Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-04-08
Teachers' Institute.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
The clock-liks work of the Institute. IN
following odt ito programme. would make
the exercises somewhat dull were Il not for
the interesting discussions that follow each
report, in which, for reasons unknown 10
parliamentary usage. the Chairman takes
! part without vaeating the chair. and there
By receives just rsbuks from the critics.
We are sorry to see 80 few Of eur citizens
present. They will surely end the exercises
Interesting a. we'll q profitable. Of the
assembly, there 10 much TO smuss and please.
Some there are, tit subjects for psn-pioturss.
OF these, there is our .'littls girl so-called.
who watches everything, and takes crit
ic's pleasure in the proceedings; and, then
again, our modest friend who merely g'7es
his opinion and those who only speak
when asked, and always "co-incids with
the report !" or those Who haven't given
much attention to the subject but Of
these, perhaps, anon.
The afternoon opened with report BY
Miss A. Allen: Subject-"ln Geography.
what shall be taught first, and how shall II
bs taught9" Numerous suggestions were
made In the discussion by Mrs. Curry and
Mrs. McGonegal, and Messrs. Mcclellan
Baker, Barrier, Thompson and others, some
Of which were extremely practical.
A report Was then presented BY Miss r.
Schofsld Sutject-"Algebra." A report
concise and practical, and, were Its sugges-
tons carried out, would very materially aid
teachers in teaching what, BY; very many.
il called difficult branch to handle sue
csssfuly in our Common Schools.
The Chairman suggested the question,
"Why should algebra not be introduced in
to our common schoolst" and on this the
discussion was opened BY Mr.. Pinneo, whs
thought qualified teachers could not be
found.
Mr.. Lyman thought there was . want Of
time for this additional exercise. Mr.. Rose
would combine it with arithmetic. Mr..
Vsrmillion concurrsd, had tried it little.
Mr.. Coleman thought there were 20 many
classes in the country schools that, whore
only one teacher was employed. It wesld be
impracticable.
The Chairman thought there could BE-
found ample time.
After which came recess followed BY mu-
sic-"The Storm" BY Miss Cora Park.
hurst, in the rendering Of which. shs did her
self great credit.
A discussion was then had on "Physica'
Culture, necessity Of. methods, &C."
Mr.. Coleman spoke Of the natural desire
Of children for exercise, and disapprovod Of
compelling them to sit quietly during the,
to them, long sessions Of three hours.
Mrs. McGoncgal recommended thorough
ventilation and frequent recessss. Mr..
Mcclellan had found the best success
with small children by giving them . great
deal Of play time.
Mr.. Hamill maintained that development
Of the body must keep pace with the men,
tai development, otherwise the best results
oannot be produced He would let pupils
obtain exercise by playing a. they pleased
during their leisure moments.
Mrs. Curry remarked that our ancestors
were as healthy and we'll developed physic-
ally IS ourselves, notwithstanding their close
confnsm snt for three hours. She attributed
this to the esrnestness and xsst With which
they engaged in their sports. Mr.
Rose attributed it 10 . great measure
to the more simple diet of those days.
The Chairman thought the gymnastie u :
srcisss which were at one time 90 popular,
were useless and Injurious contortions, and
more healthful exercise would be found in
chidrcn's plays, &c.
Areport was then PRESENTED by Mr.. Ly-
man-Subject, "Method Of teaching Com
mercial Rules" in which il was recommend
ed to teach by practice - much As possible.
The discussion was open by Mr.. yermil-
lion, who recommended discarding rules
entirely in teaching. Mr.. Mcclellan "cou-
cured Mr.. S,ndsrson thought there
would be no time Tor practice in commercial
studies in the Common Schools; thought
that simple rules must be used to indicate
the process to bs performed. Mr.. McCul-
Tough believed in committing rulss to memo
~. Mr.. Hamill held the opinion that ths
pupil should bs led to deducs his own rules,
and, to do this, teach BY practical exercises.
Mr.. Rose concurred in that view. Mr. Be-
mis- thought rules could not be dispensed
with.
An excellent critics report was then pre-
ssnted BY Miss Phillips, which led to some
little discussion, the Chair taking part.
| wEDNEsDAY-TolBS0oB.
Mr.. Gallagher being absent, Mr.. Rose,
Vice President, occupied the chair.
Exercises Of the morning we're opened
With reading Of the Scriptures. and prayer
BY Rev. J. A. Hamilton, and singing con-
Quoted by Miss Cora Parkhurst.
Miss Hobart, Miss Simons and Mr. D.
O. Flauuer, were appointed critics for th,
day.
Then followed . report, "Msthod o
teaching Synthssis il 0nmaas,' y presented
by NJ. d. Z. Flannss. The eeotlssaau
gave sous good idsas on sAssshisg Synths.
Gle. illustrating bic subject By sxsmplss-
thinks fun ought % b cultivated % . " iins
art" gave good rsasons 6rst s.g. Who
ever knew . funny man to b bad man
The report was instructive and qsite spicy
The time allotted being occupied in reading
no discussion followed. Next was rspos
BY Mr. j. A. Mcclellan and N. G.. McCul
Tough on "Local Geography" advocating
the plan ofaglobs in order "a. teach The form
Of the earth-map drawing was strengl,
RECOMMENDED. The discussions were par
tisipassd in BY Msssrs. Bsmis, Rose. 0rsvs
Lyman, Hamil, and others.
After intcrmisaion . song was sung b
some Of the teachers. accompanied % th
lpiano BY Miss Clara Alvord. In order can
discussion on "What should bs taugh. Il
NR-fva-Ne..