Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1896-07-20


work and his preparations seemed to
be well made. State School Super
1ntendent Stone was present and had
an oversight of the school. Mr.. Stone
is at home in this county in his friend
ships and in the matter of the school,
and expects each session will be a
profitable one. Mr. Andrews called
the order when scripture was read
and prayer offered by Rev. Mr.. Pratt
of Barton.
A citizen was asked to address the
school in a few words of welcome.
He spoke of the pleasure that came
to the people of the village in the
associations, the lectures and enter
tainments provided, and the warm
welcome that would be extended to
ALL Mr.. Stone happily responded
and spoke of the pleasure enjoyed
here in previous meetings and the
success of the schools held in this
county He had word of advice
and instruction in regard to the
teachers work and the opportunities
provided in the school. Senator
Miles and F. w. Baldwin, Esq, were
each called out and addressed the
meeting briefly, expressing pleasure
in the fact that the school had come
to the town again and a hope that it
might prove Of benefit to all. Judge
Thompson, president of the associa
ton, was called on and spoke to some
length. While he is in sympathy
with most of what may be called new
in the methods of teaching, he is of
the opinion that there has been
departure from some good methods,
and that sight of the Importance of
fundamentals has in a measure been
lost. He urged teachers to make
rudimedtary education more impor-
tant and called attention to the fact
that many so-called educated young
people are poor readers, spoilers and
writer's. He spoke of the necessity
of a better knowledge Of business
courtesy in matters of business, and
showed how the lack of knowledge in
this line might be of great disadvantage
to the young man or woman see king
to obtain a business situation. He
does not believe in mental examining,
but that the child should be taught to
think and to discriminate; these
qualifications come about through the
care and the effort Of wise teachers.
The speaker believed that the teacher
should well know the pupils and their
parents; he spoke of the fact that few
parents know anything about
school from personal observation and
deprecated the disadvantag of the
course of neglect. His remarks
covered a quite extensive range and
were of interest to all. His sugges-
tions to teachers ought to inspire to
new and better efforts.
The following is brief report of
the instruction given as furnished by
your reporter:
Walter Sargent Of, Boston, the in
structor in drawing, made this mean
far more to his pupils than it ever
has before. Commenced by showing
the study and first steps in drawing,
the lines, angles and geometric fig
ures, then the illustrative sketching,
working drawings, object drawings
and proportions, nature drawings,
and application of drawing to the
general school work.
Supt. M. S. Stone of Montpelier
spoke on elementary reading and
geography. The purpose of reading
is for culture, information, inspira-
ton and pleasure. Two methods, 81
lent and oral reading. Silent reading
is getting the thought, and oral is
expressing it. Pupils cannot express
the thought till they thoroughly I'M
derstand it. One of the great diff
culties in reading is in not thor
oughly understanding the subject.
Children are oftentimes given books
which are too advanced for them land
while they may know the words they
cannot catch the thought.
I. F. Hall of North Adams. Mass,
lectured on management, b istory,
and methods. Always begin prompt
ly and with confidence in yourself
Adapt yourself to circumstances;
learn to take pleasure in managing
difficult cases. Managing is training
and developing will power by occa-
sioning right motives; UNCONSCIOUS
discipline is the most effective. All
good discipline is educational knowl
edge. Study the character and ma
ture of the pupil, and guard the weak
est points. To train is to occasion
right forms of activity in the mind,
that they may apply them. Memory