Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-07
STATE HOUSE.
Arrangements and Studies
for Summer Schools.
Season Will Commence July IS,
Promises to Be Interesting.
Much Attention TO Nature Studies. Other
Notes From the Capitol.

Arrangements for the summer
w. w. Stetson, State superintendent
of schools, and circulars containing full
| information will soon be sent out by
him containing information regarding
them.
The summer schools of Maine will
open about the 18th of July and close
about the 2Sth of August. The places
where they will be held. and the dates
when each school will begin have not
nouncements of these facts will be
made through the public press as soon
as decisions are reached. 1t is expected
that there will be four summer schools,
and that some of them will be in ses-
sion for two weeks and some for three
weeks.
1t has been definitely decided to
group the work under four general
heads: Nature Studies, Common
|
Miscellaneous. Under Mature Studies"
are included work and methods in
zoology. physics, chemistry, botany
and mineralogy. The Common School
Studies" embrace instruction in and
methods of teaching arithmetic gram
mar, geography, history and reading.
10. .;,I
music, physical culture, drawing. ply
siology and hygiene and civcs
Under miscellaneous" are grouped
English language and literature, peda-
gogy. elementary psychology, art in
the common schools, and the course of
study.
Arrangements will be made so that
the hours assigned for the subjects
coming under any one of the four gem
eral heads. given above, will not con-
tlict. and SO far as possible. the pro-
gramme will be SO written that those
who wish to take work in more than
one group may do so.
For the course in nature studies. Mr.
Stetson says. Il series of lessons has
been prepared, covering some of the
simple principles of physics and chem
istry, and embracing observation work
in zoology, botany and mincralogy. A
furnished to those teachers who elect
the science work, and the printed sum-
mary will be expanded and explained
in a course of lectures. The compiler
Of the lessons has specially examined a
large number of the latest books bear
ing on object lessons in elementary sci
ence.
The results of his study will be COM
municated to the teachers, who will de-
ance in the choice of books for private
study and class room use.
The series of lessons has been ar
ranged with view to meeting the
needs of those hard worked and en-
thusiastic teachers who recognize the
great value of science instruction, but
are deferred from trying to teach it be-
cause of limited facilities for procuring
materials and apparatus. The methods
direct, and the material required can
be provided at nominal expense. The
animals chosen for study are the cat,
the dog and other familiar pets. Les
sons in botany deal with the common
seeds and plants. The work in miner
alosy is limited to the study of speci-
mems easily found in Maine. The cxer-
ciscs in chemistry and physics treat of
electricity, heat, the flame. solution,
etc The apparatus used in all cases
will be of the simplest construction and
can be duplicated by any teacher,
largely through his own efforts and at
very small expense.
Amongst the other studies will be
music, physical culture and drawing.
These will be conducted as class eX-
tTCISe. ILuS liSIl anu Ill'-i dtCIC W III w
given much attention by the same in
structor as was employed, last sum-
mer and who will be welcomed by
those who benefited by his able in
struction.
The work in the various branches
will be specially designed to assist the
teachers to follow the course which
they are pursuing in their schools.
BY no means an unimportant feature
of the teachings, and one that viii
doubtless be highly commended, IS the
series of talks which will be given on
decorating schoolrooms and inter
preting pictures. These talks will be
illustrated with engravings, etchinss,
etc of famous artists works
The following named persons have
been secured as instructors in these
schools: English language and liter
ature, Prof. A. J. Roberts, Colby uni
versity: nature studies, Daniel E.
Owen, Thornton academy; w. q. NAL
Misc