Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1895-07-15


introduced Mr.. B. @. Day, himself a
former manager of the school, not as
the "Day," but as the ''Rising Dawn ,
Mr.. Day acknowledged the compi-
ment and proceeded to speak on
the "History of Education.' He
traced the progress of teaching as an
art from early times down to the
present, noting the progress which
has been made. He showed how the
masters have developed the better
has come to take the place of the old
er and poorer things. Speaking of
the present, as compared with past
methods, he spoke of the old lady who
complained of the schools, because
''the children have too good times
| nova days"
The "Social Hour" was ar
ranged by Mr.. Day, Miss Gertrude
Skinner and Miss Clement, an inform
al affair, but one that passed off very
pleasantly. Bowls of cool lemonade
on the tables of the room helped to
cool the temperature and to facilitate
sociability. Miss Florence Currier
favored the company with some very
finely rendered piano music. The au
dience was fortunate in the presence
of Miss Ida K. Kinds of Brooklyn, n
Y, professional lecturer and teach
er Of elocution and physical culture,
who gave two pleasing selections.
Tuesday Morning = Mr.. Fletcher
spoke on "School Management" All
school work should be made interest
ing, but not too easy. Pupils should
be kept active. Teaching should be
such as to draw out the thoughts of
the pupil. Questions should not be so
put as to suggest their answers. Teach
ers should strive to make themselves
useless by giving the children chance
to think for themselves. Cultivate
the power of observation. Children
may learn things they no not under
stand. Teachers should know the par
ents and homes; they should be firm
and just but sympathetic and kind. 1t
is the right of the children to be whip
ped sometimes. Boston permits cor
poreal punishment when necessary
and keeps her boys in the grammar
school. Chicago does not allow her
boys to be whipped, but turns
them out into the streets to be con-
verted into criminals and anarchists
Mr.. Day gave lesson on ssNature
Study.' He showed how a lesson
could be made of interest by the use
of familiar things. He illustrated by
taking the COW, the sheep, etc. The
child's thought is turned toward the
care, the food, the habits, etc., of the
animal.
Miss Rena Hall of Island Pond, a
teacher who has very pleasant way
with the children, had a class of chill
dren to whom she gave Language"
lesson. She worked with flag, toy
sheep and pictures. She excited the
interest of the children, and drew out
many bright answers from them. Miss
Holbrook also gave lesson on ''Lan-
guage."
Mr.. Fletcher spoke on "Reading."
Primary reading has received great
impetus in the last few years, but in
the intermediate and grammar periods
it has been neglected. More time
should be devoted to it in this period.
Effort should be made to enlist the
child's attention in the thought and
sentiment of the reading lesson; the
pathos and meaning of the piece
should be brought out by the reader.
Many suggestions were made which
should be of great benefit to those
present. Mr.. Day gave a lesson, also
Miss Martha Ross of ST. Johnsbury
who commenced series of lessons on
''Drawing.'
Thursday Evening.-Mr.S Stone, State
superintendent, gave pleasant and
interesting lecture, describing what
the average boy is, and discussed the
problem of his education and devel-
opment. His description of the boy
was pleasing and accurate. He traced
his educational course up through
three stages, the common school pc
riod, the academy and high school pc
riod and his college career. Compar-
atively few take the last. The diff
Guilty of managing school, made up
of from twelve to twenty boys and as
many girls was mentioned, and the
surprise is that teachers can be found
VINO do it as we'll as it is done. The
speaker believes that progress is be-
ing made in the schools through the
advantages of the new law, the bet
ter education of teachers, and better
methods. He thinks, however, that