The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-12-04

average percentage, I'D.
After the transaction of the usual business
the association listened to paper by Mr.. Tash
upon securing the cooperation of parents
which was substantially as follows:
II is of the greatest importance to secure the
cooperation Of parents as an element of sue
cess. No teacher, whatever his ability, can be
considered successful unless the parents of his
pupils are interested in his work. Three
methods of securing the attention OF parents
towards the teachers work are: First, visit.
alton. There is often reluctance on the part
of teachers to visit parents, but when they do
so en- proper occasions the interest of the par
ents is secured. Parents are more likely to be
interested in a teacher with whom they are &C.
quainted than in one who is total stranger to
them. This may be the foundation for the
praise we sometimes hear bestowed upon the
old-time country schools, where the teacher
boarded round" and in time was the inmate
of every family. In tie boasted Prussian
schools the teacher supplements the pastor
and in his absence makes the parochial visits
and often performs the church service. By &C.
quRintance with the parents many school diff
culties may be amicably and satisfactorily ad-
justed, and the parents are led to visit the
schoolroom. In his visits the teacher should
avoid all appearance of catering to wealth or
influence. The poor should be visited as FREE
quently as the rich.
Not so much is expected of the teachers in
the way of visitations in cities as in rural dis
trlcts, and this means of better understanding
is more likely to be neglected. Teachers
Bhould invite parents to their schools, appoint
visiting days and arrange exercises in the
schools to interest them. These exercises may
be made very interesting to the young. Par
ents visiting our schools should always be
treated with courtesy and respect. 1t is Sc
rious reflection on teachers work that he has
little or no Wis tatlons.
A second means OF securing cooperation of
parents is to manifest deep personal interest
in each child. Interest begets interest This
sympathy reaches home, and when a teacher
feels a tender regard for their children parents
soon find it out. The teacher full of interest
in the children and ready to respond to reason
able wishes of parents, and willing also to lis
ten patiently TO unreasonable ones, is sure to
gain the approval of parents.
A third means to engage the attention of
parents is in properly arranged school work.
A lesson in arithmetic may give rise to many
practical questions, as for example the manner
OF measuring wood tho different kinds of this
commodity, distinction between hard and soft,
prices of each, etc. Such questions raised and
held in suspense for the children to learn at
home will secure the interest OF the father
Geography and history furnish many such
questions.
Nothing OF an offensive, sectarian or politi-
cal character should be raised. Moral lessons,
and upon department and the impropreties of
speech may be used to interest and even to
instruct the home circle. When children are
interested in such questions and are anxious
for others the teacher has secured the desired
result.
A discussion Of the subject of arithmetic
followed, which was participated in by Messrs.
Chase and Morrill, of the High School and DR..
Dole Of the Cumberland Street Grammar
School. Mr.. Chase brought up the question
OF carpeting. He held that it should not be
taught in the usual way, but that the width
of the Competing and amount to be turned in
should be taken into account. In reply DR..
Dole read from the last school reports. Fur
Their remarks on this subject were made BY
Mr.. Morrill,.
An executive committee was appointed con.
sisting of Messrs. A. H. Files, o. Nj. Lord, A.
s. Thsyer. NJ. f. Adams, s. w. Taylor and
f. A. Evans.