Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-05-24
Exercises at the Teachers Institute at
Boscobel.

was Calleu 10 Oruer at ten DY sup
Holford, who opened the exercise .
by pertinent remarks. A secretary
was appointed, who enrolled the
names Of those present. Mr.Graham
then took IL lesson in Geography,
asking many unanswered questions
on the State Of Wisconsin, and giving
days time for the teachers TO find
the answers. After noon, he contin-
ued by taking up the subject of
Mental Arithmetic, and very soon
became involved in discussion with
other teachers, on the propriety of
dispensing with much Of the analysis
usually practised. An interesting
drill in Orthography and rules for
spelling, followed, by Mr.. Graham.
After recess q spelling recitation was
given. Mr.. Graham offered one dol
lar as a prize for the teacher who
should spell his list OF twenty words
correctly, but there were no claim
ants. Mr., Matthias Shafer gave good
practical teaching in Arithmetic,
lasting till 8 p. NJ, when the Insti-
tute adjourned.
"WEDNESDAY, May 4th.-Met at 9
A. NJ, and listened to few "curios-
tiles Of numbers" from Mr.. Barber.
Mr.. Graham then took o class in
reading, calculated to develop the
three main objects of reading; lst,
acquiring knowledge; I'd thinking
upon 70, 81, using IT, After reading
the lesson. 1ho class were required TO
write the IDEAS therein, and also .hoir
reflections end comments. A ploas-
Gnt time was enjoyed ut recess, and
Mr Graham conducted ~ exercise
~ pronunciation 81 different words,
Ia which every one was found in err
gOc and uo one took the offered prize
La the afternoon n profitable talg
WAS had on School Programmes.
how 10 arrange the order of classes
so as TO best enable scholars to pre-
pare their lessons. Miss Bates, Miss
Walker, Mrs DeLap and other de-
tailed their usual course of daily du-
ties. Mathematical Geography was
discussed by Mr.. Graham and post
poned till next day. A short time
was spent upon arithmetical analysis,
when Mr.. Graham gave very en-
livening drill upon the Constitution
of the U. 5. and principles of our
government The necessity Of
waking up on this subject was we'll
proved before he closed. A spelling
exercise closed the day, in which all
tried in vain TO secure the prize.
At 8 p. M. another session was
held at which the subject of corporal
punishment was discussed by several
speakers the prevailing belief being
that it was q sort of necessary evil.
Then followed a discussion on the
question, "Resolced, That Education
and Suffrage should not be restricted
on account Of sex" in which Messrs
Graham, Rolfe, Cheney, Barber and
others took part.
THURSDAY, 9 A. N.-The Institute
was first entertained by Mr.. Holford
on Arithmetic. A spirited discussion
ensued between several gentlemen,
on decimal fractions. Mr. Rolfe
spoke at some length on Reading,
and reading books. He claimed that
too much time and breath was vast
ed in vocal training, and that our
youth are not taught to become hab-
itual and interested readers of good
books. A discussion between sever
al gentlemen on this theme closed
the forenoon session.
In the afternoon, Mathematical
Geography was taken up by Mr..
Graham and Local Geography by
Maj A. J. Cheney. Mr.. Graham
gave a rather sharp drill upon rules
for spelling. After recess and an
interesting debate, Mr., Cheney gave
a very profitable lesson on the L. S.
Constitution. His perfect aoquaint-
ance with the subject and lucid way
OF teaching il, procured for him the
title Of "expounder of the Constitu-
ton" A discussion was appointed
for the evening, but a storm pre-
vented.
FRIDAY.-- The Institute opened
with discussion on ventilation,
health, position, and other hygieuic
subjects, bsgUeep hesrs Graham,
Bohe. Hotort and others This was
sueceoded by lesson on Tie sys-
tematic study and teaching Of Pen
mansaip Nr Barber II Gra-
hsm to1k ~ tie same subject ard
urged still more the importance aud
pr1cticdbHuy at every teacher quail
lying hinSeif TO teach the rudimcnts
of the Spencerian system, and analy-
sis Mr. Rolfe spoke after recess on
spelling
In the afternoon Mr.. Graham con-
tinued bis exercise OF critical an
alysis of spelling by rule. This was
followed by a familiar talk with
teachers, on American literature aud
authors, calling on various members
for quotations.
Some fine selections were read by
Misses Bates and Walker, and Mr..
Graham presented much useful in
formation and advice on the subject
of correspondence, finance, u. S.
notes and bonds, &c. A resolution
of thanks was unanimously given
to Mr.. Holford and Mr.. Graham, for
the valuable privileges enjoyed by
those attending and for their kind,
able and acceptable management,
after which all were dismissed.
The exercises were varied by oc-
easional songs, and were carried on
in harmony and good feeling through
out.
A. W. BARBER, Sec.
.
I r a..