The Portland daily press., 1886-10-16
TEACHERS IN COUNCIL.
Meeting of the Cumberland Educa-
tionaI Association at Corham.

The Cumberland County Educational Assoeia-
tion held its first session at the Normal School
building Yesterday In the absence OF the fresl-
dent f. K. G. Robbins, Mr.. F. W. Davis OF Cor
ham was elected president pro tem
The first exercise after the opening prayer by
Rev. f. A. Bragdon was to have been the well
coming address by w. j. Cortheu and the
response by f. E. C. Robbins This part OF the
programme was postponed till afternoon and an
exercise In music by Mr. w. L. Fitch, Instructor
in music in the Normal School, was given who
illustrated his methods of teaching the subject
by the use of his newinyention, the Musikograph.
The exercise was interesting and finely demon
strated the value of the new apparatus.
Following this exercise came paper by MISS
Lizzie Craiggs of Saccarappa upon the s4Dlect;.
chieyous lad This paper was discussed by Supt.
Thomas Tash of Portland, who advised the
teachers of the Association not to get rid OF Tom
INV by turning him into the street, but to try to
reform him. If Tommy IS troublesome he may De
placed in front; if he behaves there ne may pe
STUDY self carefully if she finds the sehOol all
topsyturvy He would. condemn the practice OF
keeping pupils after sGnUe ds 5y Miss HAYNES who
agreed with Mr.. Tash in his method Oh managing
Tommy. 90, Iona, os
1t is effectua but would not advise any teacher to
spend all her time and energy III trying 10 RUE
Tommy by love. a.. a.,,, =,
the queery box. SAT what age should pupils pc
gin the use of the dictionary" Answered Dy
Mr.. Luce. just as soon as pupils are tar enough
advanced to feel the necessity for the meaning OF
CHOW should map drawing Be taught?'w w An,
swered by Mrs. o. r. Cook of Freeport would
recommend the system given IN Guyots
books. -
depend upon free-haHd work entirely.
Mr. Corthell would Use free-hand drawing. Ihe
idea must be distinct IN the mind before map
can be drawn.
Miss Haynes would use tracing paper WIN ShiaA
Next came paper by Miss Mary S. Morrill,, up
the subject, 1.-The value of practical question:
fhe cardinal principles in questioning is "a
minimum of work on the part OF the teacher ana
maximum of work on the part OF the pupil" Give
no hints which will assist in giving the answer
Avoid the repetition of the same question. QueS-
tions should lead pupils to md out tor theh-
In the absence Of Mr. Charles Fish, the discus
sion was opened by Supt. Luce. lnstructlng Is
not only for the purpose Of IN hndng 70 out low maen
tai activity The method of questioning must va
ry with the different classes Of pupils Ine quessa
tions upon any lesson should be largely planned
before the recitation begins.
What educational books should every teacher
read?n Answered by Mr. Corthel. The BIBLE
Teaching the works of Landon, Fitch, Ascham,
Compayre, and L'Ecole. After the BlDle, ne
would recommend especially Abbott rage, Ian
The AFTERNOON session began with President
F. E. C. Robbins in the chair. After the reading
of the records of the morning by Nle secretary,
w j. Corthell gave the address OF welcome TO
the teachers which was responded TO by the
president of the society.
Cook of Freeport presented paper bearing the
title "What we do at our House." by whlcn was
meant the methods pursued at the freeport Hlgh
School The writer advocated the ranking sys-
TEN as basis of promotion; would recommend
self reporting because it strengthens the eharac-
ter; would advise the teacher 10 make no pre-
tence of knowing everything. 1t is better to
come down gracefully than to be brought down.
In the absence Of Mr.. IL B; Neyens, Principal pal
paper. He would give the ranking system
qualified support; would advance pupils from
class to class sometimes even If they had not
come quite up to the required standard, but such
pupils should not be candidates for graduation;
would not recommend the self reporting system
at all .,.
Brunswick, Mr.. COrthell and Mr.. Tash.
Next the Query Box was opened.
'.What would you do if any amusing thing which
was out of order should come up in school?" AM
swered by Mr.. Luce. Laugh heartily and get all
''What papers are most helpful to primary
teachers?" Answered by Mr.. Cortheu. The
Supplement and the Popular Educator are as
ITO what extent can normal methods be ap-
piled in ungraded SchoolS?" Answered by MI
Luce. The success of normal methods depends
almost wholly on the tact and good sense OF the
teacher. There isn't backwoods school in Maine
that is not already feeling the effects of normal
school methods
when and how should pupils make up fail
ures?" Answered by Miss Alden failure
once made can never be made up.
Pres. Robbins would not stay after school with
pupil to have him make up failure. The chief
thing to be gained is to stimulate him so as not to
fail in future.
After brief recess Pref. ii. l.. Chapman of
Bowdoin College opened the discussion upon
Language Teaching" Language stud, is broa-
der than most other kinds of study beca use 1t is
more generally pursued after school life is over
The fundamental principle in teaching language
is "never teach word till you are sure he child
has the idea in mind for which the wor6 stands.
This will be no easy task, but it is the tue way;
First stimulate thought and then give the child
words in which to express his thought. Inc
teacher should have a care to use only such words
as are approved by good society and good writer's,
but such words as state thought simply, accu-
rately. Beware OF extravaganza. Rely much on
memorzing short selections from the best au-
thors. In the study of grammar beware OF defnl-
tions at first. Definitions represent the out
growth of the highest scholarship. Wait till the
child has a considerable knowledge of language
before you give him definitions. Make much OF
the history of words. Trace the meaning OF
words through all the changes they have under
gone.
Rev H. s. Huntington fully endorsed the ideas
set forth by Prof. Chapman, and would especially
commend the teaching of memory selections
In the evening Rev. II, Bernard Carpenter, pas
tor of the Hollis Street Church, Boston, addressed
the association.