The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-10-29
LEARNING TO TEACH.
Proceedings of the Second Days
Session at Corham.

The forenoon session of the Cumberland
County Educational Association opened
at the Normal School building at
q. m. The clouds had all cleared
away during the night and the morn
ing sun shone brightly and infused
its light and warmth into everything. There
was good air and plenty of 1t. and conse-
quenty more lively spirit pervaded the
meeting. 1t was opened with Principal
Corthell In the chair, who called upon Rev.
Mr.. Snow of North Yarmouth. to offer pray
Ell. Then all present Joined in singing Cor
onation," after which the records of the
previous day were read and approved.
AS Prof. Robinson of Bowdoin, who was
to have opened the session with paper on
"Health in the School Room" was unavoid-
ably detained. it was voted to resume the
query box.
Before opening 1t, however, the committee
on nominations presented the following
names for officers for the ensuing year:
President-P Principal Geo. Larrabee OF Pencil
Vice President-Miss E. E. Jackson of Cumber-
land Mills.
Secretary and Treasurer-w. W. woodman
4 G0rham.
Executive Committee H. Crosby of Deering
High School; Geo. Penley of Cape Elizabeth and
Miss Annie Elder of Yarmouth.
On motion of State Superintendent Luce
1t was voted to suspend the rules and regu'
lations so as to elect these officers by accla-
nation instead Of by ballot, and they were
declared elected.
In considering the time and place of the
next meeting, Rev. Mr.. Snow presented, on
behalf OF himself and Mr.. Moore, an earnest
fnyif a fi0p n bnld ba W.
mouth. which was accepted.
On motion OF Superintendent Luce. 1t was
then voted to lay aside the query box and
listen to the discussion on ."The Teaching of
Language" which had been omitted the
afternoon before. The discussion was OPP
ened by Principal Corthell. who gave an ex-
cellent half hours talk, to which all the
teachers listened with marked interest. He
confined his Interpretation Of the word Ian
guage to include only our mother tongue and
considered:
1st-The first requisite is a definite settlement
OF the aims 10 teachings clear and complete idea
OF what we have in view IN endeavoring to teach
language.
2d-We have next to consider the means by
which those ends are to be attained, and
3d-The methods whereby those means lshall be
applied TO the attainment of those ends.
The great aim In teaching the English
language should be to enable the pupil to ex-
press, In forms known to himself and others,
his own mental thoughts and mental expert
ences-and these forms include both words
and arrangement.
The means to be employed are every lesson
In the school. Make the reading, the geog-
raphy, the arithmetic, and the spelling les
son. each and all a language lesson, and
thereby teach the pupil te oJserve in his own
peeaftef aud then put the results Of his
observation into accurate language.
Remarks were made in further discussion
of the question by Rev. Mr.. Snow. Princi-
Moore and Principal Crosby, and the clos
ing remarks by Principal COrthell
Supt. Luce presented the topic of New
Subjects of Instruction." According to the
revised legislation Of the past winter, a
knowledge of the rudiments of the national
sciences. in so far as they pertain to agricul-
ture, is required of every teacher who pre-
sents himself or herself for examination as
teacher in our public schools. Also the
teaching of kindness to animals and birds Is
made compulsory in the same schools, such
instructions not to exceed ten minute les
son weekly.
The query box was then brought to light
and proved to be well filled, and questions
were asked right and left, the chair calling
upon whom IL pleased to answer.
After presentation OF resolutions of thanks
to all who had in any wa, assisted In the ex-
ercises or contributed to their success indi-
rectiy, it was voted TO adjourn, sine die.