The Newtown bee., 1888-11-02
THE TEACHERS MEETING.
LARGE ATTENDING AND INTER.
 ESTING SPEAKERS.

GSIlN6
 One of the Most Successful of Recent Meetings-The First of the Kind in New town in Six Years.
 Over 70 teachers attended the meeting at the Town Hall, last Friday The meeting had been announced for the Academy. but the recent cases of scarlet fever made it advisable to choose another building.
 whose auspices these meetings are held, is composed of Governor r. c. Louns- bury of Ridgefield, Lieut-Gov James l.. Howard of Hartford, Messrs Anthony Ames of Danielsonville, George NJ. Car rington of West Winsted, William G. Sumner of New Haven, Edward D. Rob- bins of Wetherstield; Charles D. Hine of Hartford is secretary. He was accom- panied by Miss Edith Goodyear of Bris- tol, Messrs c. F. Carroll of New Britain, $. F. Willard of Colchester. A. F. Somes of Danielsonville.
 At Q 45 a m, the meeting was opened by Secretary Hine, who, aften saying
  informal way and that questions would be welcomed, began his address on
 Reading.
 He is a pleasant gentleman, with small brown mustache and dark hair just tinged with few grey threads. He said that reading was one of the most important studies and yet one that was not taught properly. The prime object is to read intelligently, with full knowledge of the meaning of the words uttered, their re- lation to each other and the way in which they are used. To simply repeat printed words with glib tongue, but no idea of what they represent, is not reading. Young children should be taught read ing, the words to represent signs and ideas already in their minds; more ad- vanced pupils should discover the thoughts of the article which they read by means of known words in new combi- nations. No child should learn to read by the alphabet; words should be ar ranged in phrases and emphasis placed on the most important word. Repetition is necessary for young scholars, but older ones should be given an article new to them, with unfamiliar words explained by the teacher; then, after silent read ing and rendition in their own style, it should be read aloud. Correct pronunci- ation is also desirable.
 Mir Hine is opposed to the spelling books as now used, but difficult words should be written until thoroughly un- derstood. Spelling is simply arranging the letters of word in their proper or der.
 At 10 90, after short recess, Miss Edith Goodyear of Bristol talked about
 Writing.
 Miss Goodyear's petite figure and brown hair and eyes were nicely set off by her gray costume. She spoke of the two di- visions of writing, but confined herself to penmanship. The basis of good pen manship consists of care in joining single letters and in being taught the proper method at first. Smaller children should be interested by stories, if necessary, while all mechanical conditions, sharpen ed pencils, properly ruled slates, etc, are carefully attended to. To the sug- gestion that some scholars might be un- able to distinguish lines of grace and beauty, Miss Goodyear replied that such cases were very rare; that the teacher must use her own discretion, but, with proper attention, the difficulty could be obviated. Care should be taken not to tire the learner, 10 to l5 minutes being enough for each lesson. Pupils should sit erect, right side toward desk, as cas- fly as possible, giving space for the free arm movement. The small ''i'' should be used at first, as that is the foundation of many other letters. The modern style of writing hurriedly is an injury, if done carelessly.
 This Is d matter to which. the BEI wishes to call especial attention. Keen ly alive to the illegible writing of it's re portorial department, it cannot consist ently criticise the poor penmanship O others but it hopes that the rising gen eration will be able to write an easy graceful, flowing hand.
 Arithmetic.
 Mir c. F. Carroll of New Britain, tall brown haired and red whiskered, mex advanced and demonstrated that arith metic, properly taught, is but simpl matter. By means of charts, disks an circles, he robs arithmetic of half tn terrors which it holds for youthful mind and proves that the time wasted on frac' ions and similar departments, if rightl applied, would carry the learner throug the book. The futility of examples and the usefulness of object teachin were enlarged upon and illustrations gi' en. Oral or written analysis is some times useful, but should be given befol the example is solved.
 An intermission until l 45 was the taken and the visitors repaired to u basement of the hall, where bountif' collation., generously provided by tl ladies, was enjoyed and opportunity gi en to stroll about and admire Newtown points of beauty, natural or artificia Upon rc-convening, s. F. Willard of Co chester gave experiences and observ tions during his
 Examination of Schools.
 His slightly bald head, brown mustacl and eye glasses had been seen in all par of the hall and he proved as interestiI speakeras he had been able assistaI Not enough thought is given to the wo of teaching in general; too great desi