The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-04-15
Teachers Institute.

1880 A. N. to III A. M.-Penmanshlp.
II A. II. to 10 M.-Grammar.
2P. N. to 3 p. M.-Primary.
81. NJ. to 3A5 T. M.-Rea6ing
3:45 T: NJ. to 4:30 T. M-Arithmetic.
4:3O +. N. to 5 +. M.--Query Box.
The following teachers were selected to con-
duct the different exercises:
Gsography-Mr. Jenkins, of Ottawa.
Primary Instruction-Miss Paddock, of En-.
Rlewood.
Arthmetic-Mr. Brayton, of Cook Co.
Psnnanship-Mr. Brady, of Marseilles.
Reading-Mr Hall, of La Sale.
Grammar-Mr. Tucker, of Tonica
Each Of the teachers filled his or her allotted
time with lecture, giving illustrations on the
black board, whom practicable, and accompanied
BY thorough drilling of all present on each of
the subjects, allowing free criticisms aud dis
cussions where they coxld be made useful. These
lectures were all valuable and interesting, not
only to the teachers but even TO spectators there
being few present, at each, and on all occasions
as many as there was room for. We were struck
with the very many improvements in teaching
since the day of log school houses Teaching is
rapidly being reduced to an exact science, and
dull indeed must be the pupil who cannet &C.
quirs good education at the common schools
with the numerous reforms and improvements
The dry and laborious method of pounding
and grinding knowledge into dull heads has
given way to attractive and interesting means,
which excite the attention of the pupil and keep
him sgreeably entertained while receiving his
store Of knowledge. Everything is now taught
BY illustration, and tho black board, charts
globes and objects have superseded dry arrays of
stupid, hard, disconnected and tedious figures,
that every study is full of peasureable, whole.
some excitement and unAagging interest.
Tho Query Bsx, while affording much solid
instruction and solid information on knotty ques-
tions was also tho means of producing much
amusement.
Each Of tho teachers was required to place
daily in tho query box one or more questions,
suoh Is occur to every teacher in their daily
work. These questions were drawn out at a
stated time and referred to some ono for an
answer. Among the questions we have selected
"Caa teachers compel pupils to furnish com.
positions9"
Answer by Mr.. Clark. eyes, if it ia a rule
Of tho school it should be strictly enforced as
any other regulation of the school,"
"What would you do with boy who uses
profane lauguage?"
Answer by Mr.. Tucker. "Do something.
Argue with the big boys and whale the little
onesw
What would you do with boy who chews
tobacco and spits at hole in the Aoor?"
Answer by Mr. Tucker. II would stop it,"
Interruption by "Beemus." "Stop what, tho
chewing or the holeF"
Mr.. Tucker Both" Naughter)
"Would you allow whispering
Answer BY Mr.. Clark. EYES, if l wished to-
otherwise would not"
rs a teacher responsible for damage to school
property during his term of SCHOOL, ~
Answer BY Mr.. Clark. eyes, suppose he is,
II he can prevent it,"
'What is the difference between foot square
and a square foot 2"
~S~A sS'SA"A S''suAP'S " coAVc VueetlOu,
1t was referred to "Beemus."
With due difidence that absurd individual
replied, that foot square was IL inches in diff.
aerent directions enclosing square, and then
pausing and firmly planting one Of his No. 10
brogans on the platform and pointing to it, ad.
ded, and here is square toot"
"Why are volcanoes always near the sea ?"
Answer BY Mr.. Jenkins ut il not generally
true that they arc"
"Who was the famous Egyptian Queen ?"
Answer BY Beenus. "She was an Irishman
by the name Of Cleo patrick"
what is the Oldest city in the world"
Answer by Beemus "Sperma.citi, located in
W(h)alesw
SIS the earth round or flat?"
Referred to 'us." We stated that it was nat
around here, but We would teach fiat or round.
as the directors might require.
"What il the difference between lady wearing
green dress and red bow, and Beemus' sweet.
heart 2"
Answer by Tom Clark. zone has a green
dress and a red bow, and Becmus' sweetheart has
red drese and green 6tdU."
We have hired little boy to 'pn. head" on
the aforesaid Clark.
A WARN1NG.-A man who had never given