Loading...
The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1936-10-29, Page 6THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, .1936 THE EXETER TJMES-ADVOCATE West Huron Teachers* Convention About 135 teachers attended the West Huron Teachers* convention at Victoria School, Goderich, on Thurs­ day and Friday of last week, when they were addiessed by a number of prominent authorities and held in­ formative open discussions on sub­ jects of interest to them. The convention opened with the singing of "0 Canada” and the de­ votional exercises were conducted by Rev. D. J. Lane. His Worship, Mayor H. J. A. McEwan, in welcom­ ing the teachers to Goderich recall­ ed the days in which he went to school and emphasized the advan­ tages and advances of present day teaching. His Worship termed the teaching profession a noble one and added that besides moulding the character of the pupil, the teacher is moulding his or her own charac­ ter. Miss I. Kirk, president of the con­ vention, outlined the work carried •<n by teachers attending summer school. She spoke of the many benefits derived from these courses and was a strong advocate of the work. A discussion of the new speller was carried on by Mr. E. C. Beacom, the discussion being lead by Mr. Ed­ ward McLeod of Clinton, Miss Olive O’Brien of Zurich, and Miss G. Sturdy of Goderich. Mr, Beacom ex­ plained many of the difficulties en­ countered by the teachers and gave out much useful advice. He thought it advisable to have written spelling tests every day. The discussion was followed by a vocal solo by Miss Es­ ther Hume. Intermediate Schools Mr. Clarence Trott, teacher from Bayfiejd, described the working principles and the reasons for In­ termediate Schools for Ontario. These schools, he said, have been tried out with some success in Great Britain, the United States and Bri- ish Columbia. The speaker declared the system of education in Ontario today to be very faulty and expressed the opinion that the intermediate schools would remedy these faults to a marked degree. He outlined the three periods in a child’s life, describing them as the pre-adolescent period, the adolescent period and the post-adolescent period. The first named is that per­ iod which takes the pupil to the end cf the third class at public school.. The next is the time from fourth class until about second form in the High School. The post-adolescent period is from that time on. At pres­ ent the division in a child’s life is being made at the end of the fourth year at public school'. This is the un­ natural time. An intermediate school would take care of the pupils •from their fourth year through to second form high school work. In the intermediate school would take care of the pupils from their fourth year through to second form high school work. In the intermediate sehocds, Mr. Trott continued, vocational work would be taught along with the re­ gular academic sudies. This training would be o’f great benefit since al­ most half of the pupils attending school today leave at the end of their second year at high school or at the end of fifth year work, at public school. At public school the pupil is bab­ ied and is only required to do work set before him, the speaker pointed out. When they reach high school they have a different teacher for different subjects, while at public school they have the same teacher for everything. The change is too, gr-eat and to put it in modern lang­ uage, “they can’t take it.” Would Eliminate Overcrowding At present, under the two-course system the schools are over-crowded An intermediate school would be in the centre of a rural community and would eliminate this overcrwding. ’The residents of the community would be supporting the school in the same way as they are supporting public and high schools and the ex­ pense would not be great. There would, of necessity, be certain ap­ pliances required for the vocational work but these could not be com­ pared with the expense connected with a high school. One of the greatest drawbacks in secondary schools is that the parents want their children with them in their early years. This would be possible in an intermediate school since it would be situated in the centre of a municipality. These schools would receive the ordinary Legislative grants, said Mr. Trott. “Teachers cannot, at present, spend the proper amount of time on fifth •class pupils. Their pupils should be leaving them at the end of the third class. The system of inter­ mediate schools is a tried one and it has worked out to be much better than our own.” The report of the librarian show­ ed that seventeen new books and a new bookcase have been added to the supply for an Inspectorate. There was a slight decrease in the number of books taimen out for this year. Dr. J. Boyce, of Forest Hill, de­ livered a splendid address at the af­ ternoon session, her subject being “Automatic Membership.^ The sub­ ject pretained to the Public School Teachers’ Federation. The speaker was of the opinion that the teaching profession dees not receive the rec­ ognition that it should receive. Comparing the work of a secondary school teacher with that of a public schcel teacher, she said, the work of the latter is just as important and requires just $s much effort and hiain-power as that of the high school teacher. Miss Boyce felt that the need for an automatic member­ ship to the school teachers’ federa- ti.n was great. The department e< uld reserve from the teachers’ sal­ ary the amount of the membership fee for the Federation. The teachers in rural schools have to have back­ ing and they should have the teach­ ers throughout the whole province behind them, Mrs. Frank Saunders, accompan­ ied by Mr. H. Livens, sang two de­ lightful solos. Entrance Examinations Mr. Beacom spoke on the matter of recommendations of teachers for pupils about to try their entrance examinations. He said that the department are now asking that a teacher have only one year’s suc­ cessful teaching experience to re­ commend candidates for High School Entrance examinations instead of . two years’ experience as was pre­ viously demanded. The recommenda- Ition of the teachers are passed by J the Entrance Examination Board, thus the bonus of responsibility is lifted from the teacher. The Inspector said that for the past two years, some 40 per cent, of the Entrance pupils passed without trying their examinations. He be­ lieved that an attempt would be made this year to have an even greater percentage for next June. “There is no definite percentage set by the Board for this exemption but it is usually taken at about 6S or 70.” He explained that the en­ trance results for this year were I highly satisfactory, 90 per cent, of the pupils trying exams this year i having passed. This is the highest number in some years. This mark was not exceeded anywhere in the province, Mr. Beacom said. Religious Instruction Mr. Beacom said he was glad of the reference made by Mr. Lane to tire fact that religious instruction could be and should be part of the school training. He declared that it was taught in Goderich last year but not in a number of other schools.in the inspectorate. The teachers are free to invite the clergymen of the community to come in and give re­ ligious instruction, perhaps once a week, he stated. I would also like to see music inaugurated as part of the work, he said, and spoke of several schools in the southern part of the county where music was being taught by qualified teachers. There is a grant of half the cost of teaching music of­ fered by the government and there is also a salary grant of $25, so that the school only bears about a quar­ ter of the cost of the instruction, “Correspondence courses are con­ ducted by the Department of Educa­ tion for any child of school age w’ho is unable to attend school. A doctor's certificate will allow the enrollment of the pupil. Mr. Beacom spoke of the rurral training classes that have been es­ tablished in the last few years for pupils who are unable to make pro­ gress at school. Unfortunately there are no auxiliary classes in the coun­ try. Speaking on the matter of grants, the Inspector informed the convention that all grants for the teaching of special subjects and for the teaching of agriculture have been withdrawn from teachers not having their certificate in the sub­ jects. This is an inducement for the teachers to gain these certificates. Teaching of Arithmetic Regarding the address of Dr. Boyle, who felt that there should be little formal arithmetic taught in the child’s first year at school. In­ spector Beacom said that he did not believe in too much arithmetic to keep the pupils busy. He was in favor of long involved mechanical questions but rather felt that short­ er ones and more of them would prove of more benefit to the children He did not think long division should be taught in second book and that addition might be finished up in third book. He urged the teachers to give the proper stress to mental arithmetic and told them to have their questions deal more with every day life. Mrs. Albert Taylor, president of the Home and School Club Council, told of the accomplishments of the local Home and School Club and pressed the teachers to try to have the clubs in their respective dis­ tricts buy things for the school that the board will not or cannot afford to buy. Numbers of matters that were helped tremendously by the hard work and generosity of the 'Club were mentioned by Mrs. Tay­ lor. -She invited the teachers to re­ main at the school and enjoy the af­ ternoon tea that had been prepared by the ladies of Central and Victoria Home and School Clubs, Friday’s Session The session was opened by Rev. A. C. Calder and the devotional ex­ ercises were followed by an address by Dr, Liddy, Professor of Physchol- ogy at Western University, London, who spoke on the subject, “Adapting the School to the Child.” Dr. Liddy pointed out the importance of mak­ ing school a place of interest, a place of ever-changing ideas for the child. He felt that the make-up of the child should be studied and that each should be trained along indiv­ idual lines as much as possible. A lesson in Literature, taken with a lour th class by Joseph Creech, of Exeter, proved interesting to his fel­ low teachers. The teacher demon­ strated an approved method of teaching the subject, bringing each child in the class into the work so that all were taknig an active part in it. Masters Bobert Bisset and Donald Vickers favored the convention with two delightful violin solos. Miss E. MacDonald accompanying at the piano. A' discussion of Third Book Read­ ers, led by Miss Mabel McGougan, of Woodham; Miss Hazel Smillie, of Exeter, and Miss Gladys McDowell, •ol Goderich, brought fourth a vol­ ley of questions for Mr. Beacom to answer. Numbers of points of in­ terest to the teachers were divulged in the discussion. At the afternoon session Mr. Stonehouse, secretary-treasurer of the convention, announced that the registration this year was the larg­ est since 1930. The convention was thrown into an uproar of applause, teachers wav­ ing their arms and loudly voicing their approval when the resolutions committee brought in a recommen­ dation that the minimum salary for public school teachers be set at $800 The resolution received the unani­ mous support of the .convention. Officers Elected The following officers were elect­ ed for the coming year: Hon. Pres. Mr. W. H. Johnston, of Exeter. Mr. Johnston has always taken a very active interest in the Convention of West Huron and has done a great deal towards making it a success. At the time of his being appointed to he position of Hon. Pres., he was gravely ill at his home. Miss Shar- man wag the mover of the appoint­ ment and Mr. H. M, Shackleton the seconder, Mr. Johnston is the first one ever to hold the office. The other officers are: Pres., Mr. Jos. Creech, Exeter; Vice-Pres., Miss P. Penfold, of Kippen; Sec’y Treas,, Mr. R. Stonehouse; Councillors, Miss Hazel iSmillie, Exeter Miss Lettie •Love, Hensail; Mr. Chas. Pearce, of Exeter; Librarian, Mr. W. K. Thom­ son; Resolutions committee, Miss P. Love, Exeter; Miss Ella Morlock, Crediton; Mrs. L. Thorneloe; Mr. William Ferguson, Bayfield; Mr. M. Hammond, Kirkton; Miss G. Pepper Dashwood; Mr. E. C. Beacom, God­ erich; Auditors, Messrs. J. Salkeld and D. Anderson; delegate to O.E.A. Miss P. Penfold. A letter of appreciation and hope­ fulness for a speedy recovery was directed to be sent to Mr. Johnston, the new honorary-president. Mr. Rod. Finlayson gave a color­ ful and informative report of the O.E.A. Convention at Toronto last summer. Mr. Finlayson was local delegate to the convention and he was a strong advocate of the bene­ fits derived from attendance there. The report which was of interest mainly to teachers was listened to attentively and a vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Finlayson for the information which he brought back. Music in the Schools Mr. Beacom, introducing Mr. G. Roy Fenwick, Provincial Supervisor of Music of Ontario, explained that Mr. Fenwick is supervisor over both public and secondary schools. Mr. Beacom said there was not as much music being taught in the schools as he would like to have, but a few more w.ere to have the instruction this year. Mr. Fenwick was pleased to learn that more schools were taking up the teaching of music. He has found this to be the case throughout the province. In an interesting ad­ dress, interspersed with savory bits of humor, he explained the fine points of teaching music and the reason that the Department is so gieatly interested in the study: “We can’t ignore music,” the speaker de­ clared. We meet it on every occasion where we come together in a social way, Every person responds to mu­ sic in some way and to those who really understand it, music has a very deep religious power. To under­ stand music requires many years .of consistent association with it. “Education is more than a pre­ paration for life. It is part of life it­ self. It is worth putting music on the curriculum for the beneficial effect it has on children while they’ are at school. It is possible, be­ cause of radio, that more and more of the professional music will be played by fewer and fewer artists and therefore it is not wise to lay any particular stress upon this phase of the study. We know that music improves the speech,” said Mr, Fen­ wick. Attention to music demands proper enunciation of vowels, it gives poise and it is a fine recreation between other subjects.” The speak­ er pointed out that the people of On­ tario are not especially good speak­ ers, “Singing brings good health and corrects breathing. The true value of music lies in its power to train the emotions. It is uset as a means of self-expression to transport the being to another realm of life. We are sometimes prone to train the intellect and to neglect the emo­ tions. Many wrongs are committed because people cannot control their emotions.” Should Have Musical Training Mr. Fenwick urged that, since the children would learn the wrong kind of music if they were not trained, that they be taught the proper kind 1937 registration plates commemorate Coronation Year with crowns and white figures on red back­ ground. Each plate carries only one series letter. of music.of music, in t T sentiaily a sociulPw..-^ there are many childfe promising talent may whose parents are unable to' . child the proper training, ' “Music, we hope, will some day''.?: a compulsory subject in schools, It is not here yet, hut it is not far dis- ant. The trouble is that there are not enough sufficiently well-trained teachers. The idea is, to awaken and develop a love and appreciation of good music. It is what music does for the child that counts. We must play into the children’s hands. They are much more interested in what they do themselves than in what someone else does.” However, the speaker laid stress on the point that music cannot be taught in the schools with one lesson a week any more than any other subject. “People who say they /are not, musical have not had training enough or early enough to k-n-< $ whether they are or not. It is nat­ ural for people to be able to appre­ ciate music. Teachers can help a great deal by their attitude and by encouraging the pupils to sing. Mu­ sic has a power to elevate and it also has a power to degrade. A quiet, cultured form of singing is desirable The teacher should not sing with the pupils. She should sing for them and then listen while they sing, ♦otherwise there will be a tendency to let the teacher do the work,” Mr. Fenwick said in conclusion. Miss Helen Lane sang two solos in fine voice. She was accompanied, by Mr, Raymond Player. (Continued on next page) Use Fjor His Talent Brown; “Robinson has got a job at last. He’s working at Smith’s livery stables.” Jones: “What’s he doing there?” “Smith has some horses that won’t take a bit, so Robinson has to talk to them till they yawn!” 1937 MOTOR VEHICLE PERMITS AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 2nd #A ber 2nd save th tion. k the Permit [^UE to the advance in the new car purchasing seasonj and the fact that" increasingly large numbers of use' cars and trucks are now purchased at this time of ye^p! 1937 Motor Vehicle Permits and Operators’ Licenses being made available November %nd 1937 Permits available Nove chaser of a new car or truck the expanse of 19 3 6 regi They save the purchaser of fee for transferring the 1936 registration (193 can be procured without transfer|fee). This advance sale of 1937 MoS)r Vehicle JBrmits and Operators’ Licenses is for your con^nience tage of it. There are one hundre^convejfntly issuing offices throughout the Proving will quick, efficient service at the one nearly ake advan- located receive MINISTER OF HIGHWAYS PROVINCE OF ONTARIO