The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1874-05-28

Proceedinss erIesehsss' lnstis1es.
The tsachsss Of the -eonnty convened
q the court house on Wednesday, morn
ling in gsol sumbsr1 ssa shis die Srst
County Ipstitate was Organized
under a. favorable circumstances
a. could DO desirsd. A. Sheldon, Sec
rotary, read the proceedings Of the pre-
lim,nayy meeting Of lass October.
After roll-cali, prayer and singing, sever
al new members were admitted, and Mr..
A. Head elected Secretary for the day.
Mrs. Gulbsrson and Mr.. Miller were up
pointed critics. Attention was called
to the question box, by the Superinten-
dent. Miss s. G. Holden then occupied
the frat halfhour, bv consent, in dis
cussing tho objects Of teaching.
Theicachers present being questioned
as to their objects in teaching, replies
were elected Us follows, IN the order
Egiven to earn livelihood ; to direct
thought; the Improvement, mental and
moral, OF the scholar; sell. discipline; to
crafty y love Of teaching. The subject
was then further developed by discuss
ing the means of promoting these
objects.
Prof Hamilton, treating the sutjec,
Of Arithmetic gave, by request OF ono OF
the teachers present, An explanation OF
the reasor for the rule to invert The terms
Of the divisor and multiply, in the divis
ion of fractions. This rpic, always diff
Guilty to The learner aud frequently to the
teacher As well, was made perfectly plain
by the lucid explanation given. The
Professor then took up the subject OF
percentage, pretacing his remarks BY
the statement that it was common error
70 define percentage rs Commission
given for the use OF money, thus con-
founding it with interest whereas per-
ccntago ID not restricted to calculations
in dollars and cents, Is Interest is, but
cmL, aces all calculations in which refor-
encc is to be had to one hundred as. the
unit; for example, any percentage Of
tho population Of u city, could be con-
sidcred. lie thought the subject greatly
simp.iticd by treating tho principal, or
basis, rs one factor, tho rate por cent. rs
another, and the percentage as the pro-
iuct; then by the simple rulcs Tor fac
tors he variOus rules ior percentage
will be made plain.
Mr.. /. W. Lyon was then called upou
TO give his method OF instruction Oi
younger scholars in geography
His opiui0n il that geography can be
successfully taught TO tho youngest be
ginners. Frequently this study may be
introduced Us relief from other eXer-
cises, aud under such circumstances
might well DO limited 10 fiyesminuies,
and tho time occupied IN illustrating
with Or without globes or other appara
tus, the roundness of tho earth, tor ex
ample. Or, by calling the pupils at,en-
ton to the tact that many coMmon arii-
cles such AS tea and coffee are obtain
cd from other parts Of the world, Ind
describing the countries producing them,
attention may be grained and interest,
excited.
Tho critics then presented their re-
port, which demonstrated clearly that
teachers, like oil humanity, are iallible
IA doctrine formerly regarded rs high
treason, it we remember Alright.
Afternoon exercises began with sing
iny. Prof. Bishop in the cha;r-A.
Secretary.
After singing, an essay was read BY
Prof. Wilson, Of Solomon, subject-righ,
methods Of teschisg history.
Prof. Wilson gavs some very cxeccl
lent illustrations of his method OF teach
ing history by tho use OF printed cards,
each recording some important his,ori-
cai event, and giving in connection
with the Same, motto to assist the
powers Of association.
Prof. Wilson was followed by Mr..
Hiram uamer, OH vocal ard elementary
sounds. Mr.. uamer handled the sub
jsct admirably, prsdicating bis remarks
on the tact that thorough knowledge
Of the subject on the part Of tho teacher
is absolutely necessary 10 insure success
in giving instruction.
After Mr.. llumer, an essay was read
by Mrs. Fannie Clifford subjeci-how
10 teach.
This essay was Yc,l prepared, and ex-
pressed many excellent aud instructive
traths.
Prof, Bishop then addressed tho In
st:tuto on the theory and practice vi
In his remarks, he dwc!t more cs-
peciaiIy upon the subjoc. matter taught.
Ills remarks were happily illustrated
and we'll received. lie confined his re-
marks to the qualifications ot teachers:
LIST, as to subject matter taught, insisting
Ina, there should be perfect knowledge OF
the subject and that tho knowledge
should have the right form. lie shsuld
bs able to give the rationale OF every
aoio to anslyzc it. In addition,
should have knowledge Of the Pniios0-
ply Of history and Of the phenomons Of
mind; as bo has ;o::do with mind be should
its operation.
Prof Hamilton ,hon conducted an
Exercise in calistaenics, which was fol-
lowed by singing and recess.
After recess the tiias was devoted 70
general discussion.
In the evening Prof. Boyle gave
lecture on experimental chemistry, con-
lining his attention to the air We
brc.ihe. fhc cxper ments given were
successful.
Ate O'Clock \. H., Thursday, the ln-