Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1890-08-04
The Summer School.

The second week of the school has been
very profitable and interesting. Miss
Gates completed her excellent work on
geography; but the corps of teachers
was increased by the arrival of Anna X.
Blaisdell, late instructor of drawing in
Salem and Boston, who gave lessons in
drawing and other kindred work. Her
methods are the best; the lessons were
among the most pleasing given. She
completed her work on Friday Mr.. Eben
III. Davis outlined the methods of using
his readers, which have been adopted for
this county. He calls his system that of
sentence reading, which he considers the
natural method The child is easily and
naturally led up from short words to long
err ones, till he soon becomes able to read
in sensible, conversational style what
ever his eye falls upon. Miss Nellie Boyd,
who assisted Mr.. Davis showed the adj
vantages of his methods by instructing
two classes which were given her. At the
completion of Mr.. Davis and Miss Boyd'S
work they received a vote of thanks from
the convention for instruction and sug-
gestions. Principal Edward COnant of
Randolph completed civics last week. but
to the qualification OF the school contin-
ueS work on pedagogics, a subject espec-
tally valuable to the teachers present.
Mary Putnam of the Randolph Normal
school gave instruction in primary work
and in gymnastics Prof. Charles Putney
of North Troy is doing very acceptable
work in mental arithmetic, and the teach
ers and others of this county who have
enjoyed his instructions are proud to
reckon him as an Orleans County teacher.
Miss Fairchild of Derby, instructor in his
tory and language, has given very valua-
BILE teaching in these branches and de-
serves credit for her faithful work.
The school sessions have averaged sew
en- hours a day and every teacher and
teacher-pupil has done the most possible
in imparting and receiving knowledge.
Aside from regular school work, several
lectures have been given. Judge Thomp-
sons lecture on Italy and the Italians was
one full of interest from beginning to
end. Judge Thompson's style is excellent,
scholarly and pleasing. This lecture was
particularly instructive.
Tuesday evening Principal c. E. Putney
of St. Johnsbury, out of the fullness of
his own experience gave very helpful
talk upon the teachers responsibility.
Geo. II. Blake of Barton, spoke Wednes-
day evening on patchwork" and likeneu
life to web, the warp of which nature
provides. The wool is woven in by man
and is good or i'll, beautiful or pleasing,
as we care to weave. When the work of
life ends, the whole may not be unlike a
patchwork piece that has been formed by
busy hands.
Friday evening the Barton Landing
Band, assisted by Mrs. Newland of New
port and the Harmony Quartette gave a
fine concert. Saturday, such as desired the
trip, visited Lake Willoughby and enjoyed
the trip hugely. This week will be busy
and we expect very profitable one. The
whole number of students thus far has
been $50. A paper has been in circulation
and nearly every teacher has signed a re-
monstrance against the idea of repeating
the present school law. We hope to see
some new faces in our classes this week.