The Portland daily press., 1891-10-28
LEARNING TO TEACH.
cumberland County Educators In
Session at Corham.


ochooi building. for its annual session yes
terday forenoon. In the absence of the
PRESIDENT and vice president, Secretary w.
w. Woodman called the session to order, and
Principal Corthell of the Normal school was
elected president pro tenn. A committee on
order OF exercises, of which State Superln-
t9ndent Luce was chairman, reported III IA
yor of inverting the programme as printed
Tor Tuesday forenoon. The query box was
pa sed around, and some three-quarters OF
a hour passed in discussing questions relat-
iLg to discipline and teaching. Then
America" was sung. Miss Elders paper.
Some Notes on Teaching History" was
read by her sister, Miss Elder of Yarmouth.
The paper aimed to give a few practical re-
suits from the authors own experience. The
general idea presented was that the subject
of history should be made as attractive as
possible consistent with the true aims of his
toric study, bringing in pictorial iluStra-
tions and stories containing historic facts,
which will awaken interest in the pupils
themselves aud lead them into wholesome
regard, at least. If not an actual love, for the
study of history. The paper was very cor
daily received, and we'll recommended by
Principal III. w. Moore of Yarmouth, who
opened the discussion. The gentleman paid
high tribute to the paper, and the sugges
lions 1t contained toward awakening the
scholars interest in the study itself, but he
made distinction between the interest
awakened by and founded upon mere cnrlos-
ity and that other deeper interest which Is
founded upon an actual knowledge OF the
value of the study. Let the scholar be
oh of ino of niQtQrV
If he is to interpret the present correctly, or
foretell the future with any degree of accu-
racy. Take away the old formality of
learning TO recite history by notes and get
ting no understanding whatever of the facts
themselves, or their bearing upon events
which Immediately preceded and followed
them. To do this the teacher must himself
get thoroughly posted on history, and then
he will be master of the situation when he
comes before his class. Then let him teach
with some definite end in view, and he will
find his scholars both interested and gaining
instruction.
Miss Haynes of the Normal School was
then called upon and replied by presenting
some of the difficulties which her own expe-
rience had brought. She thought scholars
spent too much time in the actual study of
the lesson, and that the average pupil on
graduation from high or grammar school
did not know how to study history Alright.
The first duty of the teacher. therefore,
should be to teach them how to study by GO
ing over the lesson with them.
After few remarks from some other
teachers Superintendent Luce called upon
Principal COrthell for ten minutes talk on
History" and that gentleman gave lively
and interesting chapter of his own expe-
rience in becoming himself interested in that
study. He thought that the Imagination de-
served more prominence than 1t had hitherto
received In the study. especially among the
younger classes.
Teach the boys and girls the stories of in
terest with reference to the important facts
and pers0nages of history, leading them to
further study and reading with reference to
the facts themselves, and the lives of the
men who have figured prominently in them.
This faculty of the imagination is a God
given power, holding within itself wondrous
possibilities If IL be only rightly trained.
Herein is the alphabet Of history and the
teaching of this alphabet should be all that
is attempted during childhood, and upon the
proper awakening and developing Of this
foundation depends in great measure the
strength and con- e'iress of the structure that
shall afterwardsbe reared upon 1t. The rea-
son why so few scholars take any real inter-
est In history is because just this portion Ct
their education has been neglected. There
fore, let 1t receive more attention and be
given greater prominence.
At the close of Principal Corthelrs talk it
was voted TO adjourn till p. m.
Gorham in hearty dinner. the afternoon
session was opened at two o'clock sharp,
Principal Corthell still In the chair and
about 200 present The appointing Of COM
mittees being first in order, the chair desig-
mated as committee on nominations, Prinei-
pal l.. Barton of North Bridgton academy,
Miss Mitchell and Miss Whitten, and for
committee on resolutions, Principal Larrabee
of Pencil Institute, Mr.. Moore of Var
mouth, and Mr.. Sawyer of Gray.
Principal Barton then read an interesting
paper on "How Much and How, to Teach
presenting many original ideas as to the
method and order of such teaching he
summed up the paper as follows: Teach
the how rather than the why. Insist upon
text books having distinct and clearly stated
rules. Give plenty of mental work but do
not aim to produce phenomenal mathematic-
ians. Accustom the students to work with
out text books; drill them thoroughly on
every lesson and be sure that each scholar
understands thoroughly every example in it,
Do not give too long analyses so as to tire
the scholars. Explain beforehand all diff
cult work. The teacher wants to see to il
that he is well prepared beforehand himself
and then be sure that the scholar c0mpre-
hends such definitions as he may see fit to
give.
After the reading of the paper, Superin-
tendent Snow presented the regrets of Super
intendent Robbins of Westbrook, who was
to have opened the discussion and moved
that the chair call up pom some one to fill his
place. AT the suggestion N9, Of the chair
Evans of Cape Elizabeth, who gave his
experience in drawing up the first order of
studies ever attempted in that place.
Principal Moore Of Yarmouth then said a
few words in favor of the introduction OF
the metric system The question was then
asked Of Superintendent Luce. what place
bookkeeping had in our common schools and
whether 1t should be taught in connection
with arithmetic or not, to which the state
superintendent responded in few well
chosen words.
1t was then voted to close the discussion
and attend to the second topic, THE Teach
ing of Form, with illustrative lesson" by
Miss Nellie ClOudman of G0rham. This
lady brought in eight little folks from heI
primary school and carried them through an
object lesson on form, giving them model
ing them cut and fold tue paper into the
form Of the model. Considerable interest
was manifested In watching the little folks
at work and observing the intelligent man
ner In which they cut and folded, two OF
three questions as to the detail of the teach
ing being asked as the lesson progressed.
at the close of the lesson the regular ex
ercise of the Normal School in calisthenics
with dumb bells was given, after which a
recess was INDUCED 10 for few moments.
After recess MISS Wnlte OF the Normal
School gave an exercise in objective drawing.
This was closely watched by the teachers
present and much interest was awakened in
the methods employed.
At the close of this exercise the association
adjourned till-7.30 p. m.
The following persons well known in
educational matters were present: Principal
W. j. Corthell, State Superintendent N. A.
Luce, Rev. B. P. Snow. principal of North
Yarmouth Academy; 81. W. Moore, princi-
pal Yarmouth High School; Principal
Mitchell of Freep0rt High School, G. H. Lar
rabee of Pencil Institute, Prof. G. b. VIII
son of Gorham Normal School, W. W.
WoOdman of Gorham Hlgh School, o. G.
Evans Of Cape Elizabeth school committee,
Principal Barton of Bridgton Academy and
Prof Hunt of Gorham.
The evening exercises were held in the
Congregational church, sand were largely at
tended. Prayer was offered by Rev. G. W.
Reynolds. President Corthell introduced
President A. w. Small of Colby University,
who delivered an exceedingly interesting adj
dress on Ideals in Higher Education"
There was fine music, under the direction of
Mr.. G. K. Huxley. Miss Jennie p. Whit
ney sang solo to great acceptance.
MUSIC AND DRAMA.