Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-11-10


cises attending the fir I and second
days Of the Teachers Institute at
Jesup. The main interest Of the
occasion was cen.cred in the pro-
ceedings Of the following days, COM
mencing with Wednesday, which,
by the courtesy Of the Secretary,
Mr.. W. II. Robertson, we are en-
ahled to lay before our readers in
this issue:
WEDNESDAY, Nov. l, 1871.
Association called to order by the
Presidents.
Music. 49,.
Devotional exercises, conducted
by Mr.. Palmer.
Report Of the Secretary and
critics.
Number of Teachers enrolled,
l45.
Committee on Township Institutes
Webb, Robertson, Stockwcll, Per-
sons and Rutherford.
Subject of the torenoon's discus
sion, Primary and Mental Arithmc-
tic.
Mr.. Pierce opened the discussion;
spoke of the successive development
Of the child's faculties; LIST, perccp-
ton, or the sight Of things; 2nd,
conception, or the power OF memory;
then comparison, reason and judg-
mcnt. First, teach effectively, then
abstractively. Always take Addi-
ton and Subtraction in connection;
also Multiplication and Division
That the time of taxing the young
pupils mind may be short, inva-
rlably give short lessons. Secure
and hold their attention while re-
citing, and in concrete numbers let
the pupils use the book.
Mr.. Palmer would not allow the
use of books in class. With young
pupils, give such numbers as they
can understand. Let the exercise
and language be SO simple that
they are adapted to the understand
ing otthe pupils; in the intermediate
study, the language should not be
a hindrance to the work. He would
have them repeat the statement
after the dictation Of the teacher,
believing that they would give it as
concise as those who are accustom-
cd to read it. The primary object
is MT to get through the book, but
to learn correct methods and state
ments.
/ Mr.. Pierce agrees as to the object
of arithmetic. 1t is the heavy work
of the teacher, because it is sepa-
rated into different books.
The natural method of the child
is to give the result first, and not
the statement. except in his own
language. He recognizes the bcne-
fits of repeating the example with
out the book, but doubts if the
method is worth what i: COSTS
Would prepare the pupils in the
common school for practical life
and not for college.
Mr.. Stockwell succeeds better in
allowing the pupils to use the text
book in recitation. He would not
make an effort to cultivate the mem
DRY in this study, but the mind and
reason. Thinks some of the work
sufficiently difficult for Algebra.
Mr.. Palmer argued that by men,
orizing and repeating the examples,
they derived mental strength and
discipline, and, it not beyond the
comprehension Of the pupil, would
use the same process as in Geome-
try. If examples are too difficult,
omit them and simplify.
Mr.. Parker would rather not use
the text book; is not sure the pupils
reason until they use the statement
process. He would cultivate the
power OF memory and all other fac
ulties of the mind.
REcEss-Muslc.
Mrs. Luckey instructed a class OF
young pupils in oLjec. lessons. Her
subject, "the eye" Method, LIST, to
arrest attention.; End, create curios-
ity; Sd, impart information.
The discussion of Mental Arith-
continued with much interest, some
holding to the statement process,
while others thought it a saving of
time and more would be accom-
plishcd by using the book in the
class.
Miss Buttcrfcld met with better
success without using it.
Adjourned to 80 P. NJ.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
After music, the following reso-
lation was offered by Mr.. Palmer:
"Resoiced, That the use of Pri.
mary and Intellectual Arithmetic
adapted both in language and men
tai requirements to the mind of the
pupils, is demanded by the pupils
in class recitation, for the purpose
OF better and more thorough in.
struction in those grades of study"
Moved by Stockwellto adopt. Dis.
cussion followed, after which a
vote was taken and the resolution
lost.
Written Arithmetic. Mr.. Laird
explain ID division Of fractions.-
Gave rules, and would have pupils
illustrate in an analytical way.
REcEss-MUsIc.
The President then introduced
Miss S. L. Hard, from Waterloo,
who instructed the Institute in clio.
cu1ion. Music. Reading OF Queries.
Adjourned.
EVENING SESSION.
Opened with music, by the Jcsup
Methodist choir; Prayer, by Rev.
r. Taylor; Recitation, by Miss F.
Hyde. Essays were read by Miss
Boardman, Miss Tracy and Mr.. w.
E. Parker. Lecture Of the evening
was delivered by Rev. Mr.. Simoms,
on the subject Of ''The Teachers
Missipn.'" s-
After u very amusing song by the
above mentioned choir, the Insti-
i'te adjourned to 9 A. NJ, Thurs
Iav