The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1893-05-19
Tea chers' Institute,

The annual institute Of Windham count,
} teachers opened at Bellows Falls Mondaf
morning at 10 o'clock with devotional syer-
cises by DR. Williams OF Saxtons River. TAe
address by County Examiner Ryder on "Tse
Discoveries of q County Examiner" was
amusing, and showed how plainly that too
much care cannot be taken In the selection pf
our teachers. Mrs l. Is Ferguson read an tx-
cellent paper on "Grammar" but more es'
pecialIy the teaching Of the English language
In the public schools. 1t was an Instructive
paper. ...,., ,... .n..,, ,v u,..
Mary l. Poland, supervisor OF the Bfatteboro
schools, with paper on "Ge0graphy." She
gave some scientific methods of tesching this
branch Of education. Miss Gotta Gale
gave class exercise In geography
IN connection with the address, which
showed some good ideas. Principal d
Horne of Brattleboro, gave an excellent al
dress on "Juvenile Literature" which was
very instructive. Following came Prof Ed.
ward Elery, Instructor In science at Ver-
mont academy, with some worthy ideas OF
| careful consideration. He urged the teaching
of botany, geology ard zoology in The public
schools. not by taxi books. but by observa'
ton. Discussions followed many of the pa.
pers, and Principal Horne's address received
especially favorable criticism.
Monday evening, Edward 5 Conant, prin.
cipal OF the state normal school at Randolph
gave most interesting and ENJOYABLE lecture
on "Our School system: What 1t does and
tion of the ideal school of The future, when
there will be three divisions, the primary In
Guiding all that ia now embraced In the first
three grades; An intermediate grade to To-
clute the present high school anc higher
grade similar to the academies ana colleges,
and all to be free to whomever would attend.
Tuesday morning Rev Ellsworth Fullerton
A Ipfnd IA The frat
paper was read by Prof s s Wright on
Arithmetic" who illustrated his remarks by |
q class exercise In mental arithmetic. 1t was |
one of the most remarkable exhibitions OF |
what children can do In mental arithmetic, |
with proper training, ever seen by those pres |
celved. Prof w Howard OF Vermont acad' |
envy, spoke upon Arithmetic In the common |
schools" which was highly appreciated by |
the audience. State Superintendent Stone |
on Methods OF teaching the address was |
very interesting. Suot + Hall OF arlington. |
Mass, gave mastery address on discipline"
which was carefully listened to by his au-
dience. This closed the morning session.
In the afternoon, Supt Il l. Temple Of Rut-
land appeared with highly interesting paper |
on "Purposefulness In Teaching, Much |
good can be learned from this paper He said
The first thing for person VINO wished to
teach was to make up her mind to drop all
other means OF livelihood and make this |
business. He gave some Interesting facts
about his own experience. At the close he
was enthu siastcally applsuded.
Supt Hall next came with paper on
Practical Psychology What shall we study!
How" Ets idea was that children should
De trained by bringing the same idea In a
iiderent color as many times as Is necessary
o get 1t firmly fixed In their minds, then The
Will takes control and the child manages the
Will. releasing It With what force ia npcpsSa.
y. Part OF his remarks were illustrated on
he blackboard and some amusing illusions
we're made. Miss Keifs's paper on 'Hlsto-
y" was well given. According to her idea
Il teaching, history should be begun at an
arly age, below the 9th grade instead of the
th and 7th, as is at present taught. The
Program closed with q question box.
A club will be organized a. Bellows Falls
ext fall by Prof Williams and County ex- (
miner Ryder and monthly meetings viii be
eId. An institute will be held at Rutland /,
ext week.