The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-03-25

progress: that in the meetings Of
these associations each teacher can
see what the others are doing. and
thus derive new and better methods
for his own school, and in turn con-
tribute some new thought or idea
that will help to improve the meth
DDS in other schools, and that these
interchange Of ideas can only result
in great and lasting good.
Prof. Brooks said that better than
all pedagogy, better than all science,
is a good common sense study OF
child life. He said that there are
three natural tendencies in all child
life, one being to make d living,
the other to associate, and the third
10 build some hing -reater than he
himself has had. He said that it
should be the purpose of the teach
ers to so organize their schools as
10 give free sway TO, and to encour-
aye these tendencies, that the teacher
must reach down and touch the soul
ii the child, and make 1t quicken up
and live.
Prof. Brooks is an interesting talk
err, and his highly entertaining and
instructive address was a source Of
pleasure and benefit to all who heard
him.
The next thing on the program
was the paper by Mrs. D. A. White,
How l Have Increased the Atten-
dance of my School," She said that
she had read the school laws Of North
Carolina, and had noticed that much
stress was laid upon attendance, and
she, realizing the Importance of good
and prompt attendance, had made
efforts to secure it, in the following
various ways: By giving entertain
nents to the children, and endeavor-
ing to bring the pupils, patrons and
teacher together as often as possible;
oy celebrating the BIRTHDAYS of such
nel as Washington and Lee; by
eading some interesting story TO the
| ct;Id.en Oh RAINY days. or giving
ZEN some pleasant exercise to take,
| D g,lviug them some interest aroun"
| ne school to which TO attend. such
L, Il COZ on crop To tend, or the like;
ana by giving them books, maya
| ines ami papers to read, and by
uuusing their interest in many other
Ways 50 as To get them to love TO
me to school. She said that in
ais way her attendance had been
4ppreciabiy increased.
AT the conclusion Of the reading
Of this interesting and instructive
PAPER, the meeting took short re-
cess, so that the teachers and visitors
might partake Of the delightful
lunch that Prof. Wilson had prepar-
ed.
rotary, Miss Minnie K. Dunn, read
the minutes Of the preceding meet
lngs, and stated that there was about
$40 90 in the treasury. After which
a resolution of appreciation Offered
by Mr.. Whitaker, for the good anC
efficient work done by County Super
intendent, DR.. A. S. Harrison, was
read and adopted. Then followed {
oaper on School Punishment" BY
Miss Minnie K. Dunn, of the Enfield
Graded Schools. She gave a defini
ton of punishment, named the diff
ferent modes Of punishment, an6
stated that the mode Of punishment
was of very great Importance. Sht
said that the teacher must establish
her authority in the school-room, ant
should be careful never to make an,
idle threats; that the rod should no
be resorted to on every occasion, ant
should only be used as last resort
She showed how it is best that tn
teacher should appeal to the highe
motives and finer feelings of tn
pupil, realizing that the minimum o
punishment is the maximum of ex
cellence.
) The next paper read was one by Mis-
Annie Fenner, of the Roanoke Rapid
: Graded School, How to Teach Writ
: ing" She said that in teaching
writing legibility and beauty ar
the two important considerations
2 and to become able to write legibl
and beautifully, early training j
necessary, owing to the fact that a
: one grows older his bones becom
! more hardened. She then explaine
5 the very interesting and origins
BIO 90