The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-04-15

TEACHERS 1NsTITUTB.-The regular
monthly meeting of the Teachers In
stltute was held at the First Branch
Council Chamber on Saturday, the 10th
inst. The President being absent, Mr..
Snowden was called to the chair. After
calling the roll and reading the minutes,
the question for the day being announc.
ed, ("Arithmetic,") Mr.. McMechen
proceeded to discuss, seriatip, the sew
eral points indicated in the programme.
He said that Arithmetic should be
treated as q subject OF the hrst Impor-
lance in scholastic training. In the
middle and higher grades OF the school
the mathematics should be made the
basis of classification. In this respect,
other studies, no matter how important
In themselves, should De subordinated.
The simplest elements OF Arithmetic
should be impaired even in the lowest
primary grades. This can be done with
out much severe study, to very con-
siderable extent, and to the great future
advantage OF the pupil. Arithmetic
should be studied generally in the or
der laid down In the text book, but this
order may be deviRted from OCCASION
ally according to the discretion Of the
teacher. The two principal objects to
be kept in view in teaching Arithmetic
are mutual discipline and the acquisi-
ton of useful practical knowledge the
latter chiefly as the means of at
tanning the former. Teachers should
endeaVor to be as Independent
OF the text book as possible. By
doing SO they will be more. sue:
cessfnl in their calling. They should
deal q great deal in original questions
and problems not found in the text
book. But at the same time they should
be careful not to affect such an inde-
pendence OF 1t as their educational ex-
perience does not warrant. In teaching
this, as we'll as other branches, the nat.
ural order should be adhered to: Pro-
cesses frat, principles deduced from
them, and rules, as the embodiment OF
principles In ordinary language. But
as rules and definitions are intended
for the memory, there could be no valid
objection against thoroughly memoir
zing them, pGri pGSSu, with the study of
processes and principles. Wherever it
can be done the subject of Arithmetic
should be taught topically; but where
this cannot conveniently be done, the
order Of exercises as presented in the
text book may be pursued, the teacher
being careful to assign moderate les
sons, requiring thorough preparation.
Mr.. Snowden followed In q few res
marks of a general character, placing
particular stress on the position that
children should be taught to think for
| Themselves. They would thus become
more self-reliant and more generally
successful in life.
Miss Meholin then read we'll writ
ten essay on Arithmetic, in which was
presented some views both original and
suggestive.
Mr.. Adams, formerly of Boston, but
now a resident of this city, being intro
duced to the Association, addressed
them for several minutes, on the sub.
ject of the day, in very suitable and
practical manner.
The following is the subject for dis
cussion at the next meeting:
What are the chief defects in our pub.
lie schools. and what can be done to
remedy them?
The debate will be opened by Messrs.
s. w. Boyd and J. M. Galloway.
A cordial invitation is extended to all
teachers to be present.
Adjourned to meet on the second Sat-
urday Of May at 2 O'Clock P. NJ.