The Somerset reporter., 1906-10-18
Somerset Educational
Association.

On Friday and Saturday of last week
the Somerset Educational Association
held at anaau one of the most success
full and enjoyable meetings in its history.
The perfect weather made the drive
to Canaan. the only way it could be
reached, delightful outing, and without
doubt increased the attendance at this
meeting. Teachers and uperintendents
were present from many towns, Pitts
field and Skowhegan sending the largest
delegations. The Skowhegan teachers
to the number of twenty five went over
in blackboard and private teams.
FRIDAYS SESSIONS.
The meeting was called to order by
Pres. y. Fl. Perkins at 1913 and after a
short address the program of the morn
ing as entered upon The first was a
class of four bright boys for teaching
exercise in Primary Reading conducted
by Miss ohelle Harris. This was very
much enjoyed by the audience and
later served as illustration material for
the discussion which followed.
This was followed by paper on Pri-
mary Reading by Miss Effie Laughton
and was discussed by Supts Rowell of
Canaan, Ball of Athens. Drake of Pitts
field, Drew of Fairfield and others.
The first thing after in emission was
the election of officers for the Associa-
ton and the following were elected.
President, Fl. K. Pratt, Fairfield; vice
president, E A, Parker, Skownegan
st cretary-treasurer Mrs. Lucy Burton,
Pittsfeld; executive committee, Charles
E. Ball, Athens, Frank l.. Rowell, a
naan, Mrs Fronia Traitor, Hartland
The opening paper of the afternoon
session was on Reading in the Common
Schools by Miss Vivian E. Laughton.
Miss Laughton took up in very pleas
ing manner some of the defects in meth
DDS of teaching this subject and gave
many suggestions for improvement.
This was followed by a very practical
paper on Reading in the Grammar
Grades by Miss Wayne Peavey. The
discussion was opened by Dr. McLaugh-
lin and was quite brisk for some little
time. many very interesting points being
made.
After a short intermission the ques-
ton box was opened and number of
queries regarding details of school work
were answered and enlarged upon by
State Supt W. W. Stetson. This was
followed by a paper, The Relation of
the Grammar school to the High School
by Miss Dorothy NJ. Elliott Miss Ell
lott took the view point of the high
school teacher and discussed the fit and
requirements of the high school pupil
from that point.
la the evening an audience which in
cluded besides the teachers good num-
Der of the citizees of the town enjoyed
the program prepared This was opened
by a piano selection by Miss Fay Foster
and followed by short addresses by
Sup. Stetson, who gave one of his en-
pertaining and suggestive talks on the
history of the State, the prominent men
it has furnished and the places of honor
and trust they are occupying. Supt K.
l.. Palmer of Dexter took up his subject
the Natural Child and some of the
things that are important in his training
and Supt. Frank II. Damon of Hampden
spoke on New Movements in Education.
SATURDAYS SESSION,
AS the attendance on Saturday morn
ing was not quite as large as on the pre-
vious day, the speaker announced the
meeting of the County School Supt.
Asso was merged with that of the
general association. The first paper,
the Kind of an Education, by Mrs. Fl. o..
Blaisdell of Palmyra, was discussed by
rupts Drake, Palmer, and others, this
was followed by an interesting paper on
local Geography and How to Teach it
by Mrs May Fl Emery of Athens
Supt. T. IL Damon set forth the Re-
lation of Superintendents to Teachers,
and Supt. L. Palmer discussed the
question: should there be a County Ex-
animation of all school teachers. The
closing paper of the session, the Grading
of Rural schools by Supt Ball of Ath-
ems, very fully explained what could be
done in this direction.
The president of the association, MIR.
Pratt, extended most cordial invita-
ton to the Association to hold its next
meeting In Fairfield which was warmly
seconded by Supt Drew.
The Superintendent present from the
various towns in the county met at the
close of the session and elected officers
as follows: Pres, D. w. Colby, Sko~he-
gan; vice president, r. L. Rowell, Ca
nsan; secretary, b, 81 Drew, Fairfield ;
and it was voted that the Association
hold it's next meeting in Fairfield in
connection with the Somerset Educa-
tional Association.