Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-09-25

which there may be general uniformity
IN these institutes and greater degree of
profit to all concerned. To effect this de-
siraoIe OBJECT 1t seems necessary to consid-
er briefly the design Of these organizations,
the goal TO be reached by this concert of
action. 80 far as my present purpose re-
! quires, three objects seem to be ofprimary
importance, and therefore we will now men
tion only these three: The improve
ment of teachers in the several branches
| taught in schools and the additional i'm
! provement Of increased knowledge on top
les only indirectly related to school stud
les the cultivation of skill and successful
variety in communicating instruction the
discussion of modes of government and of
securing good attendance and q kindling
enthusiasm in study; aud the awakening,
deepening and enlghtening of hearty in~
terest in the schools ON the part of patrons.
To promote these objects the following
seems good general plan, to be varied ac-
cordlng to the peculiar circumstances of
each district, but to be adopted so far as it
can properly be done
Instructors in each branch should be ap=
pointed and exercises assigned at least one
week in advance, and these exercises
should not be the commonplace lessons of
the schoolroOm, unless the majority of the
members are so deficient in scholarship as
to require such elementary drilling-in
which case let it be uery thorough; y; the
exercises as a general fact should be Of
more difficult character, requiring study of
principles, reading of standard works on
subject, investigation of causes and patient
reflection. Thus in geography, let one les-
son embrace an explanation Of all the lines
drawn on maps, the reason for the particu.
lar position and direction Of those lines,
their names and the significance Of those
names, their uses Let another lesson en-
brace all that can be taught from globe.
the motions of the earth, the changes of
the seasons, the difference 10 degrees of
longitude, the points that are opposite, and
whatever else suggests itself. A topical
review might be greatly advantageous. In
grammar, let primary attention be given to
analysis, let sentences be written to illus
trate either by blackbo representation
or written out for CRITICAL inspection, OF
given with precision verbally and let the
most difficult words be parsed with care
that model be furnished by every such
exercise. In reading, let the lesson be
thoroughly studied and read aloud by every
member previously to the institute; let ev-
cry one have his mind fully decided re-
specting the proper emphasis and refec-
ton OF each sentence, the tone ip which
every word should be uttered, the express
sion which best represents the writer's
meaning let sentences of doubtful char.
acter be written on the blackboard and va.
rious modes Of reading them be given and
the best selected.
Of course these are general instructions,
not new or original, but quite likely to
prove advantageous if properly followed.
The ingenuity of teachers will readily sug-
gest numerous topics of interest and the
consideration of these cannot fai! to be
beneficial to the teachers and to pa,rous
who may attend the institute Report :
essays on practical themes may be made
greatly useful if suitable topics be select
ed, competent persons appointed to discuss
them, and all prepare themselves IL. taor-
ough investigation o. these subjects. J,G
enable teachers to do justice to any topic, Or
to make the most satisfactory progress in
any branch Of study, it seems best to have
exercise in not more than three diferent
departments at one meeting; otherwise
much time is inevitably spent in little
bubbles or frittcred away on q multitude
of themes
TO improve teachers in public instruc-
ton and In written composition, 1T seems
very well to have paper connected with
the institute, for which each member
should feel obliged to write, and to writs
his very best. An extemporaneous dis.
cussion of some topic in which patrons ara
interested, and in which they should be re-
quested to participate, would be highly
useful.
l have not suggested any particular mode
of organization, because that seems so
plain matter none can be troubled about
it. A long constitution. seems unnecessary,
the object is to get to work.
It is requested that the secretary of
each district institute report 10 me at the
end of each school month the numder and
place of meetings during the month, the
number of times each teacher in the limits
of the association has attended, the order
of exercise, and the general influence of
the meetings upon the members of the in
stitute and upon the community. In this
way much yaluabls information will be &C.
cured, and it is thought a more uniform
and effective system will prevail through
the district institutes Of the county.
a. SMITH