Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-11-01
OXFORD TEACHERS.
A LARcs GATHERING OF THEM IN
CONVENTION AT SOUTH PARIS.


A LARcs GATHERING OF THIN IN
CONVENTION AT SOUTH PARIS.
The trains which rolled into South
Paris Friday forenoon brought swarm
Of teachers and superintendents to at
tend the convention OF the Oxford
County Teachers Association. Thirty
three came from Rumford and Mexico,
about twenty from Bethel, and . large
representation from other parts OF the
county.
A socisl hour was spent after arrival
at the high school room, and promptly
At IL, the appointed hour, the associs-
ton vas called to order BY President
r. f. Hsnscom Of Bethel.
The meeting opened with Scripture
reading and prayer. Rev. r. j. Haugh-
ton Of South Paris then welcomed the
teachers In an address OF about fifteen
minutes. He treated Of the public school
A. an ally OF the church, and empha-
sized particularly the necessity OF moral
teaching and example on the part Of the
tescher.
President Hanscom responded briefly,
along the line Of thought suggested by
Mr.. Haughton. A recess was then
taken for dinner, and the visitors were
assigned 70 places Of entertainment.
Friday afternoons exercises opened
with singing By chorus from the South
Paris schools, and the records OF the pre-
cediug convention were then read. Be-
fore proceeding further with the pro-
gramme, a matter Of business was taken
up. This was In brief proposition
that the convention should so arrange
its work as to get through before noon
Of Saturday, 30 that those who wished
might 60 BY special train to Lewiston to
see the Bates Bowdoin football game.
As the Saturday afternoon programme
was short one, the arrangement could
be easily made. Several speakers were
very much 10 favor Of the proposition,
and Il Was voted to act accordingly.
Mr.. Ernest II. Pratt, assistant 10 Gould
Academy, Bethel, was then introduced
to read paper on the Correlation OF
Studies" Mr.. Pratt's paper WAS not
confined strictly TO the topic, but WAS
embellished with many side-remarks and
and was at least lively In
matter and form, all the WAY through.
Hon. j. A. Roberts Of Norway then
opened the discussion Of the question,
as the study Of Greek beneficial enough
TO the average student to warrant the
time spents" Mr.. Roberts answered the
question In the negative. He WAS fol-
lowed BY Messrs. Pratt Of Bethel, Robin
son OF Mexico. Wiley OF Norway, and
Puringtou Of Pennington. Nearly all the
speakers, while expressing their appre-
citation Of Greek and Its value under
some conditions, were very decided 10
saying that for the average student II
would not warrant the time spent.
Principal Geo. c. Puriugton Of Farm
ington WAS introduced to speak on the
subject, How 10 create and maintain an
interest In school work" Professor
Purington's talk was n delightful one
for any listener, and especially for
teachers. A very few points OF his talk
may be briefly mentioned: There Is
great deal In the personality OF the
teacher. Put yourself into the pleas
ATTEST personsl relations with your
pupils. Don't In any way stife the
energy that your pupils bring; try to
direct II. but do not repress It. A very
noisy school may be a good school; q
very quiet school IL almost sure to be q
dead school. Put earnestness into your
work. Life gives life. Get out Of the
ruts. The speaker enlarged upon the
value Of manual training. The hand
educstes the BRAIN" keep the hands OF
the pupils busy. Plays and games are 4
good thing, unless abused. Appeal to
the pupils love Of beauty; make the
school room as attractive and beautiful
as possible. Finally, cultivate a spirit
Of perfect friendliness, which Is one OF
the most important things connected
with teachers work.
A paper on GEOGRAPHY for Begin
ners," By Miss Cora Bell Shedd OF Nor
wsy, was enjoyed by all the teachers.
Miss King OF S,uth Paris read an ex-
cellent paper on Elementary Science.
A paper on the development Of
English In the High School Course"
very finely written and delivered by
Miss Alice T.. Purington, Bethel.
A paper by Miss Doyen, Language
for Beginners" created the most inter-
esting discussion Of the session. Only
brought Il TO a close.
The evening session was held at the
Congregational church. Address by
Prof. A. J. Roberts, Colby University,
on The School and the Community, very
and listened TO by large
and spprecistive audience.
The session Saturday morning opened
AT . An.
PRAYER BY Mr.. Bean.
Music-s patriotic song by a class
from Miss Leach's room, merited and
received much praise from visiting
teachers.
Discusslon-''Do our Pupils Graduate
too Young from our High Schools and
Colleges?" This was participated in by
nearly all the High School teachers In
the county. All seemed 10 be on the
affirmative.
A paper on Teaching Arithmetic" by
Principal +. A. Robinson OF Mexico vas
well written.
Discussion-"B Keeping Ia our
Schools" opened by Superintendent NJ.
+. Corson Of Rumford, who presented
the subj ct in an interesting manner.
We were very glad TO hear from Mr.. A.
ID. Park, formerly one Of Oxford Coun-
tvs popular teachers, on this subject.
He presented a very practical phase Of
this question.
A paper by Miss Evangeline Furnell OF
Rumford Falls High School, subject:
DIFFICULTIES with which the rural school
teacher Is obliged to Contend" This
article was exceptionally fiue, and was
listened TO with interest by all.
Reports of committees.
Election Of officers.
Question Box.
Adjourned to meet at Norway third
week OF May, 1899.
The meeting throughout was one OF
the most interesting and best attended
that has been held for a long time.
SHOCKING ACCIDENT.