Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-03
KENNEbEC COUNTY TEACHERS AT
WATERv|LLE IN 0vERWHEL MING
NUMBERS FOR FALL MEETING


the first place we can wage an I'M
relenting warfare against loose mean
ings and general phraseolOgy.
There is a second specific some
thing that we can do. Every teacher
of English frequently reads themes In
which she can detect the place where
the pupils has hesitated TO use the
proper word. His actual selection
may be exactly wrong, because his
stock of words is scanty. This Is the
teachers opportunity. Confer with
that pupil about that Particular
problem. Insist that he make COM
parison and contrast-in other words
that he think. For selection result
inc from comparison is true think
ing
A third specific thing we can do Is
to change our teaching emphasis.
Year after year we insist on avoiding
error instead Of attaining power. l
wonder how general is the tragedy of
the pupil with something to say and
with mental eagcrness to say it be-
coming so conscious of minor errors
in substance and form that the en-
ergy which should go into construc-
tive thinking is diverted into anxiety
not to make mistakes. A purely
negative ideal is not the best ideal.
The teaching of English must not be
reduced to mere technique for de-
tecting and designating mistakes.
But the fellow teacher who really
desires to cooperate in this import
ant task raises the practical ques-
ton: "Now specifically what can I
do?" In the first place each teacher
in the school can. in the case of writ
ten work, require legibility accuracy
of form and uniform endorsement.
Secondly, the English teacher can
frequently use materials offered by
other departments. Translation from
French or Latin offers a rich field.
Not a day goes by when the history
lesson does not present difficulties.
Even algebra and geometry have
their place in the English class.
once principals and teachers alike
become alive to the need of correla-
ton of this sort. opportunities will
suggest themselves. Occasional read
ing of papers from other depart
ments by the English teachers, cor
related work in So-called outside
reading, English rank for the Eng
! lish used in other departments
, these are offered as more hints with
out elaboration.
No better medium for this correla-
| ton can be found than in the school
| library. Even where it is small, its
! intelligently directed use in all de
partments will help much in this
! battle for selective thinking. When
| the pupil learns that the library is
| not a museum, but a workshop and
| the librarian not a custodian but
| distributor of books. he will have
| open to him a treasury of informa-
ton and inspiration that lies in the
recorded words Of mon.
After all eternal vigilance is the
I ,sin I,-n w
nothing for granted. We must teach
pupils, not books, be concerned with
! minds not marks.
The way out of all our difficulties
! lies along a straight but tedious path.
| Amidst all detail and all perplcNitics
we must see ahead one clear beacon
! light. the goal of our united endeav-
ors, the light of language rs a tool of
thought. the handmade of construc-
! tive thinking
| The Business Meeting
! Following the dinner served at the
/ Getchcll street church the members
again assembled in the high school
! auditorium for the business sessino.
, The following officers were elected
| for the coming year: President,
Principal G. f.. Taylor Of GARDENERS;
vice president, Miss Ella Pillsbury of
Lawrence High school, Fairfield;
! II.
! Hodgkins of Augusta; executive
committee, Supt John Tapley of
Oakland; Grace l.. Mitchell of Wa
tcrville and O. W. Bigelow of Halo
vel; delegate to the National Edu-
! cational Association convention, +.
w. Burrll of Augusta; alternate, l..
! w. Gcrrish of Gardiner.
/ The following resolutions were
! adopted:
| /. Be it resolved that we, the
members of the Kenncbcc County
! Teachers association in convention
assembled, do hereby express our APP
| probation to the citizens of Water
Vile for their hospitality and espec-
tally for the use of their fine new
Junior High school building.
>. Be it furthermore resolved that
we hereby extend our thanks to the
members of the State Department
staff, the superintendent of schools,
school officers and teachers of Wa
terville for the part that they have
! taken in planning and carrying out
/ the days program and entertain
+ ment.
3. Be it also resolved that we
| hereby voice our gratitude to the
speakers for their messages of hope
and inspiration.
/ 4. Be it again resolved that we
! heartily commend those who have
made the musical program a success.
;. Be it finally resolved that we
( hereby thank the officers of the con-
! vention for the able manner in which
: the business has been carried out.
For the convention.
/ DEANE 5. PEACOCK,
CARL b. LORD.
lSA J.. JACKSON.
Committee on resolutions.
! DR.. Dallas Lore Sharpe