The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-09-12

haps several lives would have been
lost. ~
THE LYON COUNTY TEACHERS IN
| STITUTE
EDITOR NEws: i am sure that l
can find space in your columns in
which to speak word about the insti-
tute that was held in this city on the
Sd. 4th and 9Th insts.
The institute was held in the new
Normal building, which was kindly
offered for its use by the Regents of the
Normal School Board.
1t opneed on Wednesday morning, in
the chapel, by singing that universal
favorite, Crock of Ages" after which
followed a prayer by DIR. Hoss.
Superintendent Cavaness then spoke
for some time, showing the benefits to
be derived from the drill of these in
stitutes, if well attended, and conduct
ed with the zeal that ought to charac-
teriZe the work of the educators of
Lyon county.
/ The first exercise of the morning
was drill in grammar, by Prof. Car
| michael. The Professor gave many
useful hints in regard to presenting
this subject to the minds of beginners,
and if teachers generally would adopt
the clear, concise method given by him,
there would be much less difficulty ex-
perienced by pupils in comprehending
the science of our language, and teach
ers would avoid having dull and unin-
terested classes.
Following as tie next drill of the
morning, was an exercise in elocution,
conducted by DIR. Hoss. Judging from
the enthusiasm with which he worked,
l concluded that it must be n favorite
study with him. He spent most Of the
time allotted to elocution for the first
morning, i'm the elements. Subsequent
~, however, he drilled the class in
reading, and exercising the voice.
Prof. Norton occupied the remainder
of the morning with drill in geogra-
ply. The method used by him COM
bined common sense with practicable
| ity. Could the teachers of our COIN
mon schools avail themselves of such
teaching oftener am sure that they
| would lessen their work and make
geography as interesting as it is neces-
sary. On the two succeeding days
Prof. Norton developed his own theory
of uniting the studies of geography
and history, showing the results of
events from the physical geography of
the land. 5s
After q two hours intermission the
institute re-assembled in the chapel,
and the work of the afternoon was be-
gun by drill in arithmetic, by Prot.
Carmichael, and it was quite evident
he as thoroughly understood the mode
of teaching arithmetic as of grammar.
One of the most enjoyable features
of the institute succeeded-an exercise
in music, Prof. Jones officiating. The
musical ability of Prof. Jones is too
well known to need remark. His vi
vacity was sufficient to arouse a much
more drowsy and dull audience than
the one which he favored with his ex-
cellent drill. Tie music each day COM
pletely rested and awakened every one
for the remainder of the afternoon.
A short recess followed, in which the
members of the institute talked, chat
ted, interchanged ideas and became
acquainted.
I Immediately after recess Prof. Nor
ton gave an exercise il physiology, a
subject altogether too much neglected
in our common schools. His mode of
teaching was by object lessons, a mode
which, il adpoted, would render this
study easy, interesting and of incalcH-
liable value. l only wish that every
teacher in the county, or State, coald
have heard the remarks on this subject.
An exercise IN theory and art closed
the work of the day. Prof. Hoss con-
Quoted it, and labored faithfully to in
still new ideas into the minds of those
r present.
/. Thursday repeated the program OF
the preceding day.
On Friday pleasant variation took
place in the afternoon, in the shape OF
!, an object lesson, given by Miss Smith
the lady who takes charge of the Model
f school this fall; she evinced q decided
: competency to manage bad boys. i
o the quiet decision and energy which
= she displayed Friday afternoon be any
type of her everyday character in the
J, school room the Model cannot fail to b
success.
= A box had been provided Friday
4 morning in which was to be placed any
j question that any member of the insti-
i tute desired to ask. On opening tn.
G box in the afternoon the following
# among others, were found: First, wa
question in regard to parsing a Ger
tain sentence; second, sis compulsor,
education right or practicable ?" Boil
questions called forth considerable dis
|, cussion from the members. The com
= mittee on resolutions offered the FOL
lowing, which were adopted:
WHEREAS, We, the teachers of Lyel
county, have held our annual institut
4
= received and entertained, be it
~ Resolred, That we tender our SINGER
! thanks TO the people of Emporia 70
IS their Kindness in accommodating u
= during Otfr sojourn with them.
Resolued, That we tender our thank
te to the professors who have so skillfull
l. conducted the institute for Us.
g ResoIUcd, That we tender our thank
t. to the Regents of the State Norms
re School for the use of this magniiice1
IN building.
s. ResOl0ed, That we believe the educa
tional interests of this county woal
OF be enhanced by uniform series
r. text books throughous the schools I
at the county.
or Resolred, That we believe teacher
should employ object lessons SIS
means of improving the conception an
'as language of their pupils.
Resolved, That we earnestly solic
Prof. Norton to allow his lecture, "Tf