Morning journal and courier., 1888-07-12
NEAR THE SEA.
The Summer school mt Niantle-Fea-
 rures of the Exercises.

The Summer school at Niantle-Fea-
 lures of the Exercises.
 Mir. J. A. Graves of Hartford, formerly of New Haven, who has been addressing the teachers of the Mantle summer school upon the subject of geography, gave a very inter- esting lesson upon the geography of Connec- ticut recently, advocating a development of the subject in accordance with the following outline: Position, size, outline, surface, drainage, climate,' soil, agricultural products, mineral resources, manufactures, other re- sources, commerce, education, political or ganization, government, cities and towns and history.
 Upon the same subject Mir. J. F. Hall of Dedham, Mass, spoke in the following line: I. How to teach9 H. What to teach: III. Observation of landscape. Under the head of teaching elementary geography, to fix and develop ideas, he advocated a study of the landscape, teaching familiar divisions of land and water, brook, basin, 1owland, highland, level, plain, plateau, hill, valley, etc., since the landscape must always be the unit of the pupils observation. Drainage, air and soil would follow in natural order.
 Prof.<A. B. Merrill has been giving inter esting lessons upon breathing and nutrition of late, while Mrs. Evelyn c. Brown con tinues her excellent instruction in gymnas- tics to large classes. MT. L. B. Marshall followed lesson upon "yisible speech" with most practical drill upon the tones of the scale. MT. Aldrich's lessons in arithmetic, MT. A. P. Somes' interesting experiments in temperance physiology, and MT. G. H. Ira ! cy's lessons in botany call out large classes daily. The oSher lessons continue as ans nounced.
 No exercises of the day are more largely attended than are the 8 o'clock morning lee 1 tures,-~ Two by MT. W. c. Bates, subjects I 'tThe Worst Thing in School' and My ! Ideal Teacher" were particularly enjoyable and practical.
 The attendance still increases, according to official figures, as many being already regis tered as made up the same total in '86. General s. o. Armstrong, whose name is identified with the interests of the Hampton, Va., institute, lectured before the teachers on "Negro and Indian Education" In explanation of his so-ealled opposition to the provisions of .he 'fBlair bill, !" General Armstrong emphasized the difference be- tween national aid distributed by politicians and the sanctified aid resulting from cense- crated Christian donations The negro and the Indian as pupils were entertain1ngly compared, and much light was thrown upon the subject of southern schools and school training.
 General Armstrong also gave an interest ing narration of his experiences in the Sand wich Islands.
 The morning exercises at the school house are designed to illustrate all grades of school work There is the Kindergarten conducted by Miss c. W. Mingins, assisted by Miss FanniebeIle Curtis. Children to the number of twenty were secured from the village the week before the school opened and after their short experience are successfully engaged in the amusements and occupations. This is true kindergarten and not school with Ri iu- dergarten occupations. That there IS an important and definite distinction between 8 school and kindergarten ought to be under- stood and is here clearly illustrated. The kindergarten precedes the school, is the foun- dation of the school. Every means is taken to bring children by pleasant and systematic occupations to the right and complete use of their powers and direct them to what will be of future use. TheEe is always kept in view the broad principle that little chil- dren especially, and all children, should have the very best instruction. The kindergarten Is not appreciated nor understood. Even in good schools there is no firm adherence to the principle that none but the best teachers should teach little children. "Anyone can teach the youngsters" :" is often said and too often acted on. Miss Mingins and Miss Cur tis are accomplished and skillful kindergart- ners.
 In the next room are illustrated by class exercises, conducted by Miss H. A. Ludding- ton, number and reading for primary grades These children too are from the village.
 The next room is a model school eonduct- ed by Miss o. A. Lyle. This is intended to exemplify good organization and good teach ing. The way in which school should be managed-the details of work-are here beau tifully shown. The beauty of such school is what Matthew Arnold calls it's simplicity.
 The fourth room is the highest and here, too, are illustrated every day reading phonics and arithmetic Especially striking is the importance attached to rapid mental work. It is held that quick and accurate mental work is needed.