Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-31
Opening Day of
Summer School.

In the absence of President Roberts of
Colby College. who is to give lectures on
the subject of Education" the period
assigned for that subject Tuesday was
taken by Miss Harriet Abbott. of the
Fairfield public schools. instructor in ma
tnre study at the Summer school Miss
Abbott Is splendidly equipped for the
treatment of nature study subjects, hav-
ing made a careful study of the birds
and flowers of Maine for many years.
She has had experience in summer school
work before and knows just how to go
about the treatment of the whole field of
study Practically all the teachers en-
rolled were present at Miss Abbotts
lecture hour and extensive notes were
taken by them. So great was the inter-
est aroused that at the afternoon con-
ference hour great number of the
teachers assembled in the Y. NJ. c. y.
room. Champlin Hall, TO ask questions
and TO see Miss Abbott's collection of
mounted birds and butterflies.
The lecture In drawing. given by Miss
Sara D. Lang, supervisor of drawing in
the Waterville schools. was also well at
tended, some 70 or more of the teachers
being present. Miss Lang went about
the work very much as she would do in
a primary school, making suggestions of
benefit TO teachers in their appreciation
of the work of the little tots. After de-
voting half hour to general suggestions
to teachers, she took up the balance of
the period in criticism of the drawings of
flowers made by the teachers. On
Wednesday. the drawing lesson was held
in Memorial Hall which had been fitted
up with large tables conveniently ar
ranged for a class of 125 students,
Miss Elizabeth Koontz met the class in
expression for the first time, Tuesday
morning. She explained to the teachers
that she was there to see how we'll the
teachers could read, not to tell them now
to do il. 1t was further suggested that
all the year through the teachers were
recurring good work in reading or ex-
preston of the pupils under their charge
and now it was but fair that the teachers
should show what they could do. This
statement and plan of her class room
work took the teachers little unaware
for they had supposed that they were
simply TO take notes. At first. very few
could be encouraged to stand up before
the big class which completely filled
Room in Chemical hall and say with
out fear of contradiction that their
souls were their own" but after a time
one of the Watervilie teachers not only
stood up before the class but at Miss
Koontz suggestion. took the platform
and spoke a fine little piece. After that
it was easier. Supt. Morrill,. of the Clin-
ton schools, who was a visitor to the
class, was unexpectedly called upon but
he successfully passed the ordeal. Be-
fore the hour was over, the plan laid out
by the Boston teacher was in good work.
ing order Tomorrow said Miss
KoontZ. II don't TO see this hesitation
from you teachers. I want you to come
prepared to say something. Come, all of
you ready to talk all at once" 1t is
likely that the . o'clock period will be
an interesting one on Wednesday. Splen-
did possibilities are open to the teachers
taking this course. for Miss Koontz is a
skillfuI teacher and one who will bring
about results.
The class in penmanshp was likewise
large one. Miss Alexander, of the
Bangor schools. Is teaching a good bnsi-
ness hand writing TO the teachers. one
without fonrishes and not patterned af-
ter the vertical style. The vertical