Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-09-27
Jefferson County Teachers, Institute.

4 / accordance with the call OF Prof. II.
Pierce, Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton, the teachers of schools, common and
higher, of Jefferson county, met on the
22d, in Holston College, for the purpose of
organizing and holding a Teachers Insti-
tute. An informal meeting took place in
| the forenoon. A discussion and inter-
| change of views, in regard to the element
| airy vowel sounds, was held. Adjourned
| until o'clock p. M.
On meeting at p. NJ, temporary or
ganizatiOn was effected, by electing Prof.
| II. Pierce as chairman, and J. M. Meek,
Esq, as secretary. Twenty teachers at
tended the meeting.
Reading and spelling was discussed, pre-
coded by a drill of all the teachers in a
class in the vowel and consOnant sounds.
This was conducted by Mr.. Brooks, Prof
r. Pierce and T. r. Russell, of Messy
Creek. During this drill, a critical dis
cussiOn arose as to the exact character and
number of the sounds of a." and the
pronunciation of certain words contain
ing a. Remarks followed by r. Pierce,
showing how drilling a school in the ele-
mentary sounds would tend to distract ar
ticulatiOn and correct reading. Thepoints
made were, that, when a teacher had occa-
sion to correct the pronunciation of q
word, or show the true reading of pas
sage, let the scholar repeat one, two or
three, or more times, if need be. Frequent
repettttons in reading, until accuracy and
thOrcess5itness were secured, combined with
drill in the letter-sOunds, were the prom
inent points brought out by this discussion.
Questions and conversations, touching the
subject-matter of the lesson, to awaken an
interest and bring out the meaning, were
recommended.
In spelling, a careful analysis of the
Ar.1 riy-i,, h. ,lo,, e II
sound of each letter, both vOwelS and con-
sonants, was shown to be the true method
of spelling. This plan, followed some
time, would give perfect knowledge of
the key" after which analyzing an oc-
casional word would be sufficient. Prof.
Burrell illustrated, on the blackboard,
this point, with the word " definite"
Mr.. Meek gave his mode of teaching
spelling. 1t was similar to the one eX-
planned. Mr.. Love and others spoke on
this point. The discussion on this subject
was full and critical, bringing out the very
best methods of spelling, it Is believed.
Arithmetic was next taken up A nu-
merical frame was presented, and its uses
in teaching mental arithmetic to beginners
shown. Its value, also. in explaining frac-
tons, square root, DC. Some valuable
practical points were given and hints
thrown out in teaching mental arithmetic,
touching adding 8 and multiplying by 8
also, in teaching children to add instead
of counting their fingers, &C. All these
points were illustrated by Prof. Pierce on
made touching the Importance of rotation,
and the right way of illustrating arithme-
tic in general by putting examples on the
board and having them explained and the
reasons given for each step. At this stage
of the proceedings a pleasant diversion Oc-
cured AN. anecdote or two was related.
Some interesting remarks were present
ed touching composition, its Importance,
&C., also as to defamation. Prof. Russell
held that one piece learned perfectly, and
spoken two or three times was better than
two or three pieces partly learned and bad
ly detained. Prompting was condemned
when scholar was declaiming. Mr. Brooks |
and Snodgrass both spoke with point and
effect on this subject of defamation.
After arranging for and announcing the |
subject for the night session, Religion in |
relation to higher education,n the Insti- |
tute adjourned, a committee of five having
been appointed to prepare a report ON Text |
Books, to be presented to the Board of
Education of Jefferson county.
NIGHT STANDARDIZATION AND RELI-
GtON.
Prof Russell opened the discussion,
a harmony between the two, and |
a moral tendency in science toward reli-
gion. incidentally he spoke of the re-
cognized necessity of broader curriculum
in our higher schools, and also urged the
absolute need of endOwments for colleges
and seminaries.
John M. Meek, Esq, spoke with much |
force and point, urging the teaching of the
Bible and religion in the common schools. |
Col. H., I. Dick was gratified to be pres
emf, and know of these efforts to promote
education--bade them God speed.
Col. Meek claimed that by high stan
dard of intellectual and moral training,
man could be made fit for an immortality
on earth.
Prof. Pierce seconded and emphasized
the need of broad curriculum, and ar
gued the practicability of endowments.
After which the meeting adjourned.