The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-11-01

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Virtually the convention began this
morning. however, at $3.50 O'Clock, as
att that hour the departmental presi-
dents called their meetings to order
and some programmes of an unusual
character were rendered before the
convention proper began. The de-
partments of rural education, indus
trial education, history and social
science and music were opened this
morning and their respective sessions
we're largely attended.
Rural Schools.
Mrs. Jean McNaughton Stevens Of
Towner, president Of the rural school
department, presided over an inter-
esting programme made even more so
by her sparkling little witticisms,
which did not fail to add to the var
ious points brought out in the differ
ent talks Mrs. Stevens opened the
programme in the rural school de-
partment with an excellent address N
Ethics In the Schools. in which the
distinguished North Dakota woman
educator appeared at her best. 1t
was a most helpful talk and one that
will assist the rural teachers greatly
In their work during the coming year.
Miss Minnie ]. Nelson OF Valley
City followed with an excellent talk On
The School as Social Center, which
was pronounced one of the best IN
the programme. The discussion was
led by w. L. Stockwell. former super
Intendent of public instruction.
A thirty minute address on The One
Thing Needed was the next on the
programme, delivered by Prof. Joseph
Kennedy of the state university.
one of the most interesting features
on the whole mornings programme
was the twenty minute exhibition Of
playground plans, demonstrated by
Mrs. Laura WEIGH Of Minot, super
visor OF penmanship and physical
training Of the public schools there.
Mrs. welch's demonstration included
some folk dances and singing games
for the little children In the elemen-
tary grades, which were given ex-
reliently and attracted much interest.
Thersessions OF this department were
held in the high school assembly room
which was crowded with spectators
during Mrs. Welcfl's number.
Singing Was Feature.
One of the surprises at the rural
school department was the singing.
This was furnished by a Cass county
rural school taught by Miss Lillian
Hanson located near Fargo. Their
singing was a revelation. They gave
two numbers which were applauded to
the echo. One was a version Of Bo-Peep
and the other was given In rube cos-
tune, and was a Jack-o-lantern song
which was particularly appropriate.
Their singing was not only sweet and
tuneful but the songs were enunciated
- distinctly that the hearers got every
ford. All the rurals will take home
the lesson about being busy.
The little folks who came to Fargo
to help out the big convention were
royalty entertained while here. The
street car company generously gave
them a free ride about the city, the
e1rpheum theatre gave them theatre
party free OF charge and Mr.. Riley en-
tartained them at dinner.
THE officials Of the rural department
have asked The Forum to express
their thanks for the splendid work
done by the eighth grade girls Of tht
Fargo city schools In demonstrating
the play ground work under Miss
Laura WEIGH. Although they had only
practised the work once-at O'Clock
this morning-they gave the work per
fectly and held the great audience