Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1854-10-28
For the Brad ford Reporter.
Teachers Association.

Several objects are TO be attained by the occa-
siona meetings of the teachers Off town, or coun-
ly, few OF which propose 10 point out in this
communication.
One, and perhaps the fist in importance, is TO be-
come acquainted with each other. Not TO form
speaking acquaintance, so az merely recognize
each other when they meet bu, 10 kno1o one anolh-
er in their feelings and plans in educational mat.
ers--to undersan The views upon all subjects
connected with school matters. Such an acquain
lance, will entirely dispel that spirit of jealousy and
dslrust, that has hitherto prevailed
Al the meetings OF these associations, the differ
erent methods of teaching the various branches
are discussed. The different plans for arranging,
classifying and governing schoos,are talked about.
The duties responsibilities, trials troubles and pre-
plexities Of the teacher, are made topics of conver
saiion. The numerous tex, books are criticized;
in short, every subject that can interest those en-
gagged in the great work of educating the youth Of
the counhy-is brought before the meetings. Up
on these various topics, teachers and friends OF ed
ucaton ofexperience, give their views and expe.
rience, those less experienced learn their plans,
and The methods Of imparting instruction, by which
they have gained reputation as teachers. Take
for instance, the best method, or raher The vari-
Gus methods of teaching grammar, for topic of
discussion. There almost many modes Of
teaching as there are teachers-all cannot be equal
ly successful. 1t is true, that no one way will be
the best for every teacher under all circumstances
still, there are some methods OF teaching This inn
porranl branch, which will always be more success
ful than others. Now il is important for the teach
10 know what hose methods of communicating
instructions are. How scholars can be made TO
love 10 study that which has been considered so very
dry and dull; how they can rapidly acquire a cor
rect and critical knowledge OF their own language
Young persons, VINO have never taught, but who
intend 10 lake upon themselves The duties of The
teacher, would gain very much in their teaching
life, if they could know, when they commence,
how others have been successful in teaching gram
mar. Let this mailer be discussed at a meeting
where The teachers of the county are collected; lei
the experienced give their views and plans-each
one, of course, differing in some of their details
from any other. From these statements when full
iy presented and rigidly criticized the nexperienc
ed will be enabled 10 adopt plan for themselves,
by which they can teach grammar more successful
ly, than if they had spent one or Two terms in Try
ing experiments.
Again, those who may have very good methods
OF teaching, will be likely to find, by hearing the
plans of others, that theirs can be modl fed and
improved, by adopting part OF others. What is
true oi teaching English Grammar, is equally true
with the regard TO each OF the other sciences The
alphabet, the corner stone OF all our education is
taught 10 little children in much less time by some
teachers than by others In some schools the small
scholars, II they have not been taught the alphabet
al home-as all children should be-wi be kept
drilling al their letters three monlhs while in 9TH
ers, all The letters would be Taught 10 The same
scholar, in as many weeks. This is not because
The first teachers are not as anxious as the last 10
have their pupils Go well, and learn rapidly, but
because one has hit upon better method of teach
ing the letters than The olher-boh are doing the
very best they can-but one knows how 10 DO be-.
Ter than the other
Now If SO much lime can be gained, BY some
teachers, in teaching the first principles OF all SCI
ence, is ii moi worth while 10 take some measures
10 save it, lfby getting together occasionally, and
comparing notes, and exchanging sentiments upon
this department alone, all could adopl some expe-
dous mode of learning their small scholars the
names of The several characters which represent
the sounds OF The English language-would not III o
compensate for all The trouble and expense it m ght
cost for one year! But This is only of the many
interesting subjects that should be broasht up for
conslderalion-one only OF The many things that
are 10 be taught by our teachers and that tn most
elementary of all. In others, there might be as
much time gained by some teachers as in this, if
they knew the best way 10 teach
CR. COBURN.
Is Senator Douglas a Shareholder Z