The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-05-27
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Temperance Iassruc.isa.

At its recent annual meeting the State Ped.
agogical Society selected q special committee
of seven members, representatives of both
graded and mixed schools, to consider the
aims, methods and means suitable to mset
tho demands of the State law on temperance
instruction. 1t was understood that the CON-
mittee should, as early as possible, attend to
the duty assigned, and make known, through
the press, the results reached.
The first meeting of the COMMITTEES was held
in Portland, Saturday, May %, and the ses-
sion was diligently occupied with . full aud
free discussion OF the subject. Several lot
ters from leading educators in Vermont sna
New Hampshire were read, showing what
measures are in operation in these States to
answer the acquisitions of similar laws.
The committeeman the task sci them nsith-
er simple nor easy, and are obliged to defer
decision upon some points calling tor more
mature consideration. Among the points dis
cussed at the meeting were the following:
1. How far are Physiology and Hygieas to
be taught to meet the requirements OF the
law?
The committee would answer that, while its
primary aim is to enforce temperance ins.rae-
tion, the law calls for so much OF Physiology
aud Hygiene as shall clearly explain aud suit
ably emphasize the teaching OF tho sfecta
OF stimulants and Narcotics.
2. What plsca should the nsw Iuxtraction
have in the course Of study and in tho pro-
gramme Of term and of daily work?
In regard to these queries the comnities
think the instruction should be progressiVs,con-
tinuous, in all grades, and in evory schoal
room. 1t is suggested that not less than i've
or more than ten minutSS, be taken, daily, for
an exercise of this department of school work,
and it is recommended that the tims be taken
Immediately after the opening morning sxer-
cises.
8. How far are textbooks to be ssed7
The committee is not prepared TO say which
will be wisest, textbook lessons or oral teach
Jog, or a combination of the two; nor In which
grades, il in any, the textbook should be
used. They, however, incline to oral instruc-
tion below the intermediate grade.
4. How is instruction to be managed whsn
there are several classes in the same roonf
II may be best where there are two or three
classes in one room, to unite these classes Tor
the temperance instruction. An obV1ods ex-
ception to this massing OF the scholars would
be made in the case of quite young people In
the same room with the more advanced. Il is
suggested that this union Of classes may be
feasible in mixed schools.
In view of the marked interest manifested
throughout the State. in this new line OF in
struction, and the demand made upon oar
school system for fresh and effective teaching,
the committee would recommend that school
authorities place upon every teachers deck
one or more books adapted to prepare the
teacher for successfully meeting the rsquisi-
tions of the statute. Thorough preparation
and intelligent, earnest work are asked for
and will be expected by those who hare se-
cured the enactment of the law, and school
authorities and teachers should cooperate In
meeting the claims of the law and the needs
of the schools,