Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-08-14
TEACHERS NORMAL INSTITUTE
Proceedings OF the Teacher Normal Institute
held at Lancaster, August 4th 90 I6sh.

INSTITUTE Room, Aug. Atm 1919.
The Institute was opened at nine
O'Clock by the conductor, Prof. Par
ker; his assistant, Supt. Holford
being also present.
AS is usually the case at Insti
tutes, there were few teachers pres
ent at the opening, but they cam,
dropping IN by ones, twos and three
cody and leisurely, all through tn,
day, from nine o'clock till five. A
night there were "a working mem
bers enrolled. This irregular attend
ance greatly disturbs the progress o
the Institute, causing much nois,
and disturbance, loss Of attention Il
work and necessitates the redistribu
ton OF blanks. Those teachers WHIT
live at distance may perhaps, b.
pardoned, but there is no excuse fol
the hardness of those living in the
village.
The first work was the filling ouI
of the blanks, and the distribution o.
syllabi.
The second exercise was discus
sion of the subject of reading par.
ticular attention being given to the
facts that the teachers reading should
be q model for the pupils; and that
the pupils should be made to under
stand all illusions in the lessons.
After this an exercise in arithme-
tic was conducted by Mr., Parker,
Much attention being given to the
definitions of the words arithmetic,
science, number, and figure. eThe de-
fnition of figure will be farther dis
cussed. During the progress of this
exercise some new and unique ideas
were developed.
The Institute then had short re-
cess, which was fully occupied in
making and renewing acquaintance
es with other members.
After recess we had lesson in
Geography, by Mr.. Parker. What
the Secretary best remembers is that
all lands, having an elevation of, 900
feet or more, are mountains or
plateaux and all lands, having an
elevation Of 1000 or less, are hills or
plains. In this exercise many facts
not laid by Guzot or McNally were
presented by progressive members.
This was followed by lecture on
Spelling by Mr.. Holford, to which
succeeded the task of writing list
of 20 words, pronounced by Mr.. Par
ker, a par. of which were spelled
orally by various members.
Next some remarks on the subject
of Penmanship, by Mr.. Parker,
dwelling on the necessity there is, of
the teachers infusing the pupil with
a desire to write, and of the expe-
diency Of the teachers having charge
of the writing-book out of class time.
The Institute then adjourned un-
til 2 o'clock.
The first exercise in the after
noon was a class of little girls in
Grammar, conducted by Mr. Hol.
ford. The little girls, who were to-
tally unacquainted with the study
of,the subject, displayedmuch thought
and readiness. 1t was upon the
whole, the best exercise of the day.
After this O class in reading was
conducted by Miss Watkins the
members taking part having, neces-
sarily but limited time for prepara-
ton.
A few minutes were then allowed
for recess. After recess the Insti-
tute gave attention to US. History,
the subject being Spanish claims.
To this succeeded q lecture on the
classification and arrangement of
schools by Mr.. Holford.
Mr.. Holford first spoke of the evils
arising from a change of teachers.
Then of the advantages of impress
ing a school with the idea that the
teacher thoroughly understands his
business. Also dwelling on the sep
aration of intimate friends or inve-
terate enemies in the school room.
Mr.. Parker continued the subject
bidding teachers keep posted on the
current events of the day. He also
advised us to be at the school house
early, that, in the language of Prof
Allen, we might conquer the host
in detail"
Some instruction was then given
on the passing of classes to recita-
tions.
Mr.. BARLEY then read an extract
from an article on the subject oil
Reading, by Prof. Carpenter, which
bad been selected by Mr.. Parker.
The extract was very useful and in
teresting and very well read.
SECOND DAY.
AUG. 5-The first work was the
calling of the roll, by numbers, mem.
bers responding by giving tho length
of time they had spent in study
since the previous day. A number
of members were absent.
Nj colla-ad thn ana-a~.xw ~