN
A meeting Of the Orange County Teachers As
ISOLATION was held in the town hall, commencing
on the evening of the 18th instant and continu.
| ing through the 18th. The discussion of language
lessons was introduced by Miss Mary Scales Of
Chelsea. For young pupils she believed most
fully in the superiority OF this method. As used
by our best teachers 1t is far preferable to the old
system OF grammar. 1t teaches the pupils how
to think to construct sentences, to express his
thoughts Miss Barker of Randolph discussed
methods of teaching language lessons and dwell
especially upon the necessity Of teaching pupils
to acquire command of language. A genera
discussion on this subject followed. Advanced
grammar" the next subject, was opened by Mr.
Edison OF Randolph. He did not believe in crowd
ing many dry rules and definitions upon the pu
pill, but would teach the grammar Of the Language
in a practical way. Language is a medium fol
the expression Of thought Let it be taught as
such. lie endorsed the Reed and Kellogg system
| Mr.. Comstock of Chelsea believed the diagram
the most effectual means Of bringing out wha
the pupil knows, or does not know, about the sen
fences. The discussion following brought ou
the general opinion that the analysis Of the sen
tence was far superior to the old method OF par
sing. The study of Geography and History o
Vermont" was taken up by Mr.. Rocheleau o
Randolph, and this much neglected branch wa
tba loot - t.fa att,nxI
The Saturday morning session was opened by
discussion on instruction in primary geography
Emancipation from rigid confinement to thu
textbook, resort to practical illustrations from
nature comprehension of distance and directions
familiar talks on the subject and carefully ma
tured efforts to invest the study with reality were
enjoined upon teachers and many practica
methods for effecting these objects were dis
closed. Advanced Geography was the subject o
| a comprehensive discussion in which Mr.. Roche
eau, Miss Scales, Mr.. Comstock, Mr.. Edison an,
Mr.. Goodhue took part. The general character
of the earth as a planet, local physical character
istics, political divisions Of mankind, difference
Of soil and climate, and the effects OF cmRt
were topics included in the idea OF true instruc
ton in geography. Mr.. Carpenter OF Brookfiel
advocated a free use of the blackboard, especially
In arithmetic and grammar, and gave school off
GERS a sharp word in regard to the poor black
boards In most school-houses. The opinion de
veloped in general discussion was that tn
blackboard was the teachers best assistant.
The afternoon session was opened with "ger
eral exercises" as topic by Miss Ainswortf
Would tell the school story, have singing
give them some topic to write about for five O
ten minutes ANYTHING To interest and instruct an