Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-10


they should have lasting impressions of it
The child must see and feel the truth of 8
statement, and understand it in order to re.
member and be able to use it. Practical
methods, full of life, which interests the
students, prove of more avail than the hum
drum way Of past years. Map drawing, il
rightly handled is one OF the most impress
sive ways Of teaching geography.
The study of the mountains,
rivers, lakes, sections of the
county, etc., should be dealt with in such
a way the student will see the picture before
him. Botany. astronomy, zoology and
geology, climate, products, etc., can be
included in the lessons and add to the en-
thusiasm Of the pupils. A little history is
also desirable feature to add. as it will
aid the memory in holding link of knowl-
edge about some particular section of the
the country. Mathematics rightly taught
are at least equal in value to any study
that can be taken. II is next to reading
and writing. 1t is the most used by the
mass of people. 1t develops the reasoning
faculties and thus gives power, the ultimate
purpose of education. 1t seems to me the
course of study for our grammar schools
has been too largely in favor of those who
can complete the high school course. The
boy should be fitted for the ordinary duties
of citizenship in the grammar school.
The afternoon session was opened by
further discussion of the paper on "Sci-
ence," presented by Prof. Farnham of
Brookline, Mass, in the morning session.
This was followed by paper on "Calis-
themes" by Miss Ida R. Chapman, principal
of the South Gardiner grammar school. She
treated in an entertaining and practical way
Of the necessity of physical training in our
schools. The vigorous following Of physi-
cal exercise, she said, will give good bodily
which affords the best possible
foundation for working capabilities. A
strong mind and a strong body are needed
for the active work to be accomplished to-
day. The first part of our duty should be
the building up of strong mind by the de-
velopment of sound body. The time is
passed when the development of the mental
faculty 10 the chief aim in life. The phys
ical training afforded today in the colleges
was mentioned and the excellent suggestion
made that it would be good idea to have
the training begin in the lower schools. The
gymnasium apparatus should be light and
simple and the exercise taken in modera-
ton and never to fatigue. The apparatus
should be largely determined by the grade
of the school. The teachers who instruct the
scholars in the physical exercise should
have a knowledge of anatomy and be able
to arrange the exercises so as to strengthen
the weak parts and give general all round
development of the body of each Individual
pupil. A good physique is one of the neces
sary qualifications for work today and it
would seem that if the culture in obtaining
this should begin early and be directed care
fully, the natural growth of the child
would be strong and firm. Time can be
found in every school each day to devote
few minutes to this part of school work.
After the reading of Miss Chapman's
thoughtful paper, several scholars were
called to the front and went through series
of exercises for developing the body with
out apparatus of any kind.
The paper on Education Through Kinder
garten Occupations which was to have been
read by Miss Nellie L. Cioudman, principal
of the primary department, Gorham Normal
school, was omitted on account of Miss
Cloudman's inability to be present, owing
to death in her family.
Exercises in music by Miss Estella c.
bearing, teacher of music in the Augusta
schools, was a very interesting feature
of the programme. A class of little folks
sat in front of the platform and dis
played very creditable knowledge of this
study. They were drilled upon the raising
and lowering of the voice. The scale was
sung, both individually ard by the class.
The method used seemed to be we'll under
stood by the children. They sang. in
pleasing way, several simple songs which
served to show they had acquired consider
able acquaintance with the tunes. This
exercise was closed with q two-part song.
The paper on professional Reading"
by Prof. W. L. Powers, principal of the
Gardiner high school, 10 given in brief as
follows:
1.-The teacher il the only profe ssional
who enters upon his labors without pre-
study of the technicalities of his trade. He
is the only professional man who goes to
work entirely ignorant of what has been
accomplished in his chosen line in the past.
He explained the preparation for the law
yer, MUSICIAN, minister, and what each
studied in order to become familiar with
bis life work. Teachers, is there
not crying need that we
look over the field and grapple
with the problems? Should we
not review the history of the past and see
what has been done in our profession?
Thou that teachest another, teachest thou
not myself? How shall it be done? Study
The schools Of thi, land and see if they have
not some methods or aims that woul1 bene-
fit US. Find out what the schools of other
are d,ing. Some ideas can be
derived from study of the methods used
years ago. Some IDEAS may be procured
from the book, tom Brown at Rigby."
Studv histarv to he viae Learn what