The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-02-03
SATURDAY. Jan. %, 1876,
Meeting called TO order at 9:15.

President stated chat as there were va
cancies in the programme longer time
than what was originally assigned would
be given to the appointees present.
Mr.. Niebahn opened the discussion
of the first subject On the programme
The Principles and Aims OF School Gov
eminent. He stated the first object OF
school discipline to be the formation of
good habits. 1t should not be made to
subserve the ends of teaching, merely,
bnt should prepare the pupil to be a
good member of society, and to respect
law. School government should be
such as exists under tne parental roof.
AS the school is an absolute monarchy
having the teacher as its head, he should
be considered first. He should be, in
ali things, what he desires his pupils to
be. The teacher should be model !;
for this reason the education of girls
should be confided to ladies, and male
teachers should have the charge OF the
boys after they have passed the period
Of childhood. The four cardinal princi-
pies OF teaching are Vigilance, Sense of
Order, Sense of Justice and Consis-
tency. The teacher should guard
against faults III himself, and should
watch his pupils, not to occur in school.
The object OF rules is to supply guide
for teacher and scholar. do Good" is
too indefinite to be Of value. The teach
er should be just in bestowing rewards
and infiicting punishment. He should
consider the motive which actuates pu-
pills. II it be good, he should consider
the best incentive to it's continuance if
had, the best preventive. The teacher
should be consistent; should enforce
rules without being tyranical.
Miss Barre read paper on How to
Teach English Grammar. CAS- this pa
per viii be published entire, no synop-
sis is here given
In the discussion which followed MIR.
Kirwan said hewished to emphasize some
points well made by the reader Of the
paper. In teaching grammar the text
was often repeated, without any regard
to the sense. No real knowledge is ever
acquired by this parrot-like process.
Definitions and statements should be
Analysed, and, if necessary, simplifed,
SO as to bring them within the compre-
hensioG of the pupil. 70 illustrate his
remarks he dwelt on the manner Of
teaching conjugation of verbs.
Mr.. Walker stated that he bad given
considerable thought, Of late, to the sub
ject Of English Grammar. From the
opinions formed by such reflection he
felt that grammar, as generally taught,
was almost worthless. It is not practi-
cal enough. Scholars are no more COZ
rect in their use of language with
knowledge of what is denominated
grammar, than they were before &C
quiring that knowledge, In Swinton's
Language Lessons is sufficient grammer
for common schools,
Mr.. Viebahn thought the Technology
of grammar rather unfortunate.
The teacher to whom was assigned
Pronunciation OF Geographical Names
not being present, Miss Bacon conduct
ed the exercise.
In their pronunciation the teachers
constituting the class demonstrated that
different opinions may be honestly en-
tertained, and that the sounds represent
ed by combinations of letters may be
va1iously rendered. No member sought
distinction each had an abundance
thrust upon him. Some were conserv-
ative, and would rather accept a number
of RECOMMENDATIONS than differ from any.
There seems to be no affinity between
geography and pronunciation.
Music in Common Schools was tcpiC
treated by Mr., lfa1as. lie stated at
the outset that music may be taught by
any one through perseverance. He
proceeded to construct and explain the
scale, having the teachers prosan6 sing
the notes when placed. Whatever
knowledge of music the Secretary dis
plays in this report has been gathered at
the Association. Adjourned to ] 30
z. NJ,