St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-11-29

with cautions attached. Frye's geogra-
ply he said was one OF the best works on
these lines But we must not go too far
in this matter. We must teach those
things that are interesting, that the
child is ready to take up. After thefoun-
dation is laid let us lead upuntil we teach
humanity, the highest of all studies.
Teach them what men and women and
children are doing on the other side OF
the world.
Children are interested in taking up
geography in the form oGourneys, Map
out the trips and talk about what is
seen on them. This is very good for re-
viewing.
The way to progress in education is to
experiment, to try new methods The
departmental method is a great success,
because the teachers know more of the
subject and have more confidence The
teachers were asked to tell their pupils OF
their trip here instead of taking the text
book on returning home. Another
method is by reading books of travel,
and magazines.
Teachers need materials to work with,
tools, maps charts, globes, etc. The
community must furnish these, and
teachers must demand them. While
waiting for this, you will have to put
your hands in your pockets and get them
yourselves. Both teachers and children
:eed these supplies.
In conclusion, there is no trouble in
interesting children in geography if we
only take the right methods.
The matter Of paying the fee for con
vention expenses was then attended to,
during which time there was music on
the organ by b. F. Harris,
The presence of book men here for busi-
ness was mentioned, and advice given
that they be looked at as well as the
books.
Mr.. Henry 7. Bailey, superintendent of
drawing for Massachusetts, took the
platform to speak on Illustrative sketch
ing. lust as soon as a child can do any
thing he begins to make marks. They
begin with caricatures such as (hcre the
blackboard work began,) There is one
thing besides deviltry we do not have to
teach The child draws by nature. We
must appreciate or understand his crude
attempts at drawing. Teachers tell
their pupils that they must not do such
things in school, and stop them in their
attemps to draw. blackboard sketches
were made continuously throughout this
address, and words fail to give an idea
of their interest.)
We ought to nurture the ideas shown
in these things. Here the expressive pic
ture of an Indian scout as drawn by a
boy raised laugh 1t was direct, SIM
ple forcble. We must encourage
and not discourage these expressive
drawings. Encourage it by precept and
example. Use it as sort of reward OF
merit. The teacher herselfis to sketch.
She may say she can't but she should
make a beginning, and here an ilustra-
tive sketch caused laugh
Appeal to the pupil through the eye as
well as the ear. To do successful work
with the crayon the matter YOU use must
be very simple. You will then not lose
the chldren's attention. The manner OF
the teacher is more important than the
matter. We have got to make it a Ian
guage we can use easily and lorcibly.
We must direct the children in their
sketching so that they will draw only
what is helpful. Here dangers of the sys-
tenn were pointed out; anything con-
nected with the ideal is out OF place in the
primary grades.
The pupils may represent movement,
life. Numbers must bcrepresented simply
so that the idea of number and not that
of form will be prominent.
Simple sketches make clear the con-
ditions of aproblem representing images.
Use illustrative sketches to illustrate GER
tain principles The advantages and
dangers OF the method were illustrated
on the blackboard. Illustrative sketch
ing is useful in history. Here sketches
| filled in the time, so as to very fully show
how this is true. Diagrams showing
plans of campaigns and characteristic
details help wonderfully to fix facts in
the chIcrcn's minds, but they must be
warned not to make pictures of George
Washington.
1t is indispensable in geography The
maps should embody the chiIdren's ideas.
Their diagrams should be of local con
ditions. Here sketch of what the lee
turer knew OF st. Johnsbury brought
down the house.
Lastly, drawing in nature study is
needed to embody ideas of life. The idea
of life and movement is synonymous it
the childs mind. The illustration of q
violet plant growing from a seed was
here given to show movement in plants
The appearance of life embodied in tn,
form will next be sought for. He vii
learn to draw buttercup that he car