Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-30
Vermont Teachers Declare for
Advance Systems Of In
struction.
MORE NATURE AND MUSIC
Demanded in the Common Schools of
the State-Teanhers' Association In
Next Year-New Officers
School Masters Club.

Fellows Falls, oct. 26--The Vermont
State teachers assembled for the last
session of cort'tni on yesterday mo
ing. Devotional exercises were conducted
Iy the Rev. Albert Ilammatt and
chorus of school children sung under the
direction of the instructor, Miss Alice
jackson. At the business session, pre-
sided over by President Erskine, the
following State officers were elected:
President, Principal }. H. Stannard Of
Earton vice president Superintendent G..
~. Dempsey of st. Johnsbury, secretary,
Principal T.. q. Ham, Montpelier treas
urcr, w. u. Carson of Woodstock; eAecu-
tive committee, Principal n. j. Whitehill
ui White River Junction, W. a. Beebee of
Morrisville; w. r. Abbott of Proctor;
legislative committee, Superintendent o.
j.. Mathewson of Barre; Superintendent
II. X Whitaker of Brattloboro; Prin-
Cipal c. II. Morrill, of Bakersville
The committee on resolutions expressed
the general satisfaction of the teachers
OF Vermont for the strong and inspiring
addresses to which they had been treated,
also their gratitude to all who had con-
tributed to the success of the gathering;
to the school authorities and teachers of
Rockingham for painstaking care for
the pleasure of the guests: to DR.. and
Mrs Ellery and the faculty of Vermont
Academy for the pleasant reception and
hospitality shown: to the railroad com
panies for concessions made and to the
excellent exhibits of school work so at
traCtiVely arranged.
The following resolutions were present.
ed Resolved. That we note with gratiliCa-
ton the increased interest in the study of
scientific subjects and the disposition to
provide improved facilities for such study
and we hope that the general assembly
of the State may by future appropriation
make possible the continuance of the plan
of publishing circulars of information
pertaining to that and similar subjects.
| Resolved. That we observe with pleas
ure the evidence Of a more widespread
interest in musical instruction in public
schools and an application Of the educa-
tional value of such instruction and we
desire to express the hope that courses
of study in rural as well as in village
and city schools may generally include
systematic instruction in vocal music.
Resolved, That we recognize with great
satisfaction the growing sentiment among
the educators and people at large in our
State in favor Of a system of competent
supervision for rural schools and that a
! movement in this direction is one of our
present greatest needs and we pledge our
| influence rs teachers toward securing the
passage in Vermont of such laws in re-
gard to rural supervision as are proving
| so beneficial In Massachusetts and other
sister States.
After the adjournment of the business
meeting President Erskine presented Miss
Caroline Z. Wing of Manchester n. H.,
| who told of her success in teaching the
| Ward method In reading. Superintendent
/. A. Carroll of Worcester Mass. was
the last speaker introduced. changes in
| the school curriculum" was the subject
TO which Superintendent Carroll invited
attention. This was so much in line with
prevailing sentiment indeed the key note
| of the convention has been the change
'lore or less radical which seems to be
1t hand, that it made a fitting close to
an unusually successful and helpful con-
vention.
Mr.. Carroll said in part: Old ideals all
have an element OF excellence. The cur
riculum of the old red school house which
many regard as 80 largely instrumental
in the founding Of the nation is only in
cidental and has no more to do with 1t
! han the thorough home training of those
early days. Reorganization of Industries
has divided into district classes: Stock
/ holders, operators and laborers.a as a conse-
quence children have little to attempt in
the way Of enterprise They are of diff
ferent caliber than our ancestors being
weaker in body and become discouraged
at the situation. The new function of the
school should be to restore muscular dew
leopment through athletics and natural
methods. to unite the school and home, to
improve social conditions and to make
American citizens from these diverse ele-
ments.
Some of the changes needed are to teach
reading, mathematics and mechanical arts
much more thoroughly. Nature study
kand industrial work should take a liberal
per cent. of time through all grades. Col
lege presidents and leading thinkers are
much interested in this change and are
giving it special attention. Teachers and
superintendents are apt to be very con-
servative hen they should be important
factors in this change and unless we keep
in touch with the literature and though,
OF the day We are likely to be behind the
times and follow RI Their than lead.
An invitation to hold the convention OF
1903 at st. Johnsbury was read and refer
red to the executive committee.
The schoolmasters' club met and elect
cd the following officers President Prin-
opal NJ. w. Dunning, Bellows Falls vice
resident, Principal II. Dressed. Jr
Springfield; secretary and treasurer Prin-
op1l "A. II, Botsford, Bristol executive
committee, Principal j. l. Ager johnson
Principal C Fl. Morrill,. Bakersfield, Prin.
cipal w. p. Abbott. Proctor.
An interesting feature Of the convention
has been the large and varied exhibit OF
school work shown in the lower rooms OF
the high school building. The WORK
ranges from the first and second grade.
10 that done in the normal training
schools at Johnson, Castleton and Ran,
doph. 1t has been very effectively ar
ranged and is revelation to one not
familiar with the work our schools ar,
doing.