The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-11-14
THE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.

On Saturday morning, Nov. 9th, as
jolly company of ladies and gentlemen,
both old and young, as Manitowoc con-
tains, might have been seen starting for
our neighboring village, Two Rivers.
The weather was so fine and the teachers
so lively and communicative, one nigh.
have thought holiday w.s to be en-
joyed by them in festivities, or other
amusements. The drive along the lake
thai morning was indeed delightful,
with the bed plainly in view, where
soon is to be laid the iron thread of COM
merce while on the other hand we're to
be seen on the 'snow hecked'' bay of
Manitowoc, ships as busy and as numer-
Gus as once they were on Salamis. The
elevated character of these surroundings,
1t Is not unlikely, prepared the company
for the imposing pageant that was re-
served to distinguish their reception at
Two Rivers. AS they crossed the
bridge and entered on the principal
street. hats were seen flying in the air,
and the shouts OF multitude seemed to
bespeak an homage wholly unexpected
But no time was wasted. Proceeding at
once to the fine and commodious school
building of that village: where they were
met and greeted by the earnest and eff
Gent corps Of teachers there employed,
they very soon began the work, not play,
appointed for the day. 1t is true there
vas some amusement, and much pleas
ure afforded by the exercise but In all
things there was dignity and an earn
estness commensurate with the absorb
ing importance of Improvement in the
art Of teaching. By an attendance at
these meetings, school boards could
very easily determine who are weak and
who are strong who are alive and who
are absolutely dead "a much better cri-
terion, it seems, than bundles of endorse
ments that probably in nine cases out of
ten, were written as mere personal ia
vors.
Mr.. Cleary gave an instructive exer-'
else in blackboard peDmanship. Mrs.
Stewart talked about the method of
teaching geography, and advanced some
good ideas What is usually esteemed a
great difficulty, viz, multiplication and
division of common fractions, together
with the reasons tor inverting the divi
sor, was clearly and analytical present
ed by Miss Guyles. All the difficulty of
these subjects was dispelled by an sx-
cellent calculation of fundamental princi
ple Mr. Faville Illustrated very nicely
the topical method of teaching history.
Miss Burritt's long experience, clearly,
has not been unavaiiing; for an exercise
of hers in primary Arithmetic was
profting in the highest dsgrse to ALL
Mr.. Stewart thought technical grammar
might be taken up with profit at the age
of eleven or twelve; but lessons in Ian
suage ought to begin with the primer.
If few teachers practice, yet common
sense endorses his theory.
Mr. viebahn illustrated in an able
| ID amer the various sources and methods
| by which one is, at length, enabled to
produce and express thought. This
only, wa. worthy Of being called compo-
sition. A discussion, opened by Mr..
Walker, was the closing exercise of the
day. The organizing Of country schools,
and a proper programme therefore were
considered at some length, which con-
.ideration might have benefited many in
terested therein had they been present.
1t being the day fer the election of Off
| GERS, on balloting. Mr. Stewart was elect
cd President, Mir FavilIe, Vice Pres,
and Miss Burritt Secretary. The pro
gramme for the next meeting was then
read -
Drill in penmanship-Mr: Faville,
Drill in spelling, with application OF
ru,es-Mrs Webb. Drill IN Arlthme-
tic-Mr. Kirwan. Distinguished men
of the e. S. during the Revolution-
Mr.. Stewart. Drill IN parslng-Mlss
Sackett- Intermediate .eadiDg-Mr.
Price. Discussion-literary exercises
opened by hir. Cleary. The association
then adjourned, to meet again IL two
weeks at the 1st Ward school house in
Manilowoc. at 81 O'Clock, A. N. Such
work as was done at Two Rivers. cannot
fail to produce the happiest results in
the educational interests of this City and
County. But the advantage afforded by
this association, must be supplemented
hy a worthy ambition to improve and
excel. or nothing will be attained. Those
who can attend and will not, are, f1T1nra
fucie, imbecils and droEes.