Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-12-11

ing inaccuracies in reading, the general def
cicncy of public speakers, the delinquency Of
teachers the imperfecton of our educational
systems touching this matter, were subjects
severally exhibited, and in pertinent and live
ly manner illustrated.
The thanks of the association were rendered
to Mr.. Maefarlane for his address, and copy
requested for publication in the School Jour-
nal
The association then adjourned till to-mor-
row morning at s l2 o'clock.
The members of the association and the
friends of education present, then withdrew to
the parlor of the Institute where they in very
agreeable and profitable manner spent an hour
in the pleasantly and familiarity of social in.
tercourSe
Saturday morning the association met, and
was opened with prayer by the Rev. d. Cook.
The President announced the appointment of
DR.. L. j. lngham as lecturer for the next meet
ing, aud Washington Strong alternate. Miss
L. NJ Coe for Essayist, and Miss Julia Hor-
ton alternate. For business committee, DR..
G- +. Horton, ( Guyer and Thomas B.
Young, and Misses Mary Lewis and Emily
Butler.
The subject of Teachers Institutes was ta-
ken up, and after short discussion of the SUBJ
ject, it was laid over until next meeting.
Messrs. Guyer, Cook, T. B. Young, Colt
Coburn and Davies spoke on the subject The
County Superintendent earnestly advocated the
utility and desirableness of Teachers Institutes
although after much effort on the subject no
thing had been accomplished in this county
In Orwell and Leroy respectable number of
teachers had come forward to form Institutes
In the course of the discussion, the expediency
of Institutes was called in question, on the
ground that Teachers are together but for q
short time, and that the results are superficial
and transient and that with organized asso-
Citations, efficient, and holding frequent periodi-
cal meetings, with permanent county superin-
tendency. and normal schools, Institutes are
not needed and not desirable On the other
hand it was maintained that their object was
not to give extended aud systematic instruc-
ton, but to give general directions and infor-
nation on the subject of teaching, to point out
the necessity Of more thorough training in
teachers, and to inspire them with a just sense
of that responsibility. The county superntend-
entS throughout the State had in convention
decided with almost eutire unanimity, that
Teachers Institutes in the several counties
ere absolutely indispensable. In New-York.
they were required 10y law, and supported and
countenanced by State appropriation. Many
teachers had obtained their first ideas of the
nature and dignity Of their work from these In
stitutes, and in this way mauy of the recent
improvements in education had become gener-
orally known and been generally introduced
Prof, Coburn then gave in an extended and
verbal report, the outline of a good days
work in school. The remarks were Cminentlv
practical, the result of long experience, and
such as could not fail to be of great value and
usefulness 10 younger teachers There must
be plan, without following eioseiy the plan of
another teachers should be at school early
and never allow the School-room TO be opcned
until they are there see that every thing in
the School-roOm is neat and in order aud es-
pecjally on the first lay of school should in q
Kind and friendly manner meet the pupils at
the door. Teachers should take care that pu-
pills enter the School-room in proper and quiet
manner, and prohibit all playing in the school
room during recess or before the opening of
school, prevailing evil in the schools of this
county. School should commence precisely at
the appointed hour the reading of a portion
of the Scriptures at the opening was recon-
mended. For several reasons, recitations in
mathematics should come first, and arrange
mentS should be such that each class should
have its proper share OF time, allowing two mi
nuteS between each recitation, and fifteen mi
nutes for general exercise. Glasses should
be called and dismissed precisely at the time
fixed, and perfect stiffness required during re
citations Pupils should fully understand that
lessons given out are TO be thoroughly studied
and prepared before coming to recitationS -
Teachers should never attempt TO do two things
at once. nor allow themselves in any case TO be
teaSed into an aequieScence with the requests
of scholars No whispering should be allowed
in school, unless at the change of CLASSES
Rules should be brief, comprehensive and ea>i-
" understood. Recitations should be so con-
dacte'i that it wonEd be impossible for Pupils
to GO through them without learning-if they
have not capacity enough to learn, they ought
not to DC in the class. An important princi-
pie, Mr.. Coburu in conclusion, prominently