Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-13
KENNEBEC TEACHERS
Assemble at Their Sixth Annual Con.
vention in Augusta.


The kennebec county school teach
ers met, Friday. at the William n
Smith grammar school. for their sixth
annual convention of the association
which they take SO much pride and
pleasure In, and from which they get
so much profit and encouragement on
the occasion of these annual meetings.
1t is the most important event OF the
year in their professional life, a life
that indeed is second to none in the
welfare and progress of our country.
They We're a bright lot Of educators
that were there assembled at the
morning session, as the arriving trains
brought them from up and down the
river. Some came from across coun-
try in stages. and in teams. 1t didn't
matter so much how they got here
so long as they were here in time to
be present at the several exercises.
The meeting proper commenced a!
1890. Previous to that hour, the vfsi-
tors were welcomed by the local teach
ers, and shown some of the excellent
work done by the pupils Of the village
district. including the J. O. Webster
Laurel Hill. Grove street. and the Will
listiii ~. SMITH. LII tiiiS dioAliN tAN ~
pills are classified in ten grades. which
include the primary courses and end at
the threshold of the high school. Vari-
GUS examples of work were en- exhibit
ton. and it proved a most interesting
one to the visiting teachers.
The exhibition of work OF the pupils
was in the large room in the upper part
of the building. On one hand was a
large collection OF specimens of hand
writing. In the vertical system. recently
adopted by Prof. Graves. the principal OF
the district. the most astonishing devel-
opment has been made by pupils in all
grades. Even in the cases of the young
er ones. the work Is very clear and neat,
II high recommendation for this style.
Amongst the others Is Il collection OF
specimens showing writing after the
change had been made only few weeks
then. at the end of the fall term. and
thirdly at the present time. The inn
provement speaks for itself.
The pupils are given poetry TO write
and the teachers say they enjoy ii great
given:
do not then. stand idly waiting.
For some greater work to do:
Fortune is lazy goddess
She will never come to you.
Go and toll in any vineyard,
DO not fear to do or dare,
If you want Il field of labor
You can find it anywhere.
Along the walls We're hung maps. the
work of the pupils. some in relief. show
ing the physical character of the coun-
tries. Typographical likenesses that are
very true. and cannot bu; leave vivid
Impressions on the young minds that de-
sign them n the putty. Other maps
show by sections, the ownership of land
by the several larger countries. and their
products. affixed to the maps. in the
forms of little colored figures.
In others are shown historical condi-
lions of territory of our own country.
Charts show the physiological constitute
ton of the human frame.
Miss Eliott's exhibition of the drawing
done by the pupils in her charge. was
very interesting and attractive. During
the past year pen and ink, and brush
work in black and white. with model
and geometric drawing. has been taken
up. There also has been some fine worl,
done in drawings from nature, with orig
mai designs and imaginative drawings
from animal life.