The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-03-13
TEACHERS INSTITUTE OF CECIL co.


Lucy LdrcoH, in 81. Nicholas for March.
TEACHERS INSTITUTE OF CECIL co.
FOURTH ANNUAL SESSION, HELD IN PORT
DEPOSIT, FEB. 22ND TO 26TH, 1875.
The Institute was called to order at 2
o'clock P. NJ, by the President, Pro-, IL &
Newell; F. S. Everist, Secretary. All the
members of the School Board present.
The exercises were opened with prayer by
Rev. J. Squier.
After calling the roll, it was found that
nearly all of the teachers of the county
were present.
Prof. Newell gave some lessons in geome-
try, giving teachers to understand that at
the next annual examination they would
be required to be examined in that branch.
Miss Sarah S. Rice, of the Western Fe-
male High School, Baltimore, was intro
duced, and made few remarks as to the
teaching and purpose of elocution.
Many persons deem the art of expressive
reading difficult of attainment, whereas it
is perhaps among the most easily acquired
of the branches taught in the schools. An
important point in the outset, even in a
very young student, is to get rid of the
idea that an unusual undertaking is being
attempted. To read we'll is to talk we'll;
all the efforts of art are only excellent as
they reproduce nature. Reading aloud is
often mere routine, saying over of words,
only. This habit should be broken at once
in the study of elocution, and the student
induced to think; having accomplished this,
suitable as well as accurate, vocal express
sion soon follows; indeed, often impercepti-
bly, on the part of the reader. If the prin-
ciples of elocution, knowledge of which
should be instilled at the same time, only
more gradual, as the awakening of the
thinking faculties, two may be absolutely
accurate, viz, the thorough sounding of the
letters of word, more especially the con-
sonants, then the correct acceDtuation Of
the syllables; after these, the remaining
principles may be influenced by physical
or mental capability. Something may be
gained by every student-some degree of
excellence attained; and surely our noble
English tongue, SO full of varied ltera-
ture, of science, of the learning gathered
from the treasures of the world; and withal
so expressive in it's combinations of sound
and sense in language, is worthy all the
care which can be bestowed upon it. All
n,
though the intention be to amuse; idle
'oords should not be employed, for the OBJ
ject is an enlargement of experience and
edification of heart or mind. She then
read poem by Alice Cary, with two other
selections.
On motion of Mr.. Quigley, vote of
thanks was rendered to Miss Rice.
Adjourned until 7:30 p. NJ.
MONDAY EVENING.
There was quite good attendance. Rev.
J. Squier introduced II. V. McCully, Esq,
of Philadelphia, who held the attention of
the audience for two hours, by reading
from Shakespeare, Dickens, Carlton, Mark
Twain, &c.
Adjourned until 9 clock Tuesday morn
ing.
TUESDAY MORNING.
Rev. j. Squier in the chair. Exercises
were opened with prayer by Rev. T. J.
Aiken.
After roll call, the subject, "Organiza-
ton of Schools and Classification of Pu-
t,ly nd h1yM Mr.
Calhoun, Miss Mary Way, Miss Biddle,
Mr.. Quigley, Mr.. Hendrickson, Mr.. Watts,
Mr.. Meleney and Miss Walker; all think
ing that classification was working as well
as could be expected under the circum
stances, though they had good many diff
ficulties to encounter between pupils and
parents; some parents Directing to their
children being put in lower class when
the teacher was of the opinion they could
Judge where the child was fitted to go.
They were all of the same mind that they
could not get along without a proper organ
ization. Mr.. Aiken thought without uni
form textbooks the teacher could not Or
ganize correctly; have as few classes as
possible, as it will save time and do more
justice to the pupils. The main idea is edo
right" impress on the mind of the child
that it comes to school to learn. Mr.. Squier
held to the idea that you must stand in the
place of the parent, with a parents respon-
sbility, always tempering correction with
love and not for the purpose of revenge.
Prof. Newell thought our schools were not
organized and classified as they should be,
and his advice to Commissioners and trus
tees was, if teachers could not organize a
school in one quarter to remove them at
once. Mr.. Aiken asked how he would get
along with two teachers in small room
Prof. Newell thought it was a poor teacher
who could not get along without difficulty.
He then continued his geometry, after
which the Institute adjourned to clock
Z. NJ.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
Institute was called to order at 9 clock,
when Mr.. Biddle made a statement in re
gard to the organization of a Teachers
Association of the First, Second and Third
Districts; spoke of it as being of great
advantage to teachers. and of the pleasant
and instructive meetings they had, and
thought they could not get along without
it.
The subject, " Classification of Pupils"
was continued, when Mr.. Weems spoke of
the difficulty he had in grading his school,
from the fact that many large pupils, who
only attend school during the Winter, are
DESTROYS of not studying some of the
branches embraced in the grades, especially
geography ard grammar. Some of the
parents Object 10 their children being put
back in their classes on account of their
deficiency in some of the branches en-
braced in the grade; some of the parents
also wish to have their own choice in re,
gard to what school their children should
go; spoke Of the school he was teaching at
Chesapeake City, where they have two
buildings; in one of which two teachers
occupy one room and the principal the
other; in the other building there is but