Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-28
CLOSING DAY
or the Annual Meeting OF the Kennebee
Teachers.

tendance was not much different from that of
the previous day. The meeting convened at
10 o'clock, A NJ.
The forenoon was devoted to Grsmmar
School work, the subject of methods of
Teaching Reading" being presented by the
teachers of the Augusta Grammar School,
after the same manner az at one of their
weekly meetings which have been held during
the past winter.
Mise Addie L. Kennedy read an excellent
paper on the methods I, be employed
in teaching pupils in the LIST grade the rudi-
ments of reading. She held that one Of the
most valuable ways of teaching reading is by
imitation. The teacher should present the
best possible model. One of the best methods
of impressing the words upon the mind is
for the pupil to write them. Let the words
be written upon the blackboard and have the
child copy them. 1t is of great importance
that the teacher should be a good penman.
Undue the child with the faith that he can
write. Great care should be taken in train
ing the child in correct pronunciation before
learning to read and it is of utmost impor-
lance that the right vocabulary be selected
for the first year.
Miss Lizzie S. Avery read q very profit
able paper on teaching reading in the 2nd
grade, and the first term where books are
used.
The third paper was read by Miss Clara
Dunn and was very valuable. She delivered
it in a very clear and forcible style. The
teacher must commence at the beginning.
The cultivation of the voice is most import
ant in teaching reading Endeavor to give
natural expression. Drive from the school
room the monotonous hum drum tones so
apt to creep in. Success depends not upon
the rapadity but the quality of the work ac-
complished. thorough knowledge of all
the elementary sounds depends correct
articulation. Articulation is perfect when
every sound is given, and given with so much
grace as the effect will not be noticeable. In
teaching reading three things are im-
portant; knowledge of words, knowledge of
facts, and giving the pupil a taste for reading.
II is advisable to introduce a great variety of
reading that each scholar will obtain some
thing to his liking.
well-written paper was read by Miss
Annie X. Wheeler on reading in the 4th
grade. She cited as the greatest and most
common faults in reading, hesitation and mis-
pronunciation, thick, husky. chattering
voice, harsh and unmeaning tones A very
high or an extremely low key were objected
to. Reading should be like talking The
most easy and natural way of expression
be sluulSu.
A recess of ten minutes was given.
A committee on resolutions was appointed
Mr.. Robertson, Principal of the Gram
mar school read a paper on the subject
treated of by the previous papers. Above
the LIST and I'd grades the lessons should
be reviewed. Much trouble is expert
enced in these grades with the listless
and mechanical reading of dry selections of
prose. There are three varieties Of read
ing, namely: Mechanical, intelligent
and intellectual. These three are Of
ten COMPOUNDED. Mechanical reading is
no reading at all An intelligent reader is
one who understands what he is reading. An
intellectual one not only takes in the authors
meaning, but thoroughly assimilates and d.
gests what he il reading The latter is that
which is found among authors and students.
Adjourned
AFTERNOON.
The committee on nomination of Officers
reported as follows:
President-G. b. Files. Augusta.
Vice President-Principal Smiley, Watsr
vile.
Secretary-Addie N. Owen, Augusta.
Treasurer-Lawrence Rolfe. Halloweu.
Executive Committee. Il C. Il. Seabury.
Gardiner; J. +. Sucking. Gardiner; Miss
Fairfield; C. E. Tilton, Oakland.
On ballot the nominations were confirmed.
The following was reported from the Com
mttee on Resolutions and accepted:
Resolved, That the thanks of the Kennebec County
Teachers Association be extended to the NJ. G. X.
X. tor reduction in fares; to the propretors of the
Cony House for reduction in rates; and to Hon. w
j. Corthell Pres. Pepper of Colby, and to Supt
Lambert of Maiden, whose words OF wisdom and
experience have contributed so argey to the interest
convention. r..
n. b. X. PETTENGILL.
S. Ii. OWEN.
Mr. w. Fl. Lambert, Superintendent of
Schools of Maiden, Mass, read one of the
finest papers of the session. 1t was we'll
written and delivered in most telling man
ner. 1t treated largely of the physical wants
and conditions of the system of those en-
gagged in intellectual pursuits. MIR. Lambert
said: Our modern educational authorities
recognize the need of physical exercise and
the curriculum of any school or college which
does not include gymnastic exercises is want
ing. Success in life is only attained through
a sound body. Teachers worry too much
That their occupation tends to harrass and
vex, there is no doubt, and therefore the
teacher should possess sound body
Let the door be closed upon the school room
on leaving it and also closed upon all petty
annoyances which result, thereby gaining rest
and refreshment Teachers shOulu take
requisite amount of exercise. This is of the
utmost necessity. Teachers are as rule,
thin faced. lean, wearied specimens OF hu
manity. cat this point there was pereepuble
wincing among the representatives of the fair
sex pres ent who were neither lean nor spare.
but on the contrary nearly all plump
and rosy) do not believe in the practice
of advertising for teachers and competitive
exsmin alton. The best scholar is selected
in such instances but he does not
always, by any means, prove the best teacher
The most important factors are not taken
into account. We, as teachers, should en-
deavor to keep in sympathy with children
and not get above their level. cheerful.
happy school is successful one. He, VINO
cannot teach such a school, should not teach
at all How can teachers with diseased
bodies teach successfully? 1t has been
thought by many of our first authorities that
health is the great element for success. The
functions of the mind and body must be ex-
ercised together. The speaker com
pared the primary schools win
others of higher grade and assert
ed that teachers of the former class OF
schools were VIGOROUSLY short lived. A poor
exhibit this for the teacher who hopes to
..h;~v. s,,o,oss tbrouuh the medium Of the