Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-11-06
SOMERSET TEACHERS.
Rain Cannot Keep Them from the
Convention at Skowhegan.
Exercises, Papers and Discussions Of Great
Interest to All.

Somerset Teachers convention opened
it's first session at 1.30 today at the
Skowhegan High school building. The
meeting was called to order by Vice
President C. o. Small of Madison. who
is the chairman.
In spite of the rainy weather a good
ly number of teachers from the diff
ferent towns are in attendance and a
most enthusiastic and helpful con-
yention is assured. A great percent of
the success Of the meetings will be due
to the untiring energy of Supt. A. S.
Cole of this place, who although COM
paratively new to the responsible po-
sition he now occupies is making Show
hegan schools among the best in the
State.
At 200 O'Clock an instructive and
helpful paper was read by Miss Alice
NJ. Robbins of Madison. the subject be-
ing, How can teacher interest her
pupils in the best literature?' 1t was
we'll received and preceded the
teaching exercises of Miss Aida French.
At 220 occurred the teaching exer-
else in local geography by Miss Aida
IL, -.
grade primary of Leavitt street school.
The work was done by IL pupils,
whose ages are from seven to nine
years and it was performed in man
ner creditable both to themselves and
Miss French.
Among the first things which they
| were required to give was the location
of left. right, north and south. and the
| little ones very skillfully boxed the
compass, a feat which many of the old
er heads may we'll be proud. They were
able to clearly give directions in re-
gard to finding the dipper in the eve
ming from the positions of the stars and
also in the daytime from the rising of
the sun.
They fully demonstrated their ia
mliarity with the principal streets, pub
lie buildings. school houses. churches
and the several brooks in town for the
answers came accurately and without
hesitation. The direction from one
street to another was very carefully
given.
Familiarity with the principal streets
in town is cultivated by method very
successfully used by Miss French in
The plan of operation pursued is some
thing like this: The pupil by the use
Of the map starts at certain point
on street on an imaginary ride and
as he progresses he names the several
streets on which the ride takes place
and also is obliged to determine the d.
rection of other ones situated near.
The map used in the work of this ma
ture was made especially for the work
by the instructor and it reflects the
natural ability of the maker.
The exercise was followed by the
paper What should we teach beside
text books?' written by Mr.. F. A Far
rington, principal of Skowhegan High
school. The subject was treated in "A
most interesting manner and it con-
.aned many items of good advice in
regard to the use and abuse of text
books.
\ brief synopsis of MI Farringtons s
paper is as follows: Text books should
not be used at all or if SO should be
used very sparingly. When a change
is made from one text book to another
some difficulty is experienced by the
student.
taught rather than the facts contained.
Such process serves to strengthen
lhe memory at the expense of a weak
cned reasoning power For example.
give the scholar a problem in bank
discount and he will in most cases per-
form it readily enough, but give him
one involving the same principals, out
side that particular book and the
chances are that it could not be sue
cessfully solved. This is recognized
evil and one which should be correct
ed.
The method of procedure should be
to make the pupils training broader
than that defined within the narrow
limits of the text books. If geography
is being studied, let the instructor take
his class out of doors and make study
of a hill near yy, tell of it's formation
construction. etc. 1t is very probable
that the knowledge gained will al
ways he remembered by the pupil and
also the observing power is being
strengthened daily. What is true of
geography is true of the other studies
and sciences. If this observing method
is constantly employed, the great fault
arising from tne misuse ol text boohs
will be eradicated.
In the schOolroom, the physical being
of the pupils, is in many cases sadly
neglected. Calisthenics and light GYM
nastics should be taught every day
and as a consequence of this the stoop-
ing shoulders so often seen in school
boys and girls are Strengthened, the
healthful flush is on the cheek and
healthy boaies. generally, are sure tes-
timonies to the good results of such
course.
The duties of citizenship is another
subject important in all grades from
the grammar grades up through the
higher branches. These may be
taught in various ways that will be OF
interest to the pupils.
Beginning from the primary schools
the importance Of neat, personal ap
Dearance should be faithfully impressed
upon the pupils minds.
Drawing in the schools has made
rapid advancement recently under the
skillfu care of Miss Zaidee Morrison
who has this matter in charge. Those
present were much pleased with the
l..