Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-15
MAINE TEACHERS
To Form a Branch of International
Teachers Reading Circle
Synopsis Of Plans to Be Adopted For
Its Formation.

ing course of professional study at
home to be governed by practically the
same rules as the International Circle, of
which it is a branch.
The latter was organized three years
ago, and has large number of members
throughout the country, some of whom
are Just graduating, while others a1e still
pursuing the course with pleasure and
profit All testify that it has been of
great benefit to them In becoming more
efficient teachers, aud in many instances
the direct means Of bringing them promo
tion in position and salary.
The international Reading Circle has
three distinct courses Of study-the brief,
advanced, and complete-requiring the
reading Of three, five and seven)~books,
respectively, each year The brief course
has been adopted for general use in
Name, though those who wish to pursue
the fuller courses are at liberty to do 50.
This course calls for the reading of one
book during each of the three years upon
each of the following topics: The history,
theory, and practice Of education. This
has SO far been modified as to add each
year another book upon practice
Three years of ten months each is the
working basis of time, but the course may
be completed in a longer or shorter
npriD6 IN + fon Il
1t. The work for each month is arranged
in definite and systematic manner A
series OF monthly syllabi, in which topics
and questions are presented to the reader,
has been prepared for the use Of members
so that the reader is not turned lose with
few books that he has pledged himself
to read, and which he is expected at the
end of the year to certify that he has read,
but he is advised as to his manner of
reading, and is guided as to the salient
points upon or about which to fix his
thoughts while reading.
Provisions are made for the granting of
certificates at the end of each year to
those who have done the work in a salts
factory manner. To determine this no
formal examination is held, but the
members are required to prepare written
work upon the topics and questions pre-
sented, and forward the same to the score
tary, Dr. Charles J. Mallory, for his
examination and approval.
Certificates will be awarded to those
only who have done meritorious work, so
that certificate from the International
Reading Circle will be valuable recon-
mendation to every one who wins it. II
the certificates are not desired no written
work need be done. Some written work
is advised, not only for the Purpose of
the certificates, but because
this is deemed the most efficient form of
study. However, it is better to read
without writing than not to read at all |
The work is so arranged that Il teacher
can do it alone Many are working in
this way, especially teachers located at a
distance from others Wherever possible,
the forming of local circles with stated
meetings for discussion of the work is
advised. In many places regular teachers
meetings for the consideration of local
school matters are organized, and the
discussion of the reading circle work is
included in the programme.
There is no membership fee nor annual
dues. The only expense to the members
is the cost of the books used, and upon
these liberal discount Is given.
The great object of the reading circle is
to improve the teachers, to make them
better qualified to teach, and thereby i'm
prove the schools. A well-known New
England superintendent, in addressing
the teachers of his own state upon this
subject, says:
"It is of special value to the unframed
and inexperienced teacher and Is of great
assistance to all who wish to advance in
the lines of education"
The board of managers for the Maine
Teachers Reading Circle includes W. W.
Stetson, State superintendent of schools,
and the following school superintendents
A. p. Wagg, Auburn; Mary ,. snow,
Bangor; l. C. Phillips, Bath; Osmon c.
Evans. Belfast; r. +. Gould, Biddeford;
f. f. G. Robbins, Deoring and West
brook; C. S. Holton, PASSPORT; A. l..
Henderson, Pennington; g. A. Stewart,
rou;ston. O. nj. Lord, Portland; a. 2.
Irving, Rockland; John s. Locke saoo;
xfhert Robinson, Skowhegan; W. l..
Waters, Waterville.
Charles J. Mallory, Phi. d., New York,
is secretary of the International Clrcie; T.
NJ. Sargent, Boston, manager OF the New
England division.