Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-08-18
Close ofthe sum mer school.


OF all in their loss.
Close of the Sum mer School.
Thursday the school opened as usua
with devotional exercises, followed by 9
talk on psychology by Mr.. Nash, In which
he explained the brains action in the
entertaining OF an idea and how the pres.
entation of an object to the mind calls
into action a whole series OF brain cells
and we get a whole series of ideas.
Our ability to fasten our mind on a
certain subject is of great value to us and
we should seek to cultivate this ability in
the pupil.
Always emphasize the good things.
Don't have the child tell how many prob.
lens be has wrong Tut how many he
has right.
In the geography lesson Mr.. Hall spoke
of how structure should be taught to the
beginner. After looking at the natural
| objects have him mould them. and when
he has a clear idea OF mountains, valleys,
ETC., teach the structure OF the whole
earth. Let each pupil have a globe right
in his own hands and allow him to mark
with chalk the part be is studying. In
teaching geography you should follow
the order of structure, drainage, vegetR-
ton, people and government as each OF
these depends on the preceding one.
Mr.. Meader took the constitution,
the amendments and bill Of rights for the
subject OF the history lesson. The con-
stitution should be read and explained to
the pupils until they are perfectly famil-
lar with II. Frequently the subject OF
which the lesson unit forms part should
be taken in perspective. This enables the
| learner to take general view OF the
whole at long range and OF the points in
| question as lesson units at short range.
The first period of the afternoon was
taken by Mr.. Hall with lecture on geog-
raphy. Use simple methods and present
the same thing over and over again in
different ways. Make the recitation varied
and 1t is best to use the topical method in
this study. Make your teaching OF such
a character that your children will get
broad views OF the subjects, and, realiz
ing that the school is only place OF be
ginning, desire to continue the work OF
obtaining knowledge.
Mr.. Meader's subject for the history
lesson was Vermont, settlements and
early history. He spoke OF the relative
size OF this state, her importance in early
ed by. The teacher should, II posi- BILE,
show up the leading features OF each ad-
vance lesson. lighting way through the
difficulties and preparing the way for
study.
The third period was taken by Mr..
Nash on psychology. The mind necessari.
ly views the subject first as whole and
then in its parts, so out of this law we
get universal method of teaching-name.
ly the objective method. The worst thing
in the world Is the teaching OF words.
There is vast difference between knowl-
edge and information. We should see
that our pupils obtain knowledge when
ever II is possible and not be satisfied with
simple information. We do not stand
still in this world. 1t Is development OF
degeneracy so we should be sure that 1t
Is development with our pupils.
Friday morning Mr.. Nash continued the
subject OF psychology, speaking first OF
the growth of the brain. The school Is q
place for slow, healthful growth physical.
ly, mentally and morally, and Il Is tne
teachers duty to aid such growth. II
this is obtained the school is conducted
rightly. Proceed from the known to the
unknown. The broader we teach the
more surely will the child remember.
Mr.. Hall next spoke on geography. He
thinks Frye's geography one OF the best.
He defines teaching as putting things In
a new light within reach of the pupil. 1t
is not details the children should carry
away with them but dominant things
and in such a way that they will remain
in the MIND. The chief duty of the
teacher is to teach the children how to
study. Do not make the recitation a
tooth. pulling operation but make 1t en-
joyable. For the history lesson Mr..
| Meader took for the subject, "Vermont:
| the Constitution and Local Government"
/ In very clear way did he show what
were the most important points and how
they should be developed. In each lesson
a definite point or series OF points should
be made and the connection between
these points and those lmmeolateiy pre-
ceding should be observed. BY follow
ing thus definite plan in logical order,
one is enabled to cultivate the habit OF
| systematic work, and this leads to grow
| ing interest in his daily work.
Mr.. Hall spoke first In the afternoon on
geography. The talk was short and re-
view of the weeks work. He showed how
the subject should be developed, follow
| ing the outline which be gave on the pre-
ceding day. Have the children take q
good geography and find out all they can
about the subject of the lesson and not
learn what the book says word for word.
Mr.. Meader next gave the last history
lesson, the subject being the study SoS SI
for teaching it.
Three steps at the least should be taken
in the neutrality-suspicious. presenta-
ton aud application. When the pupil's
mind has been made ready by iudicious
questioning he is ready to have new truths
or points presented, and these IN turn
should be applied to what he has previ-
ously grasped.
The last lecture was by Mr.. Nash on
psychology. He summed up the work OF
the week, giving many methods ana
showing the teachers why certain things
should be done. These talks have been
very useful and practical and no one
could listen to Mr.. Nash without deriving
much benefit and inspiration to do better
work.
(Other locals on next page.)