Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-02
Meetings Are Held
In Three Divisions.

Castine, Me, July 1.-(SpeciaD.-On
Tuesday afternoon, the Conference of
Superintendent. meeting here in its
fifth annual session, held its meetings
in three divisions. At the meeting Of
the superintendents of the larger
towns and cities Superintendent f.. L.
Palmer of Bar Harbor and Superin-
tendent Frank McGouldrick of Fort
Fairfield talked on the practical ex-
perienee with the eight grade system
and its adaptability to Maine. Mr..
Palmer showed that conditions in Bar
Harbor forced to attention the posi-
bilty of reducing the number of
grades from nine to eight. 1t was
decided to make this change and the
problem there was to be considered
how it might be effected so that no
pupil would bo retarded. A list was
made at the beginning of the spring
term by the teachers in each grade
of those pupils who in their judgment
We're best able in the remainder of
that year and the year following.
which comprised terms, to do two
years work in that time. These pupils
were to be given extra attention.
A the beginning of the spring term
in those buildings where there was
two teachers and two rooms for a
grade. one teacher was given % pupils
selected from the two grades of those
best able to try for double promotion.
The teachers were instructed in Grade
VII to try and work up at least 10. in
10 -,
as we went down the grade until we
reached Grade III where both divisions
were worked for the regular promotion
to Grade ~, which to them was
equivalent practically to double pro-
motion. The same was true with
Grades | and ii 50 at the beginning
of the fall term our Grade | rooms
were vacant Tor the incoming class
The theory on which this was based
was that starting with Grade VII.
each lower class would have one year
longer than the class ahead of it in
which to de the grammar school work
and so an increasing number of pu-
pits would be likley to make good
after receiving a double promotion
A committee of superintendent is
tens of this and other states and will
report to the Conference in 1914
Supt. H. II. Randall of Auburn told
how the disadvantage of rigid grad
ing might he reduced by frequent pro-
motion. A form of mid year promo
tons has been given a trial in the
Auburn schools during the past year.
In selecting and promoting the pupils
TO be advanced the teachers have
been governed by the following reg
ulations: First that no pupil bt
promoted without the approval of the
parents or guardian: second. that al!
promotions be made on trial; third.
that the pupils be normal physically
and in good health; fourth that he
be in advance of his grade in at least
two important subjects. The teach
ers were also cautioned in regard to
promoting pupils who are inclined to
work spasmodically or who would re-
quire outside tutoring in order to he
able to earn promotion or to d sat
isfaetrily the work of the next higher
grade.
In each room a part of the time
set aside for individual instruction,
especially a few weeks prior to max
ing the promotions the latter part of
January. has been devoted to pupils
to be advanced. Thirty three pupils
representing about ten per cent. of
the registration of the rooms in which
the scheme was put into effect. We're
promoted; of this number six were
repeating the work of their grades: 13
were above the average age and eight
were SO termed over age"
At the meeting of superintendent of
smaller towns Prin. W. c. Maliett OF
Pennington Normal school told of the
preparation of teachers for rural schools.
The Noon Intermission.
Mrs Bertha II. Burridge of the Wash
ington state Nomal school had a very
interesting talk on the "Noon Intermis-
sion in Country Schools"
Mrs Burridge in her talk spoke of the
Importance of the proper feeding OF
school children. and explained how the
problem is being solved in many large
cities both in our own country and
abroad. She then attempted to show how
it might be solved. at least in part. in our
rural communities by the cooperation of
mother and teacher.
In any community those who have
charge of the feeding of school children
either at home or in school have some
idea of the proper proportions of the va
RUS food elements needed to keep the
child in good mental and physical oondi-
ton.
simple and well proportioned lunch
for a child might consist of two simple
sandwiches tmeat, egg or cheese). one
sweet tplain cake, crisp cookies or sweet
chocolate). and fruit or vegetable.
which latter should never be omitted. As
a warm drink is desirable with a cold
lunch the teacher should prepare either
a hot soup. cocoa, or waited milk.
CAPITAL JOTTINGS.