Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-03-14
THE TEACHING OF HISTORY
Theme for Annual Conference of
Vermont Schools and University.
Timely Addresses by PrOfs. James and
Emerson, Followed by Reception,
the Day Closing with the
scbooimastcrs' banquet.


SEPARATION Friday from able addresses
by Professor S. +. Emerson Of the Uni
versity of Vermont and Professor James
A. James OF Northwestern University
and from suggestive talks by other
speakers who discussed various phases of
| The Teaching of History which was
! the general topic of tho seventh annual
conference of the schools of Vermont
with the State university, held In the VIII
liams Science hall. After the intellectual
part Of the conference was finished, the
teachers and their friends gave them
selves UP to social enjoyment. meeting
President and Mrs. Guy Potter Benton
from five until six o'clock at an informal
reception in the presidents home, and
gathering again at the Van Ness House
at eight O'Clock last evening for the
schoolmasters' banquet Fully 100 teach
| ers and many visitors from this city and
elsewhere were in attendance at the con-
| ference.
Professor Emerson, as head of the his
tory department of the University of Yer
mont. is virtually the leader in historical
teaching in the Green Mountain State.
| Professor James Ia a brilliant young man
whose work in the same field OF instruc-
attracted wide attention in educational
circles throughout the United States.
Both of these authorities made a strong
plea yesterday for better instruction in
history for the pupils Of the lower grades
in the public schools, as well as in the
! secondary schools.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION.
The morning session opened at $3.50 with
the address by Professor James upon
Methods Of Historical instruction"
Tracing the development in methods of
teaching history. he discussed the work
of the Madison conference in 1898, and the
epoch aking results of the appointment
of the committee of seven by the Amer
lean Historical association in 1897. The
training of the teacher of history Is Of
great importance, said the speaker,
agreeing in this respect with Professor
| Emerson Professor James recommended
{; college university degree as a desir
able requirement, with the addition. II
possible. of the graduate work rep
resented by the masters degree.
The viewpoint of the teacher Of
history he emphasized as another i'm
portant factor. insisting that II should
be strictly impartial. The good that
Is to be found among the Tories or
revolutionary times should be given
due recognition said he we'll as the
mistakes that We're made by the men
striving to attain American liberty
The great work OF the Papacy should
be placed to its credit. as we'll the
good that grew out of the Reforma-
ton and also out of the Counter
Reformation. In the study of our own
country and our own day. proper at
tcntion should be given to the past
and present of the Far East. project
ing the foreground Of Asiatic life upon
the background of European civilian
ton
"Hithcrto we have emphasized the
militant heroic spirit of great lead
ers. We should teach the splendid
herosm of the pioneer and plainsman,
the real story of the past as exempli-
fled in the lives of the common peo-
pie. The story OF the development Of
the nation appeals most to boys and
girls as It is thus unfolded in the ro-
nance and reality of pioneer life. The
hero and heroine found in the common
walks Of life should thus find large
place in teaching history. The speak
cr cmphas sized also the value of Guilt
waiting tine spirit of tolerance and 40
recognize the fact that every force of
life makes for history"
IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
History in the Elementary schools"
was the subject treated by Benjamin
]. Sinclair of the Plattsburgh. y. Y.
normal school, who pointed out that
the individuality Of the teacher should
lao, tn "a m " q
Numerous practical suggestions were
offered from personal experience in
teaching history by Superintendent
George s Wright OF St Adams Su-
perintendent Harriet NJ. Ide of High
gate, Principal Frederick w. Reimherr
of the Waterbury high school Miss
Fannie r. Waterman of Bakersfield
and Homer f. Hunt of Fairfax
Following luncheon In the gymnasium
at 1890. the teachers gathered for the
afternoon session at 80 Professor
James spoke informally for a half-hour
upon the work of the committee Of
seven. and President Benton retired from
the chair In favor of Professor ], w.
Votey. who introduced Professor Finer
son.
| GOAL. OF TEACHING.
The Goal OF History Teaching was
Professor Emerson's topic. 1t is funda-
mentally essential, he declared. that
every child. even II compelled to leave
school at any early age, should have
an adequate grasp, not only of the pr1n-
cipal facts in history. but OF the gen
eral trend OF western civilization. To
some of the teachers present this idea
was novel and somewhat revolutionary