Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-12-25
T'oipn Iaststttte--Pas.ts.

LII. iiUc,N'"HtN pupVi siSVi VI SNi~~'S'
held an institute in our village on Satuf.
day last. We regret that but five OF our
male, aad two of our female teachers
were ia attendance, and part of them but
half day. There were two or three
from out of town. The DIT. went on,
however, ASH there was full attendance
and gave many practical ideas and illus
irations TO teachers, in teaching the va
rious Branches.
lie would have the alphabet taught by
objects or pictures. Show children hat,
or any object, and then tell them the let
tiers and they will see the picture of the
word, and carry it in their minds. lie
gave the following rules for teaching
spelling,
Ito remember, we must first under.
stand.
2-Associatc words with spelling
S-Associatc spelling. with reading.
4-Review all mis-spclled words.
He advised teachers not to be confined
to the spelling book, but give out topics
Cor the scholars, the names of articles in
the room and familiar objects.
\ good exercise to keep up an interest
was to have spelling matches, where one
on Que side spells word. and one on the
other side a word commencing with the
last letter of the word spelled, and so on
ill thew run out of words and have to sit
down. and the one who keeps up the
longest is the victor.
The order of obtaining knowledge was
1st, to observe; 81, to get an idea Of it,
by examination Sd, to get a name for
it, By observing these natural rules n
teacher can impart knowledge success
gully.
Much amusement was made by an ex-
crcise of spelling words usually mis- SPELL
ed. Slips Of paper were distributed. and
four words given on, to spell. Sixteen
tried, and not one WAS correct in every
word, while five had not one worl correct
Another exercise of mis-pronounced
words created much amusement. \ few
words usually mis- spelled are, compare
lively, supersede, absence, Sibyl, siege,
seize. Ca,neliau, Mortgageor, opodcldoc,
sacrilcgi0us, aqueduct, separate, &c.
Words mis.pronouneed are. covetous.
column. coadjutor, vagary, cxorcist. does.
specially, boat, subsistence. Italian, in
sidious, isolated, irrofragablo, exponent.
exquisite. clcauly, Christening, sacrament.
tremendous, aspirant, &c.
The system of teaching Reading was
practical. The key orG, or lively, pleasant
key Of voice should always be cultivated.
He would not have small scholars get
definitions before they can comprehend
the words. Definitions are sometimes
more difficult and shstruSc than the origin
a, word.
He gave a universal table for instruc-
iion in arithmetic, and illustrated it 10 the
comprehension Of the beginner, which
seemed adapted to all.
Ills exercise of the analysis OF words
was Also interesting. and Of great benefit
to the scholar in spelling, getting the
definition of words. &c. II is calculated
10 bcgc, habit Of study and investigation
which will result in vast benefit in unfold.
ing the mysteries of our language.
On the whole, We are satisfied that
these smaller or town institutes afford
more general o portuni,ies TO teachers for
than larger gatherings, and it
wor 1t be- u benefit 10 every town to have
one. The Dr.. seems 10 be doing good
work in our Schools. We went into one
with him, and noticed that he worked as
hard with the classes OF Young children
~ with the teachers. When he goes into
4 town, he goes thoroughly and visits ev-
cry school. lie stops long enough, too,
to do some good. The DR.. is engaged
this week, in visiting our 5 .hools. and il
every town has rs many Districts rs ours,
he clnnot be expected to visit many
towns in our County the first year. We
are satisfied that our Supervisors are do
ing good work in the Educational field.