The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-12-16
TEACHERS STUDYING TEACHING.
The Cumberland County Convention in
Session in Brunswick.
Especial to the Press.1

Especial to the PreSs.1
| Brunswick. December 15.-The annual
convention of the teachers of Cumber-
land county met in the High School
building this morning., Principal Fish of
the Brunswick High School presiding
The secretary not being present when
the convention opened, the minutes of
the previous meeting were omitted, and
the convention proceeded to organiza-
ton. 1t was voted that the chairman
appoint committees on nominations and
resolutions. The chair stated that he
would defer the appointments until
later.
A paper was then read on "What /
teach most successfully" by Frank r.
Morse, principal of the Freeport High
School, Mr. Morse considered physics
his most successful study, because of it's
possibilities and practical value to the
student. He urged a,liberal use of ex-
periments in connection with the SUBJ
ject and recommended frequent reviews.
He claimed that enthusiasm must be
manifested on the part OF the teacher in
order to beget like enthusiasm on the
part of the pupil. A brief discussion
followed the reading OF this paper
The second paper on "What I find
most difficult to teach" was then read
by Mr.. B. E. Sinclair of Westbrook. Mr.
Sinclair thought that English grammar
was the most difficult study he had to
teach, largely because Of the scarcity of
suitable text books. He thought there
was the same lack of good text books
on history and geogrophy. He consid-
cred English grammar the most import
ant study pursued in the public schools
and urged moro extended course of
this study.
The third and last paper of the morn
ing session on Beginnings in Geogra-
phy," was read by Miss Florence M.
Lincoln. principal Of the Bath street
primary school Of Brunswick. The pa
per was exceedingly interesting and was
filled with many witty illusions to mis-
takes made by her pupils. After quite
an exteneed discussion as to the best
methods Of teaching grammar in the
public schools, the convention adjourned
until 2 o'clock.
The first paper of the afternoon was
by H. M. Moore of Yarmouth, entitled
Some suggestions on school govern
ment." Mr.. Moore thought teachers
should treat their scholars politely and
kindly. but firmly. Teachers should
talk to and not at the pupil. Good or
der should be insisted upon, and any
scholar who persists in disobedence
should be dealt with severely. Mr.
Moore's statements were supported by
Mr.. B. P. Snow of Yarmouth, and Mr.. w.
j. Corthell of Gorham. An excellent
paper on college requirements in Eng
lish literature" was read by Miss Mary
L. Fish of Woodfords. This was one of
the best papers read during the day.
Miss Nellie Nj. Cloudman of Gorham,
spoke of theImethods pursued by her in
instructing beginners in mathematics.
The chairman then announced the
committees as follows: D.
Nominating-M II. Small, Westbrook;
F. P. Morse, Freeports Miss E. A. S.
Pennell, Brunswick. :
Resolutions-B. +. Snow, Yarmouth;
B. E. Sinclair, Westbrook; Miss H. M.
Otis, Brunswick.
Defamation Hall, of the new High
school building in the evening to hear
the address to the teachers by Professor
H. L. Chapman of Bowdoin College.
Mr. Chapman's address lasted little
over an hour, and was listened to with
great deal of interest. After Mr. Chap
man had finished, short musical pro-
gramme was enjoyed. Mr.. Robert A.
Toothaker played the violin very accept
ably while Misses Edna Chandler and
Ethel Webb rendered several pleasing Sc
lections on the piano. The rest of the
evening was very enjoyably spent in an
informal reception and social intercourse
A few dances were provided for the
younger people in the latter part of the
evening. The election of officers takes
place tomorrow morning, after which
papers will be read on ''Ethical Teach
ing in the School Room,' by W. ]. Cor
thell of Gorham; Method in Teaching
History" by Miss Ellen A. Winslow of
Westbrook; ''Some Recent School Legis-
lation," by Hon. N. A. Luce of Augusta,
State Superintendent of Schools. There
were about 40 teachers present in the
m ornirao which n11n1 her ,,rar ,,aarl.z do.,