The Republican journal., 1888-12-20
Waldo County Educational Association.


meeting was well attended and successful. The
weather was stormy and cold, but Troy, Unity,
Belfast and Searsport were well represented.
President Rich and Vice President West being
absent, the meeting wis called to order Friday
forenoon by Mr. Fred W. Brown of Belfast, chair
man of the executive committee superintendent
\. \. Luce was elected president of the convcn-
tion and Z. IL. Kelley, secretary.
several members reported with regard to tenn
perance instruction in their schools, followed by
discussion. The opinion general that the liquor
habit use of tobacco and other bad habits were in
most contracted in early age ard that instruc-
ton these points should be given in our schools.
Mr.. Luce was Of the opinion that not only alec
hobs physical effects, but its financial, social, and
moral ruin should be forcby brought TO the pub
lie mind.
At the afternoon meeting the chairman
nounced the committee on nomination of OIL
GERS: Mr.. Dunton, of Belfast, Mr.. Cook, of Troy,
and Miss Mortland, of Searsport
Miss Robbins, of Belfast, presented very able
essay Bookkeeping. She would make it as
practical and near like actual business as possible
Its Importance equals other studies taught in
school. Discussed by Mr.. Brown, Mr.. Dun
ton and Supt. Luce. The Superintendent said !:
school studies was not to make our pupils expert
accountants, but that they might be able to under
stand and perform in proper way ordinary bust
ness transactions and get rudmentary know
ledge of mercantile law. In his own experience
he had obtained the best results IN ungraded
schools by combining instruction in bookkeeping
with writing, systematzcd in such Il way IA TO
employ the whole school exclusively on this one
subject for the time devoted for it, and yet graded
to the comprehension Of all far advanced enough
to write with pen. The Superintendent xplan
ed at length how this might be done.
Discussion of question, "What is the best meth
oil of teaching reading" opened 10y Mr.. Dunton,
who said: TO obtain its full literary value was
of the first Importance in high schools" Mr. Pit
man, of Searsport, said First study to under
stand the full meaning of what was read then the
best form Of expression" Mr.. Peabody of Unity :
"A difficult matter to teach; first bring out the
meaning plainly" Miss Sweetscr, of scar sport,
gave many valuable points on primary reading
| and advocated the word method; "After reading,
the pupilto state in own way the thoughts gained
Mr. Carlton, of Troy: "Reading, gift possess ti
by some in Il much greater degree than others.
Some teachers are very successful although not
very gifted themselves" Miss Pierce, of Belfast
| and Mr.. Cook, of Troy, aide@, new
| thoughts. Supt. Luce said ''ll. primary reading
| the word method means something to the pupil,
while the alphabet method means nothing. In AT
vanced classes, to add new words TO their CONVEX
| sational vocabulary, and to accustom them to such
a use of words as to freely and fully express their
thoughts, and lead to ability to speak in Public.
Malawa-ha schools for French children are
| taught TO place every new English word in lhcir
conversation. Great progress had been made
| More boys and girls are sent to reform schools
| because of their knowledge of reading than any
other cause, therefore a corr ect taste of what 10
read should be cultivated' The supt. said much
more III illustration Of these points.
| Question box opened. GLOW can the nun. Der Of
classes in our mixed schools best he reduced:"
| Discussed at length by NJ. Cook, Mr. Carlton,
Miss Webb Mrs. Pen'llcton, MIR. Kelley, Mr.. Dun
| ton and Mr.. Peabody. Many valuable points We're
given, but all admitted that complete classification
was impossible without Il better system of school
management than exists amt uniformity of
text books made imperative.
| HE evening meeting was atlrc sscd by y. \
Luce, State Supt., on the subject of school reforms
| saturday morning the question box was again
opened. The first question was, III letter is re
pcated ina syllable shall we speak Off as double OF
| repeat the letter." Answered by Mr.. Brown wine
| said speak of ii as double. Discussion followed be
| tween Miss Swecteer and >up;. Luce. Question,
| "HoW to prevent tar'lincss:" Answered by Nh
ritmtn, MI Carlton. Mr.. Peabody ard Mr.. Luce
F, Question Can spelling be successfully taught in
| connection with the word method:H Answered
a1iirmatiyely by Miss swcctser. ct ais
What Algeria is best in our schools: Answered
by Mr. Dunton. Grecnleai's the best he had tried
Is Ii is the least complicated. As our schools nov
exist pupils do not have time to follow very eN
haustye methods.
lioW much time in common schools should l..
devoted to analysis and parSing: Answered hy
Mr. Chase, of Unity. Crcum stances must deter
| mine. Better to take time on this than make Toe
gr eat specially of Arithmetic. supt. Luce sale
the end 10 be attained is the correct use of Ian
guasc in writing and speaking. Teachers aud ptt
pills to keep this end constantly in view. Pupil.
TO practice what they have learned in compo sit on
writing. First, give description of objects before
the class; second, of objects not in view, then of
places persons, etc: third, narration of story read
before the class, then fictitious narration, etc
| What can be done i'll mixed schools to advance
the most capable, and not discourage the ,lullcr:
Answered by Miss Webb. Reason with parents
and pupils that the course proposed i for their
| best interests.
Supplementary Reading, Essays by ---and
| Miss Maria Mitchell, of Freedom. The former
was read 10y Miss Pierce, the latter by Miss Rob
bins. Miss Mitchell's paper was of great interest
and contained many practical points OF great
value. Discussed by Mr.. Cook and Supt. Luce
Mr.. DUnton of the committee nominations prc-
scented the following: President, Frederick W.
| Brown, Of Belfast; Vice President, +. l.. Cook
| Freedom: Secretary, L. Ii. Kelley, Belfast These
officers to constitute the EX-Com. with the follow
ing added Miss c. 4. Webb, Unity; Miss Maria
Mitchell, Freedom; Miss Mary W. Mcclure, Sears
| port. They were elected.
| Adjourned for dinner.
In the afternoon there was debate ON the aboli-
ton Of Tie marking system. Opened in the affirm
| atye lay Mr.. Brown: Neg. by Mr. Dtnton Dis
| cussion by Mr.. Pitman, Mr. Peabody, Miss Sweet
| ser, Miss Mcclure, Mrs. Pendeton, Unity, Miss
| Robbins, SIR. shepherd, Belfast, Miss Mitchell,
Freedom, Mr.. Chase, Mr.. Nickcrson, Swanvie,
| Miss Pierce, Miss simmons, Belfast, Mr. Kelley,
Mr. Luce. Voted not to abolish the marking system
| Voted that the teachers Judgment of how well the
pupil understands the subject he the basis of his
| rank Voted that a digcnt effort ON the part of n
| pupil should increase his rank.
saturday afternoon, Mr.. Frederick Brown, of
| Belfast read paper school Festivals, follow
| ed by discussion.
a vote Of thanks to become part of the record.
| was extended to Mrs. Lucy Mitchell, Mrs. Ruel
| Berry, Mrs Andrew Myrck, Mrs. Chas. Tay lor
| DR.. Craig and wife, Mrs. Sewall, Messrs Libby,
! Chase and others, who 50 generously provided for
| all our wants.
| Question box. What can be done TO increase at
| tendance at school: Answered by Supt. Luce.
| y caricaturc executed with lead pencil having
| been dscol cred in the hands of a pretty school
| ma'am the Supt made instructive and humorous
remarks thereon. On the question of general
cesses, an expression of opinion was taken with
| out discussion. Voted that the next meeting he
held at Swanyille Mills next May or June. The
| last question on the programme was waived for
want of time. Supt. Luce congratulated the
| vention on the successful meetings held.
F. BROWN.
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