The Portland daily press., 1884-01-04

The irst named under each study is the
chairman of the committee on that study.
Several vacancies previously existing on the
various committees have just been filled.
The object OF the recent meeting at Bruins
wick was to put the committees into working
order by filling vacancies as had been anthor-
lied by the society, to examine into work al
ready done, and to lay out, and provide for
future work to be reported to the Pedagogical
Society at its spring meeting to be held per-
haps in Rockland, ard at the annual meeting
to be held in October
At the morning session on Tuesday the va
cancies in the committees were filled aud the
work to be done mapped out. Prof Chapman
read report on instruction in language. This
very able report, prepared by Miss Starrett,
was designed to cover especially Primary Work
suitable for pupils of five to 10 years OF age.
This paper elected considerable discussion,
pending which the committee adjourned until
2 o'clock.
In the afternoon, the discussion on Miss Star
rett's paper was resumed 1t was decided TO
make this the basis of a fnal report in point to
be drawn up by Prof Chapman; meanwhile
DR.. Lowell of the committee is expected to
present another preliminary paper on language
work suitable for pupils in Grammar schools at
the spring meeting of the society.
Mr.. COrthel read f0al report on Reading,
based upon the plan of instruction adopted
and recommended at the Gorham Normal
School.
After an extended discussion of this paper,
the principal question raised being how far the
teacher shall encourage the rhetorical element
in reading in the public school, the paper IA
voring il to greater extent than others OF the
committee, it was agreed that Mr.. Cortneil
shall, after consultation with the. other mem
bers of his committee, report IN print at the
spring meeting of the society.
Superintendent Fletcher read a brief pre-
hminary report on Geography, in which be
advocated beginning the study with the geog-
raphy of the school yard and surroundings,
and from this, the well known, proceeding
gradually to more distant places, until finally
the geography of tbs entire world is reached
The equestion was raised whether 1t would not
be better to present, by means OF globe, the
earth, as a whole at first, and from that to pass
to it's continents, and finally to more particu-
lar places in which we are more Immediately
interested.
1t was agreed to request Professor Rogers to
prepare preliminary paper on the teaching of
Physical Geography, and the other members of
the committee to prepare papers on Political
Geography, and some lady, to be selected by
Mr.. Robertson from the teachers of Augusta,
TO prepare a paper on primary teaching In
Geography; all these papers to be ready to be
read at the spring meeting, and that the fur
ther discussion of the methods OF teaching be
postponed until that time a
In the evening Professor Smith, chairman OF
the committee on mathematics, presented for
criticism his fnal report on Geometry as
study. This was a most able presentation of
this subject, in which the aim of the study and
the methods and means to be used in teaching
il were distinctly set forth. The Professor
answered briefly but clearly all questions rails
ed No general discussion was indulged in. 1t
was agreed that this report shall be imme late-
ly printed 1t was also agreed that Mr. flles,
of Augusta shall be requested to prepare
preliminary report on Algebra for the spring
meeting, aud that Mr.. Rounds shall be re-
qaested to put his former report on Aritheme-
TIC into shape to be presented as a final report
in print on that subject. 1t was further agreed
that Professor Smith be requested to make
such arrangements as he finds necessary, by
further appointments and otherwise, to secure
final reports on all branches of his depart
meat.
1t was agreed to establish o committee on
Natural Science" to be constituted as above
and that the members of this committee be re-
quested to make an early division of their
work, and to prepare preliminary report there
on, one report, at least, to be ready in the
spring.
AS the chairman of the Committee on His
tory was not present, that subject was not
specially reported eoa.
At an informal meeting Tuesday morning
the subject of Moral Instruction was consider
ed. President Fernald was requested to secure
one more preliminary report from member of
MS committee, and then to make up his final
report in print. This he proposes to acco mpllsh
by the October meeting of the society.