The Somerset reporter., 1898-11-24
Teachers Association.

enthusiastic number OF teachers gain
cred within the walls of Arson Acad-
envy. All were interested in the many
good D pers and addresses which filed
in the programme. At IL O'clock, Pres
ident Harrington of Skowhegan, called
the meeting to order and the prayer was
offered by Rev. j. Z. Clancy. Supt. G..
K. Paine gave a cordial welcome to the
teachers, and in scholarly paper placed
good character building as the basis of
true education. Mr.. Harrington made a
short, well.worded response. Miss
Mabel Steward, North Arson, gave a
very interesting paper, What shall the
grammar school do for its pupilsp A
lively discussion followed, in which
many participated especial emphasis
being placed on the necessity of teach
ing pupils to read ntelligently. The
merits aud dement's of the geography
system were discussed, and in grammar
there was plea for the old time analy.
sis. Miss Elgiva Luce, Skowhegan,
gave an earnest and helpful paper, The
necessity of self control on the part of
the teacher. Miss Alta Reed, Madison,
read paper on Geography, which was
we'll received, and further discussion
followed in which several teachers gave
their experience in preparing and teach
ing this study Many expressed them
selves as dissatisfied with the present
text books, as too much foreign matter
is compiled in the geography. Mr.. Gill
more, representing the American Book
Company, being present, expressed
desire to learn just what educators de-
manded for geography, as the pub
fishers would gladly comply with the
wishes of the public. The noon hour
having arrived the discussion was closed
before any decision was reached.
At the opening of the afternoon session
! the school room was filled to its utmost,
and standing room was scarcely availa-
BILE, which, with the fact that dismal
rain made the travelling anything but
desirable, proved that the teachers of
Somerset county are dauntless and irri-
pressible. The first paper for the after
noon was, The Importance of English
grammar, by Miss Bertha Files of Madi-
son, which was very instructive. Next
was an able paper, How shall we teach
history? by A. B. Hoag, North Arson.
Discussions on grammar and history
followed A paper, Reading in the
primary grades, was given by Miss Ethel
L. Head, Skowhegan. In bright,
entertaining way, Miss Head explained
her method of sight words, drill in
phonegrams and ear training. An ad-
dress was given by G. w Marston of
/ GlrAnhannp of . ,iQDna
from a teachers standpoint. He spoke
fiuently and interestingly on chemistry
and physics. Applying them to pupils
he said he would first teach them how
to think, then treat of facts, and lastly,
teach them how to cultivate magma
ton At $50 o'clock the business meet
ing was opened and Miss Mabel A.
Steward was appointed secretary pro
tenn. The minutes of the last meeting
were read aud accepted. BY request
President harrington read the constitu.
ton. committee of seven was APP
pointed to nominate list of officers:
A. b. Hoag, North Arson, president;
Miss Addie NJ. swain, Skowhegan, vice
president; Miss Mabel A. Steward, North
Arson, secretary; Miss Nellie E. Russell,
akowhegan, treasurer, which were voted
ON and accepted. President Hoag took
the chair and appointed as committee
on resolutions: f. G. harrington, G. E.
Paine, Miss Elgiva b. Luce. 1t was
decided to hold the next meeting in
Skowhegan.
At 7 80 o'clock in the evening a large
audience gathered in the f. b. church
to listen to Prof. George G. Purngton,
principal of the normal school at Farm
ington, who delivered a gracefully writ
ten lecture, A great educator, His
theme was Horace Mann and the subject
was handled with ease and dignity.
North Arson people were particularly
interested as the speaker was student
at the academy 30 years ago.
| Friday morning as it was still rainy,
steady stream of umbrellas went up
over the Hill and disappeared within the
academy door until the school room was
again filled with interested pedagogues.
The first on the programme was an ex-
cellent address by A. simmons, Esq,
| North Arson, on civil government in
the lower grades. He suggested as
topics for such study: Nature of civil
government; kinds of civil government;
some principles of civil government;
settlement of the colonies; the American
revolution; articles of confederation !;
origin of the United States constitution !;
nature of the constitution; branches of
the United States government. An in
.teresting discussion followed which
favored civil government in the lower
grades. Supt. A. A. Badger, Skowhe-
gan, read an instructive paper, Language
in the lower grades, which was fully
discussed. The next was thoughtful
article, The value of psychology to the
teacher, by l.. r. Folsom, Norridgewock
After short recess the unfinished bust
ness was taken up President Hoag
appointed as executive committee, A. A.
Badger, Skowhegan; Walter Hendricks,
Fairfield; Miss George Colby, Bingham.
Nineteen new names were placed on
the list of membership The committee
on resolutions reported as follows:
Resoloed, That we express our hearty
thanks to the people of North Arson for
their interest in, and courteous treat
ment of the members of the convention.
Resolped, That we express our appre-
citation and thanks for the kind and gen.
erous treatment at the hands of the
Norridgewock Electric K. K. Go. and the
Somerset R. r. Co.
Res0lped, That, inasmuch as an All
Wise God has seen fit to remove from
our ranks one who has been a faithful
worker in the cause of education, and
who sacrificed his life for his country,
we, the members of this convention, do
express our heartfelt sorrow at the
death of Mr.. w. w. Poore, who died at
Chickamauga, August s. 1893.
! Al