The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-02-11
TEACaEaS' INSTITUTE.
Especial Correspondence Of the Areus.1

Especial Correspondence OF the Argus.]
Ma. EDITOR "A local Teachers Institute
was held, about week since, in Andalusis,
which was really interesting, and of which !
desire to give you some account. And 4
would here preface my remarks by saying
that if our teachers, rs class, would confer
together oftener, aud Interchange ideas, ana
gather from each others experience the rich
store of practical facts, and develop ~has At
FIRST may be but crude idea INTO an intel
lectusl body OF magnificent proportions, the
.os,,l, wouId soon be seen and felt in the sd.
ditional i'm petus given to the cause OF edu
cation in the common school.
The Institute organized with Mr.. j. H.
Durham in the chair, and Miss Sarah Buf
by the scholars of Mr. c. W. Sherman's
school, led ny Mrs. Sherman, entitled, The
Welcome Song was beautifully rendered,
and, after an appropriate scripture lesson
and prayer, the regular order of business
was entered upon. First came . class
exercise In reading, conducted BY ID.
Durham. This WAS interesting As showing
the want of culture, even among
teachers, of this most useful
a. we'll q . delightful accomplishment.
Mr.. Durham showed most conclusively In
his illustrations from his class, which was
composed of teachers present-that by lar
too little time is spent IN the schooi room'
in reading exercises; aud he at the sans
time sho we'd, how, BY well directed eno!" :
high degree of perfection may be attained,
aud also the culpsbility OF those wao neg
lsct this useful branch OF study.
most interesting class In Etymoiogy,
conducted by Mr.. C. W. Sherman in which
the development theory" was happily illus
,rated, was next in order. By means OF
black board, she development Of ideas, By
objective and synopsical illustrations was
made clear, and showed most conclusively
that mere distractions are not the road for
the young mind. That the concrete, the
principle that applies to Mi"gs, the tsngl
BILE, in SO far as language can be made so
is the most proper for q thorough develop
ment of the young or immature intellect.
A class exercise in map drawing conduct
ed BY Mr.. Vermillion came next. He called
at random from among the pupils present
some who had never before attempted at maj
drawing, but who in few minutes, undel
his clear, concise directions, succeeded II
sketching upon the board in highly credit
able manner, maps of North and South
America.
That the "Guyot Methods" now becoming
80 very popular Throughout. the country, Ar
superior TO all others, there can be no doubt
and that there is as much difference be
tween the methods used when IRE went 1
school, and those In use now, as between
locomotive and stage coach, is equal
certain. Evolutionary exercises, and dis
cussion of Queries occupied the evenln
session, which was highly interesting one
On Saturday morning, after the usus
opening exercises, Miss Nettie Bowman /
Illustrated various cases IN common fractions
Should the necessity of keeping the frat
tionsl unit constantly ID view, and rendere
every operstion extremely plain and siu
pie. She exhibited thorough mental disc
plne and severe training OF her power
Of mind. Analysis of the English sentenc
BY J. q. Durham, was next on tn
taps, and excited somewha
sharp discussion between himse
land Mr.. Sturgeon, the County Superb
tendent on "case" in Grammar. Mr.. Stul
geon arguing in favor of the term, while Nj
Durhum argued that the term is irrelevsn
and unmeaniug IN fact, one OF host OF bar
nacles that have become unnecessarily al
tached 10 the English Grammar, and substl
tutes the term use or office. He also Inslst
that there is no such thing as Mode IN Eng
hsh Grammar, nor the PdSStre f0ire, an
we motto d several other innovations upoi
what we We learned when boy; Mr.. Dul
ham seems positive that he Is right and II
vites criticism and it must be sail that HI
arguments seem very plausible. Time WI
show.
Mrs Vermilhon gave most interestin
exhibition OF different methods OF prImsr
instruction. Too little attention IS paid
small children in our public schools, viii
really the best teachers are needed for then
Mr.. c. W. Sherman gave an able lectui
from "Guyot's map of the World" shown
clearly aud forcibly the continental develop
nent of races and their enlightenment q
gradually developed by their continents
conditions.
He also illustrated the necessity Of tabulI
ting upon the Board, as far as possible. til
subject matter Of every lesson; and tt,
more than one sense should be appealed
while endesvoring to implsnt IN the min
the desired information.
The afternoon and evening of the secon
day were taken up mainly by discussion {
queries and elocutionary exercises. Nj
Sturgeon in the afternoon made some teiiin
remarks upon the necessity OF sustaining th
common school system as one of our essen
italy American institutions, against al
encroachment by any party or sect. whatever
Previous to adjournment the following
resolutions were adopted.
RESOLUTIONS.
Resoiced. That we, as teachers, determines
to devote ourselves more earnestly to the work 9
educating and instruoting the youth placed 1
our charge both mentally and morally
Rrsolred That in the convention OF teacher
An interchange of method, thought anu ieehnl
and in the mental strength and support derive
rom these meetings, we recognize one of II
most important means OF sustaining our dete
minaton.
Re.otred. That we divest ourselves, as far
possible, Of the drawbacks that impede our pr
gress and come out into the hight, elevate OF
profession and take a higher stand IL this mo-
important calling.
Re.olp.d That our thanks are gratefully rel
dered to the people of Apdalusia and vioinit
who have aided us in material and sustained
by their attendance. ,
Resoiy,d That we tender thanks to Il
children of the schools who have so PATENT
aided US in the illustrations OF our subject, and
-inging.
Re.oired, That our thanks he rendered to a
who have endeavored, in their illustrations
Geography, Arithmetic, Grammar, de, for the
earnest iahors in their exempliiications for OF
benefit.
These certainly have the ring of the tru
metal, and will meet the approval of ever
friend Of education. PH1LoM.