Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-05-04
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.
Interesting and Profitable Points from
Last Weeks Session.

nisCusstd---Phys iOlOgy ana Hygiene
Mature Study---The ''Small Dis
taict school" Qucstion---Dr. j. VI
Rice's Helpful address.
The Windham County Teachers, insti-
tute held its opening session in the High
school room Wednesday afternoon, April
q. County Examiner Ryder called the
meeting to order, and at once proceeded to
the registration of delegates Representa-
tives from Putney SaXtons River, Bellows
Falls. Wiliamsyile. Dummerstou, East
Dover. Guiltorl Marlboro and Halifax
were assembled. with the BtattlebOro teach
ers, to listen to- the opening address of
State Superintendent Mason :. Stone of
Montpelier.
In simple and engaging manner Mr.
Stone spoke to the teachers on practical
points which arise in everyday work. BY
wav of introduction he remarked that
with respect to this institute or any other
the only way to- ret benefit out OF it is
by participation in it. He expressed dis
satisfaction with the present plan of insti-
tute work and limited at a different plan
in the future, in which the work would He
similar to that of the summer school
The subject of reading was first noticed
OF the two stages of reading first, learn
ing to read second reading to learn-the
first should be made to occupy the shortest
possible period He expressed his appre-
citation of the progressive methods EN-
ployed by the teachers of Vermont, the
old alphabet method of teaching reading
being almost entirely laid aside giving
place to the "best natural method comb
nation method or sentence method.
In arithmetic primary objective work
was advised, the establishment of the
study of mental arithmetic, and an insist
ance not upon ornamentation but upon
the study of the necessares. such as will
fit the boy and gin to live and fulfill the
twofold object first. training of the un-
derstanding second, memory. In the study
of language Mr. Stone believes IN Old-tash-
toned analysis and parsing; also that every
lesson assigned should be a language les
son. II confirmed the experience OF many
teachers, that book teaching of geography
is unsatisfactory, and that the text books
themselves are very much at fault. The
Vermont law makes its necessary for the
teachers of the state to aCquaint themselves
with the special geography, history and
civil government of the state, and for that
purpose Walton Vermont Register was
recommended. Drawing cultiyates the
eye. thought expression, opens the door to
elementary science, and helps to what
Iuskin says is 1.-THE highest action of the
human soul--to see something
The subject of school management re-
Ceived its share of attention. Whispering
the dreadful bane of the schoOl-room, was
the principal point of discussion. Nari-
Gus methods of prevention were advised
by superintendent Stone and 10y some of
the teachers from their own experience.
{ J. N.4, lI..
most original plan When he sends his
girl, to school the first day of the term he
makes them the offer of a dollar if they
will 90 through the term without whisper
ing. The teachers, no doubt, wish all par.
ents might take notice The state super
intendeut also remarked that proclama-
ton of Thanksgiving ought to he given
that the "whiSpering roll and "meri,
cards are Telegated to the past i'm Wind
ham county. 1t is the management OF the
ungraded school which is the greater test
of executive ability. Common sense and
good executive ability must take the place
OF rules for school management With a
few concluding remarks the institute was
Adjourned to 9 O'Clock Thursday morning
Thursday morning al q clock the Rev.
MI Parry conducted the opening exercises.
Attention was then given to the first mum
Der on the program, model class drill in
arithmetic, by Miss Horton, supervisor of
grades, Brattleboro. Twelve boys and girls
from Miss Aliens room, grade five. re
sponded very readily to Miss HOrton's
questioning. Their eager attention showed
their interest, and their replies gave evil
dence of thorough training in the use of
correct English, even in the arithmetic
class
II.
number of teachers from all directions.
among them Principal George \. Williams
of Vermont Academy SaXtons River, and
Principal Wright of Bellows Falls The
room was well filled both morning and aft
ernOou. Many of the towns people very
kindly opened their houses for the enter
tainment of visiting teachers, and all were
easily provided for. The register showed
that more than a hundred visiting teachers
were present.
After a short intermission the program
was continued by Principal q. A. Williams,
who read a paper entitled Language
teaching He explained to his hearers
that he was not teacher of the English
language, and therefore he must conclude
that Mr.. Ryder had invited him to speak
on that subject on the principle that men
who know least about a subject are usually
most ready to talk about it, He then pro-
ceeded to prove that keen observation Of
the experience of Others may enable a man
TO give very practical suggestions. He said
that in language teaching it should be
borne in mind that English was not writ
ten to Illustrate rules of grammar, there
fore the study OF technical grammar ought
to be secondary, and the study OF literature
itself should be the primary object The
real purpose of language study from begin
ming to end should be, first, to give a
thorough knowledge of English as a means
of expression; second, 20 develop a high
degree of mental culture. There can be no
real understanding of a race without
thorough acquaintance with its language
therefore we study Greek, Latin, French
English, the last most of all, in that we
care most for the past and present of the
English speaking people. Professor Viii
liams emphasized the need of especially
good training at the start in the primary
grades, also the advantage which the un-
graded school teacher has in having to deal
with a much smaller number of minds, so
that she may make a personal impression
on each. An amusing Illustration was
read from the primary reader of the "Globe
series, showing the twaddle in which the