Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-08-12
from Daily Chronicle, Aug. 5 J
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.
other teachers ArriVed-AnOther day
Probably Spent.
SECOND DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

yesterday morning at the Bell House,
aud, after music by the choir, prayer
was offered 10y Prof. NJ. c. Butler. The
minutes Of the preceding day were
read and approved, after which the
critics report was received and the
critic himself criticised The chair
mali appointed Miss j. G. Ordes, of st.
Louis, critic for the day.
Prof. Sharp led class in vocal ele.
ments, entering more thoroughly into
the work than on the preceding day.
The phonic method of spelling was
admirably illustrated. The same class
was drilled in reading from lesson in
Buffers Fourth Reader, each mem.
Der of the class criticising the mistakes
of the other. ...
A class in mental arithmetic was
then heard by Prof. Presnell, after
which a recess of ten minutes was had.
After recess, during the hearing of a
class in Practical Arithmetic, Profess
sor +. G. Beaman illustrated his
method of teaching notation and nu-
meration.
Prof. Sharp illustrated practical
method of teaching English Gram
mar, by selecting from the reading
lessons all the words of any particular
part of speech. A short, well. directed
drill in this wa, scarcely ever fails to
enable children in a very short time to
readily distinguish the parts of speech.
The questions from the query box
afforded much entertainment, and
some instruction. The practice is to
al ~ To
questions in the box during the day.
AT stated times these are read by per-
son appointed for the purpose, while
another appointee Idesignates some
teacher who must rise and answer the
question. Questions of all kinds, and
in every conceivable shape, in rela~
ton to educational matters, are drawn
forth. This proves one of the most
interesting features of the exercises.
Adjourned till $50 p. NJ, with music
by the young ladies of the Knoxville
High school.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was opened
by class in penmauship, by Prof.
Sharp, of Maryville. Slips of paper
were handed around, and quite large
class took part in this exercise. The
Professor gave the class a method of
penmanship which he favored, though
there were Il number of methods, and
he did not give this as the method.
The class will again be taken up to-
day.
Next in order was a class in map
drawing, by Prof. Sharp, which was
quite interesting; and at the request
of Prof, Presnell, Prof. Butler made
some remarks on the subject, which
were strictly to the point. Dnring the
hearing of this class, Miss j. G. Ordes,
of st. Louis, the critic of the day,
made some splendid points, and as
usual, some happy hits.
Next in order was class in United
States history by Prof. Presuell, from
the settlement of jamestown to the
Revolutionary war. He illustrated
how he would teach history, one of
his methods being to use maps on the
blackboa in connection with the
books.
One Of Prof. Buffers daughters fur
nished some excellent music, after
which there was short recess, when
the exercises were again opened by
singing, Miss NJ. Z. Jackson presiding
at the organ.
The first on the programme after re-
cess, was class of ten on written
spelling. after which this subject was
pretty thoroughly discussed, and judg-
ing from the tone of the discussion we
are of the opinion that the teachers are
almost unanimous in pronounciug this
the method of teaching children how
to spell.
incentives to STUDY next occupied
the attention of the teachers under the
following classified heads 1st, Prizes /:
I'd, Emulations Sd, Fear of punish
ment 4th, Ridicule 5th, Honorable
position in the Glass.
Mr.. II. f. Curtis thought that Sd
and 4th heads were no incentives TO
study at all. A child from fear of
punishment hever learned lesson
thoroughly, nor became acquainted
with the principle governing the case.
Prof. Presnell, Of Jonesboro', doubts
the propriety of offering prizes.
Prof. Wilson, of MOrristOwn, had no
doubts about it. He felt certain in his
mind that offering prizes did not pro-
duce good results.
Mr. Kinds, of Union county, felt
satisfied that prizes were incentive.
He had taught school for five years
aud had always offered prizes and
found them great incentive to study
and help to his school.
Prof Goforth, ot Messy Creek, ques-
toned the propriety of offering prizes.
He had always found difficulties in
having prizes awarded correctly. The
committee often made mistakes and as
"a consequence hard feelings would be
the result. He thought an honorable
position in the class, should be made
the chief incentive.
Prof. Butler favored offering prizes.
Farmers, Mechanics, &c, are offered
prizes, and why take this healthful
Incentive from the youth. All tie
principle Colleges in the country are
offering prizes. He thought prizes "a
powerful and healthful incentive, ii in
the hands of judicous teachers.
Mr.. Love, Of Knox county, expressed
himself as opposed to Offering prizes
in the common schools, especially as
the teachers are not able to offer prizes
of a sufficient value to make them
really an incentive,
The President then announced that
the time was up for the discussion of
this subject, but hoped that it would
be brought up again and be thorough
ly discussed, as he considered it a sub