The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-01-31
ACUTE SHORTAGE.
Continued from LIST Page)

ton of problems in order that they might
conform as nearly as possible to the
problems met in every day life, and that
the teacher deal with the individual diff
ficuties and defects. To this end it
was suggested that there be a due amount
of drill but that the drill be modified to
meet individual needs.
The conference for grades to was
held in the main room and was in charge
of Miss Helen NJ. Stone of Bellows Falls.
An address, Socialized Recitation, was
given by Miss Ella Downey of the West
field Mass normal school, who said
that it was now coming to be recognized
that the competitive spirit was not to be
developed; that the individual has been
too pronounced Social service and de-
mocracy should be taught; the founda-
ton of society must have the spirit to
see a greater development of social life,
and it must be the aim of the teacher to
make the child socially proficient As
the social life has undergone great
change so must the child life. 1t is more
essential than ever that the children be
taught social duty, self reliance, service,
to think Independently, to be willing
to work as unit of the class or social
body. The recitation must become a SO
cial meeting place like talks at home, ex
cept more organized to get certain re-
suits. In such recitations one child would
recite on a topic and Others ask ques-
tions, making additions, corrections of
English and statements, and the teacher
would keep in the background and direct
rather than take any noticeable part.
Such a system teaches real thinking,
forming of opinions and recognizing the
views of others. Suggestions were made
by Miss Downey as to how such a plan
could be applied to the study of history
civics, etc. Schools must come to repre-
sent more than they have in the past
They must be a training for citizenship
1t is not a dream of the theorist, but a
practical reality. Following the talk a
demonstration was given in socialized
recitation in history by pupils of grade
8 under the direction of Miss Sadie +
Winchester.
Secondary Detectives was the subject
of a talk by DIR. A. r. Brubacker, presi,
dent of the New York State College fol
Teachers, in the conference for secondary
schools, of which Principal Julius f. War
been teacher, principal and a superin
tendent before becoming president of tn,
college, said there had been many changes
IN secondary education. One change came
he said, in 1904, after German commits
sion sent here to investigate American in
dustrial conditions reported that industri
ally there was no cause for Germany t,
fear anything from America for from 81
TO 100 years. He said that when that re
port reached the United States efforts to
ward vocational training were begun Th
schools, he said, must prepare for life
industry and commerce, and the mai
question is What is preparation TO
life!' The leaders of the future, he de
clared, are trained in the high schoC
and not N college, generally speaking
The speaker explained the idea of tn
junior college and its relation to the hig
school, also the purpose of the juniC
high school, and discussed at some lengt
what the aims should be in the hip
school teachings. A great objective
teaching English, DIR. Brubacker declare,
should be to use the English language t
tell the truth. The question of compos
lions was discussed by the speaker, WI
said much time was wasted in compos
tions; that the purpose Of them was
facilitate the desire for expression. T
said that children should be urged
read and reread. That every teach
should teach English in class was OF
important suggestion made by him. Mo
stress should be laid on history, econor
les, llterature-fOreign as well as Amer
can,-he said, and instead of II differel
courses there should be one or two We,
carefully thought out practical course
In the afternoon Commissioner Hill
gas gave very interesting explain
tion of Vermont S retirement fund DC
icy, tracing its history from the gat
ering of data about teachers salari
IN 1915 through its recommended,
IN 1918 in report which represent
year IS work by an expert actua
and was the last word in secure n
desirable pension principles, to its ;
ceptance by the senate and house vi
but one dissenting voice He said til
in its passage the legislature paid
great tribute to the teachers of
state, for no sum as great ever "
spent more gladly. BY this policy tcat
ers may invest annually five per cent
their salary sure that the state v
add an equal amount and that four
cent interest will be compounded SCI
annually on the larger sum. No inve
ment is as safe as the state itself. I
money will be paid only to the teacl
or his legal heirs. If he wishes to Wi
draw within six years of his joining.
may take the money he has investt
after six years, he may take the nor
invested plus the equal sum given