Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-10-28
EfENFRFc TEACHERS
~
Continued from page 81

and walks like capitalist. His self
respect has increased and he is new
and better boy. The High and subur-
ban schools have not yet been included
in the plan. Miss Snow intends that
they soon shall be. Since it has been
in operation $2700 has been deposited in
the bank. During the summer Vaca-
ton only SOS of this was drawn. Part
Of this went to buy graduation SUIT
and a part to pay the expenses or an
operation on the eyes of the sister OF
one of the boys.
Miss Snow admitted that it meant
hard work for the teachers. but was
confident of it's success wherever 1t
might be tried.
A discussion on rank followed
Superintendent E. b. Barber OF Gardl-
ner, who was to have opened the dis
cussion was unable to be present.
Principal f. c. Cook of this city, brief
" discussed the question in an able
manner He considered that when 4
teacher was ranking a scholar he was
marking his growth in life. 1t was 4
difficult thing to do it fairly. One
scholar would make RAPID progress with
very little effort while another by pa
tient. persistent industry progressed
slowly but surely. 1t was hard to rank
these two justly. He did not favor the
use of figures but preferred letters or
words. 1t would be better not to rank
arbitrarily at all, but this was neces-
sary. BY its means the standard of
school work has to be maintained and
a communication between the teacher
and the parent established. He con-
sidered that a ranking system should
have three qualities. 1t should be rigid
enough to command the respect of the
scholars. 1t should be elastic enough
to encourage the plodding student. 1t
should also impose as little drudgery on
the teacher as possible. He favored
monthly reports to the parents. Prin-
cipal Clara NJ. Burleigh of Gardiner
continued the discussion. She agreed
substantially with the views expressed
by Mr.. Cook.
A paper on English in the High
School was then read by Miss A. NJ
Richards of Gardiner. She explained
her method of teaching. She believed
in having the scholars write much, and
usually required at least one compost
ton a day from her class in English.
The scholars We're often allowed to
chose their own subjects and this plan
was productive of good results She
also found that abstracts We're of much
value In description work she gave
the students something to describe and
then read them the best description Of
the subject she could find. In this way
they could see what could be done and
where their mistakes We're. In regard
to speaking good English. she believed
the only way was to keep constantly
ut it, The learning of rules alone she
considered not enough but constant
correction in the speech and writing of
the scholars would eliminate the mis-
takes in time. In the reading done by
the scholars she thought that those au-
thors most easily understood should be
read first and later the masterpieces of
literature could be more readily
grasped.
The illustrated lecture on Birds
by Principal w. NJ. Powers. which fol
lowed, was very interesting. He de-
scribed some of the common birds OF
Maine which do much good in destroy
ing harmful insects and gave some as
tonishing figures. He said that it was
estimated that at least 5000. 100000 were
saved annually to the farmers by the
birds which live on caterpillars alone
He said that the appetite of the birds
was simply endless. If unmolested
they would devour thousands of the
eggs of caterpillars each day. A robin
by actual measurement has been
known to eat IA feet of angle worms in
one day. His audience will certainly
have more respect and love for the
birds, and if some Of the ladies who
are having stuffed songsterS placed on
their hats, this fall, had heard the lee
ture they would never do it again.
The reports of the committees We're
then received. The nominating com
mittee offered the following list of Of
ficers for the following year and they
were unanimously elected. President,
Principal II. w. Dutch Hallowell; sec
rotary and treasurer, Miss Day: exec
utive committee. Miss Helen Plaisted.
Watervile. II. l.. Douglass. Hallowell,
w. NJ. Smith, Waterville.
The committee on resolutions sub
mitted one, and that was that the peo-
pie of Augusta should be thanked most
heartily for their kindness and enter
tainment: and also to the Maine Cen
trail. which kindly furnished half rates
to the convention.
In the evening. n lecture on His
tory" was delivered by Rev. Henry
blanchard. ID. D.. Of Portland. This
was fitting close to a good day and
was thoroughly enjoyed. After the lee
turc an informal reception was tender
ed the visiting teachers in the Baptist
NpStry