Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-11-07
SECOND DAY
OF Convention Of Somerset Teachers al 81 ow.
hogan Was Very Interesting.


convention opened this morning in the
High school building at 9.15. The
weather was much improved over yes.
terday and a large number of teach
ers and many others were present
The exercises opened by all singing
America The early part of the SEES
sion was taken up by Hon. w. c. Phil
brock of Waterville, whose subject was
Music in the Public Schools" If at
tention and enthusiasm count for any
thing, then Judge PhilbrOok had nc
re ason to complain of his reception by
the Somerset teachers. His talk was
rcplett with excellent advice and was
given in such way that the hints
contained therein will be of material
value to the teachers present.
The speaker was glad to meet teach
ers in Somerset county. Music IN
school is what a teacher makes 1t. He
advocates the National systemas being
a good system to teach music.
1.-The first thing for successful
teaching of music is rote singing. The
child ought to sing before he studies
music Teach Rote songs that express
ideas in the children's world. Music
is a legitimate form of expressing ideas.
2-Teach scale as rote song. me
young children have same condition of
vocal organs until boys voice changes.
They should give the pitch as doc
and not do" 1t is much better for
the young voices. First teach scale
exercises containing no interval great
er that a second.
3-First the thing and then the sign.
When you come to sign, don't con-
fuse the children with too many names.
4-Scale in different keys.
5-Teach chromatics one at time.
A good deal of trouble is met with in
chromatics. 1t has been determined
that sharp is the one most used. The
next one was fiat :. These were cas-
lily learned.
6-Teach rhy thin by easy stages. Don't
forget what is the most natural
rhythm. The most natural rhythm is
double measure. This can be easily
learned by the pupils. Teach child
one thing at time.
In closing he said: Teach rote sing
ing thoroughly. When a teacher min
utely regards these several rules good
results will surely follow.
The talk on music was directly fol-
lowed by Mrs. Effie Hoffman Rogers
of Boston. whose paper on Drawing
in the Schools" was much appreciated.
The salient points are as follows:
THAT drawing enters into all prac-
teal business affairs and all means OF
higher culture to such an extent thai
we must give every child, high or low
rich or poor in city or country. al
least an elementary undertaking of it
2.-Drawing should be put into al
grades of schools and be based on the
individual study of form in models and
objects. 1t should be taught as a Ian
guage for expressing ideas.
3.-Drawing should be regarded and
treated as sensible, dignified study
in itself, taught Systematically accord
ing to a good comprehensive course OF
study, and supported by a supply OF
the necessary models, drawing books
and teachers modes.
4.-Besides being taught as a study
in itself, drawing should be used freely
in all the other school studies. BY this
means it will be an immense practical
help to the rest of the school work.
5.-Drawing should be recognized by
the teachers as offering the best avail
able opportunities there is for awaken
ing and developing children's sense OF
beauty. The opportunities should be
improved both for the sake of the in
dustral superiority and material pros
perity which it will aid, and also for the
sake of the moral good which will be
done for the children as individuals
needing to be equipped for life with al
the capabilities they can have fol
serene. happy thoughts and wholesome
unselfish pleasures.
Drawing is most helpful of all the
studies in the common school course t.
aid children in growing up more broad
minded-and more high minded. more
open minded to what is noble anC
beautiful in art and in nature a better
equal to both taking and giving 9
worthy share in the moral and spiritua
life of their generation.
The afternoon session was attended
by the largest crowd of the convention.
The session opened at 2.30 with a paper
, by Miss Robinson on How Can w,
Interest the Parents in the Work of tn,
School? The last day is an importan
one. Parents are then present. Reel
tations are in order and the parents
enjoy that day.
| Parents should visit schools often
By special exercises the parents arr
| drawn to the school room. Children
sometimes give readings thus interest.
! ing the parents in the work. Some
times current events are brought up il
the work. The parents tell the chill
dren some of these events. Sometimes
i work is taken outside of the regular
school work. Ask the children to brins
pictures fruit and so on, and then ash
the children to bring their parents t.
visit the schools. The pupils inter
est their parents. through the teacher
who endeavors to make the schoo
room a pleasant place. This was fol
lowed by paper by Miss Annie L
Beard of Madison, entitled. Mature
Studies in Primary Grades" which
was very good and interesting. Thi.
was followed by paper by Anna l.
Judkins of Skowhegan on How Spell
ing Should be Taught
One of our early educational writers
has said that reading and writing com,
by nature and perhaps some of u
think that he might have include,
spelling as we'll.
However. in these dave VIC b.. 49,.