The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-05-17
WALDO co. TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

",
Friday, May 11th. The morning session
was opened at 1915 a. M, President S. c.
Thompson of WnterpOrt, presiding. The
choir rendered a selection, after which Ar
thur Ritchie, Supt of Schools of Liberty,
cordially welcomed the visiting teachers.
President S. c. Thompson responded brief
ly
The first topic on the program was "Na-
ture Study by W. r. Howard, principal of
the Belfast High School. Mr.. Howard con-
fined his talk principally to insect life. He
explained in detail how to collect and mount
specimens and gave the life history of one
species of butterfly, using mounted speci-
mems and colored photographs to illustrate
the various stages of its existence.
The topic, ''School Discipline" was ably
discussed by Supt John r. Dunton of Bel
fast. He compared the present form of dis
cipline, both in the home and in the school,
with that of former days He believes that
fear of punishment is innate in children and
that the ultimate end of all discipline is self
government Children should learn to re-
spect authority, and since children are SO
widely different the discipline should be
largely individual A kindly appeal to the
class may be effective, out harsh criticism
is always harmful.
After a selection by the choir, short
business session was held and the meeting
adjourned until afternoon.
Dinner was served to the visitors in the
hall. The tables were prettily arranged
and abundantly supplied with good things.
A dainty boutonniere of maytiowers was
laid at each plate. The visitors were wait
ed on by class of young ladies from the
Liberty High school. The noon hour was
spent in wandering about the pretty village
and visiting places of interest. Some of the
teachers visited the tannery, and through
over the buildings and had the various pro-
cesses explained to them.
The afternoon session was opened by
President Thompson. A selection was rem
dered by the choir, after which an excellent
teaching exercise in geography was given
by Miss Mary Brown of Liberty. A very
interesting paper on ''The Country Schools
Miss Josephine Knight of Searsmont The
topic, 'Drawing," was discussed by Miss
Lena F. Cleveland of Camden. Miss Cleve-
lands talk was very interesting and full of
practical .instr1IctiOn. She had specimens
of work prepared by pupils from the Cam
den schools in all the grades, from the Cow
est primary to the High school. The teacl-
ing of nature lscombined with that Of draw
ing, as the children study flowers a great
deal They not onls draw the flowers, but
reproduce them with the brush. Some
specimens of work from the high school
were particularly fine.
Miss Emily f. Miller spoke in the interest
of the Woman's Christian Temperance I'm
ion. She believes that the teachers and the
I Mon should be more in touch with each
other, since the work is synonymous in
many ways, and she requested that dele
gate from the Teachers Association be
sent to the County Association of the " C.
L. L. to be held at Monroe in June In ae-
cordance with Miss Millers suggestion Miss
Juliet A. Wiggn of Belfast was chosen to
represent the Association at the W. e. T. L.
Convention.
Prof a. F. Richardson. Principal of Cas-
! tine Normal School, discussed the topic.
Essentials in Conducting Recitation. .
He believes that there should be bond of
sympathy between teacher and pupils, that
there should be natural tact on the part of
teachers and careful preparation by both
teache, andpupil. Pupls should be order
ly and quiet and taught to think for them
selves There cannot be too much drill on
! essentials, and stories and anecdotes are
valuable in holding attention as We'll as in
illustrating points of interest. Mr. Richard
sons galk was very pleasing and profitable
to all
Miss Nellie F. Harvey of Castine Normal
Schotl spoke Oh " Reading in the Common
Schools.' She believes that this branch of
study is dropped too early from the school
course. Since reading is thought- getting it
requires careful preparation She spoke of
the phonic system and the drill GA words
that tine .pupil's S vocabulary may be sufficient
to enable him to read with ease. Pupils
should be trained to use the Dictionary
teaching exercise in Botany was given
by Mrs. Sukeforth of Liberty
The question box was conducted by Hon.
w. W. Stetson, State Superintendent of
Schools The questions covered wide
| range of thought and were answered in Mr.
Stetson's usual happy manner.
business meeting followed and Officers
toG the ensuing year were elecEed as fol
lows: President, W. r. Howard, Belfast;
Vice President, A. n. Jewett, North Sears
mont; Secretary, Miss Bertha |. Bird, Bel
! fast; Treasurer, Miss Grace +. Walton, Bel
fast Executive Committee, Arthur Ritchie,
Liberty Miss Caroline W. Field, Belfast
Mrs. 4. NJ. Davis, Searsport.
1t was voted to hold the fall meeting at
Brooks, September 18th
The following resolutions We're unani-
mously adopted:
Whereas the present meeting of the Waldo
County Teachers Association has been un-
usually pleasant and profitable, Therefore,
be it resolved,
That the thanks of this Association be
rendered to the hospitable people of Liberty
for their cordiality and interest.
That we show due appreciation of Mr..
Ritchie's cordial welcome, of the music and
flowers which contributed so much, and for
the dainty and efficient service of the Young
ladies of Liberty High school.
That we acknowledge the faithful work