Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-02-26
FRIDAYS SESSION.
superintendent C.P. HnII'. Address.

The exercises of Friday were opened
with scripture reading and prayer by Rev.
W. II. Collins. The first address was bV
Superintendent c. p. Hall OF Winchcndon,
Mass, formerly supervisor of education
for Nindham county. Capt Halls theme
was the ''Study Of nature In his quiet,
conversational way he held the close atten-
ton of the teachers, most of whom had
been under his personal supervision and
had learned to expect from him sensible,
practical suggestions.
Within few years. hp said. has been BE- oiu sys.
trmatic work IN our schools in the study Of ma
ture. Worcester county, Mass has appointed
committee and circulars have been issued to IN
duce tine study of nature in schools The first
reason why this study j. desirable is that 1t Civ
"A knowledge of facts: second, it trains the mind
third. II induces "A loNrot nature. In the study Of
nature We arrive at knowledge from personal rN-
animation. How do seeds grow: Cut the appl.
one way and you disclose the little cups which
hold the seeds; from this are Interested Ia
learn about all seeds. The training of the mind is
still more valuable The training Of the sight
may be illustrated by mentioning the different
things two persons will See ON "A ride through the
country The one sees almost nothing: the other
all things. The latter has been trained To
things just as they are. lie has been Taught 10
inspect, to examine. Another reason for this
study is that IT induces "a love Of nature aud
brings the child into sympathy with her. II calls
attention to himself in comparison with brute
life and shows how much better he is adapted to
the special needs Of his life. Many objections are
offered to introducing another study into the al
ready crowded curriculum, but if rightly manag
ed II need take but from five To seven minutes per
day. Sometimes One-half hour per week has been
assigned. The study prov most successful taught,
not line by itself, but in connection with 9th
er things. Simplify by teaching one thing at
time passing from the elementary to the com
pick. To teach it scientifically is one Of the OBJ
jects To be kept in vew-tirst as a whole. then as
10 parts. First the tree a whole its height and
shape; then branch its form beauty, color Of
bark and leaves, buds fruit, etc one good
guage work. Let the pupil tell what he himself
sees and finds out, not what some else has
found out and told him. Thus il aids in object
teaching, and one delightful thing you find is that
the dulest scholar often proves the brightest
Encourage board work; write names of every
thing, not scientific hut everyday names for
things Write ont all they know or have discov-
cred, and this is composition work Study rs far
as possible the real live thing not preserved spec
imens. IL puts the pupil in touch with things out
side the schopl-rOom and teaches the mtTiCaCies
and wisdom of creation, and best of all empha-
sizes in the mind of the learner both teacher and
pupil that The hand that made us is divine"
Remarks followed by Mr.. Simpson who
recommended certain books of reference as
useful to teachers, and said it must be
borne in mind that one need not be an eX-
pert or even have been a student to be sue
cessful. Capt. Hall said he would hesitate
before recommending books at all. He
would throw teacher and pupil upon their
own resources.