The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-07-03
Portage county Teachers Association.


The Association met at the new
Town Hall in Brimffeld, Saturday, the
2Sih Fult., and was called to order at
the usual hour by President Pickett.
After reading the minutes, the chair
announced that the report of the con-
dition of Randolph schools had not
been received, owing to the illness of
Mr.. Wolcott.
Mr.. Spiers then addressed the As
sociadon on the subject of arithmetic
in schools. He argued that while the
subject of mathematics was an impor-
tant one, still he thought what is
known as Higher Arithmetic received
more attention than it ought, and Of
ten to the neglect of other equally
important branches. He would have
no Higher Arithmetic in our common
schools.
Mr.. Turnbull said that the subject
was one wflichawas pre-eminently the
important one to be considered by
the teachers of the county. The fail
ure of Arithmetic in the common
schools is due to the lack of Uniform
ity in the methods of.teaching. Teach
ers should stick to the language of the
text book, without they know it
to be wrong. They are frequently
Indifferent TO the interests of their
scholars, often using the school as
stepping stone to some other position
in society. He, too, thought Higher
Arithmetic out of place in country
schools. 'ii3
! Mr.. Pickett said Higher Arithme-
tic was being thrown out of both
country and graded schools. Other
studies could be more proftably pur-
sued, as scholars could not compre-
hend the study.
Mr.. Smalley agreed with the others
that Higher Arithmetic should be ex-
eluded. iiss
Mr.. Hunsberger claimed that there
is no limit to the comprehension of
scholar. He teaches the study, and
finds no difficulty in it, if the pupil
thoroughly understands what he ought
to before he enters it.
Mr.. Patton would teach Arithmetic
effectively, would exclude Higher
Arithmetic.
At II NJ. the visitors were invited to
partake Of one of the best dinners |
ever had the pleasure of sitting down
to-such a one as the good ladies of
Brimfield so well know how to pre-
pare-and justice, compells me to state
that the teachers seemed to discuss
the edibles with greater relish than
they did the other exercises.
After dinner Miss Lou Blake con-
Quoted an exercise showing her meth
cd of teaching reading.
Mr.. Blake then gave brief history
of the schools of -Brimfeld.
Mr.. Patton suggested a convention
of the Boards of Education of our
county to select a list of text books to
be used in district schools.
Mr.. Smalley, Ticknor and Puckett
favored the movement.
Mr.. Bettes, in talking of the course
of study tor country schools, said it
should that best suited to develop the
mind of the pupil. He would have
botany, chemistry, physiology &C.,
taught very early.
He was followed by Messrs. Small
ley, Wilcox and Patton, upon the
same subject. fe
By special invitation from the citi-
zens of Brimfield, it was determined
to hold the..Fall Institute at that place
the last week in August.
The Executive Committee was in
structed to make the necessary prep
aration for Normal Institute if by
them deemed expedient.
Resolutions thanking the trustees
for the use of the hall, and the ladies
for their Kindness and hospitality
were unanimously adopted.
The good old Democratic town of
Brimfield is wide awake to the impor-
tance of eleYatiug the standard of
teachers and the character of the
schools. A young gentleman named
Hunsberger is about opening a select
school at the center, which promises
to be success in numbers at least.
P. G..