Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-12-12
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.


The Teachers Institute held by the
County Superintendent at the Senate
chamber last evening, was largely at
| tended.
Nh. Curry. of Gibson, was called to the
chair, and the exercises opened with a les
son in
GEoGisAsHi.
DR. Sears Being called upon TO explain
| the mode of teaching, said that he did not
claim to be an expert, but would give some
general outlines, those following him tC
| furnish the demonstrations.
1t is necessary to be given at the beginning
in double sense. Ia geography, for in
stance, shall we begin with the
assertion that geography is a description
| of the earth? | think, net, because geogra-
ply is not description Of the earth. Shall
we begin with the globe? | think not, be-
cause the child has no idea at all of globes
and this should be left for a later period
| would suppose this good method:
would see class of boys before me, would
ask one where he lives, he would say ''oyel
yonder,n and would not give very salts
| factory answer. | would then ask him
whether it is in the direction of the rising
or setting sun. He would finally get cor
rect idea of the cardinal points of the COM
pass. Then would ask him how far he
lives from the schoolhouse, and perhaps he
would not be able to give definite
answer. We might ask him how long
it would take him to walk or ride the dis
lance. The idea of distance might be given
in this way. An idea of measurement
might be given him; for instance, by ask
l.. Ill, 10 q.
might ask him if he would cross a stream
in going home, and if he said yes, then we
would ask him what would be the effect if
the stream should be swollen so as to rise
ten feet. He would say it would cover the
entire valley. We would then ask him
what the effect would be if it should rise
thirty feet. 1t might be that it would fill
smaller valleys, running up from the main
valley up among the hills. The elevations
then would represent hills and mountains,
and an idea of geography can be inculcated
in this way.
The speaker here gave an illustration in
physical geography, on the blackboard,
Superintendent Presnell serving as class,
and answering the questions propounded
with a remarkable degree of promptitude.
The DR.. said he considered it great
waste of time to explain in detail, the geo
graphical features of all the States border
ing on the coast, when much more cor
rect and clear idea can be given by explain
ing the general features of the coast line
through half dozen States, and this de-
scription of the general. features of the
country can be extended to a description
of the main features of the earth's for1na-
ton.
A CLASS OF BOYS,
pupils Of our public schools, was then Or
ganized by Prof Lowenthal of Kentucky,
for the purpose Of demonstrating the theory
of ''Inductive" teaching. He illustrated his
theory by means of exercises on the black
board, and interesting, not only his class,
but the entire audience.
PRIMARY CLASSES.
DR.. j. Braden, then organized a class
from the County Superintendent, and
having first hung an alphabet chart over
the blackboard, he proceeded to teach his
class the alphabet in very numerous man
ner, but also in a way calculated to fix
the letters firmly in the mind
of the members of the class.
He explained that his object in this exer-
else was to show that the alphabet and
reading can be taught without the use of
spelling-books, and that, were it not for the
fact that some book agents were present,
he would say he thought it would be agood
thing if spelling-books were all burned up.
He thought that generally pupils are put to
reading long words without knowing their
Mr.. Williams gave all interesting descrip-
lion of the manner in which spelling is
5aught in the rural districts, citing the case
IF one backwOoks teacher who sent class.
% their seats for failing to spell "hOpping
,ow," after aiding them to some extent by
spelling the word himself, in this way:
p-hop, i-n-g-hoPping, Coll
cow.
On motion the institute adjourned.