Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-20

| tefent than trying TO memOriZe, one
after another, the meaningless forms
of the letters in the alphabet. Not only
does. the child learn to recognize words
this way but at the same time ne
| learns to write them, and for this pur-
| pose pen and ink are placed on the
desks. even in this lowest grade. Copy
ing is, of course, a painful process at
first. but before the end of this first
year the pupils are able to write their
names and easy sentences in neat
and legible hand that wilt shame most
high school scholars. The copying is
mostly done from the desk, not from
the board, as that would strain the
eyes. The teacher tells the pupils
stories and fables daily, and these are
repeated by the pupil, thus charging
his vocabulary and giving him ease
and quickness of expression.
| In the number work the new
Speer method is now used in Grade l.
with great success. This system is
based on the idea that numbers are
| relations of magnitude. and in connec-
ton with it are used wooden solids Of
all sizes and lengths and shapes These
are like toys for the pupils. but in the
hands of the bright teacher they be-
come wonderful means of arithmetical
and geometrical instruction. There is
no talk made about the numbers "one.
two" or three" in the abstract
Numbers as mere numbers are un-
known in Grade l. a little block. an
inch square. is called one" Two SUCH
blocks placed side by side, or on"
block equal in shape and length to two
50 placed. are called two" and 50 on.
With this for foundation the children
arithmetic and even oc geometry in th"
first year. than many Of us have ever
learned in our lives. Ana all the time
they are at play. as It We're and thor
oughly enjoy every moment.
Think Of little tots of fiNr and SIS
years talking about halves. and tifths
and tenths, and squares ana cube-,
and rectangles. and cylinders ana
triangular surfaces 1t seems strange.
doesn't it? But that is the daily pro-
gramme in Grade l: ana what is more
the little people know what they az
talking about. for they have he objects
themselves in their hands. Thus sense
of touch is cultivated hy handling the
blocks With their eyes shut. and their
Judgment and eye are developed by
using the wooden numbers in their
various combinations. They also dra
on the board representations of the siza
and shape Of the blocks they handlt.
In connection with this number work
the units OF length, capacity. etc, ar,
made familiar. without the learning of
any dreary tables.
one If the most interesting features
Of the recent meeting of the State
Pedagogical Society in this city was an
exhibition in number work according
to the Speer method by division \ from
Miss pohcrtys room. The quick work
of this group of tiny mathemau cians
won much applause from the assem- oiled
asked to name the curved surfaces they
could lind in the schoolroom. After
they had mentioned everything of this
nature their quick eyes could discover
one sweet little lady with q very par
donahle vanity held out some Of tn"
long cuyls that fell over her shoulders
curved surfaces also.
Although much time is given each
day to language work. writing ana !
number work in Grade l., more time is
given to music than To any other single !
branch. There is singing at al! hous
of the day, and it is more than likely
that the casual visitor approaching Il
room Of this grade will be met by tn
sweet music of the childish voices The
teaching Of singing to pupils 50 youn&
does not have in view their possible
future as opera singers. but is based
on The broadcast principles Of modern
educational methods. One Of the most
noticeable things among these littl
pupils is their happy, contented spirit
They are always bright and cheerfN!
and this is due in great part to the
constant singing. When they are tired
or restless the teacher at once starts
them on a song, and the result is Won
1erfu 1t wakes them up, fills their
| lungs With air. and acts as an inspira-
| ton to them all Many of the songs
are accompanied by marching. while
others are motion songs. Once week
| Miss Deering. the music teacher of the
| district visits each room. and every
day the teacher carries on the work in
| this line, drilling the class on new