The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-02-25
Minutes Of East Division Teachers
Association.

The meeting was called to order By the
President at 1O45 A. M There were present
a good many teachers from the eastern and
western divisions of she County, but we
thought there might have been n ore, as the
day was fine, and the sleighing excellent.
The first exercise of the day was one in
Penmanship, conducted by Jas. FIett. The
question as TO hoau pupils should begin to
write was discussed fully and freely by the
leading teachers also the height of desks,
and position at the desks. All agreed that
the desks should be of such height that when
the pupil is seated at the desk writing the
shoulders snould be of equal height. AS
regards the matter of position, the opinion
was not so uniform, but the best teachers
agreed that If pupils have acquired a free
motion of The pen, any position in which
they can write freely and easily, will be g.
good one. The thanks Of the Association
are due to Mr.. Potter for his many useful
hints which lie ga7e TO the teachers as the
result OF his experience. Supt. Brlggs
called for an expression Of the teachers as
TO whether it would be good plan TO have
a practical teacher Of Penmanship at the
Institute next fail to give tue teachers some
practical drill in penmansbip, and every
teacher preseLt voted thatit would be good
thing.
Next came an exercise In Arithmetic, on
the ,ubject Of Roots, conducted by Suut.
Briggs. Some numbers we're placed on the
board ard raised to various powers, also
square and cube roots extracted. ConSid-
eratle discussion was eicited as to what
an adjacent side was in the extraction of
the cube root Many useful suggestions
and hints were thrown out AZ to the best
manner or teaching this part Of arithmetic,
which we hope The teachers will profit by :
After an inierm ssiCn OF one hour we were
again calle1 to order by tbs President.
TIE first exercise Of the afternoon was
one in Physical Geography, on the subject
Of currents, conducted oy W, E. Wheeler
of the Western Divislon in the absence of
the appointed teacher. An outline of the
subject was placed on the black board by
the teacher Considerable speculation was
INDUCED in, as to the causes of ocsan cur
rents, most Of the teachers agreeing that
the subject is not as well understood a
could be wished. Glasses of currents aud
their distribution were also given, the teach
er occurring the members of the class to
name current and describe 1t. The effects
and influences OF currents were discussed,
and all agreed that they were beneficial
in keeping the water in motion. Next fol-
lowed an exercise In physiology. SuDJect,
Anatomy and Physiology of the eye and ear
An analysis of the subject was placed on the
black board. The different parts of the or
gsns were nared and described, and their
hygiene was also treated Of. Tie degree of
light that Should be admitted to read or
study by, was talked of Supt. Briggs
thought that many Of our school-houses
were defective in this respect, and threw
out some hints for the teachers to observe in
tneir school-rooms.
Then followed q discussioG on "How to
teach Geography" 1t was thought that
we teach too nreh political and too little
physical geography, and that to combine
these two, was the true way to teach Geog-
raphy.
Mr. D. Fl. Flett then introduced the sub
ject Of Botany, by taying that we teach too
much that is dry and uDinteresting and too
little that is interesting and useful. He
hoped that this subject would receive more
attention from teachers as he had intro
daced the study of Botany. with the very
best results.
Taken altogether the meeting was one
of the very best that we have had in the
Eastern Division this winter.
On motion of the Pres. the meeting ad-
iourned sine die.
JAMES FLETT, JR.