The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1876-07-06

/ Mr. Magic belleyed that the features OF q
good recitation consisted not in rer 6atim
reciting,g-o IN ideas obtained from text
books and expressed in the pupils own
words as far as possible That the latter
is indicative of thought, and shows that
merely ,cords. Teachers must not be spec
ialists, but must work generally. A teach
er must be master of the situation and IN
derstand what he is endeavoring to impart
to his pupils, as the same sympathy exists
between teacher and pupils as between a
speaker and his audience,
will rot pass for genuine thought or knowl
edge.
Mr.. Walker spoke of several faults he
had noticed in visiting schools; one was a
lack of plan on the part OF the. teacher.
Another want of enthusiasm on the
part of pupils which was due perhaps to a
similar want on the part of the teacher.
| He said the same lack was verified in the
present appearance of the association,
which depression of spirits he accounted
for in this way,-that the results of the
! Convention at Cincinnati were not alto
getber satisfactory.
The next exercise, claw Making" was
very clearly analysed on the black board,
by Mr.. Hussy. In his PREDATORY remarks
! ha of f,,p saia
this subject, that it was a standing question
in examinations. During this exercise a
little excitement was aroused, and We saw
gleam of the lacking enthusiasm breaking
over the association; the opponents waxed
warm, when just at critical moment an
apt quotation from Story, by one who
ought to know, adjusted the disputed
roint amcably. Some of the well-defned
points were:-lIow bill becomes law;
new amendments are made; reasons for a
two thirds majority; why the president has
not an unqualified veto.
The exercise was instructive, and the
asking of questions encouraged.
An intermission CT fifteen minutes was
granted about this time. after which we
listened to paper on English Grammar
by MIR Kirwan. As this paper is to be
published, we omit notes upon it, lie
prefaced the reading by few remarks:-
Teachers are too apt to bow to textbooks.
There is a philosophy IN Grammar which
many fail to find. Authors differ widely,
and the question should not be what does
the author say on that point, but what do
you think about it. ~
TIE last hall hour of the morning ses-
sion was appropriated to Mr.. Barns for
his subject, Polit cal Parties of L. S. since
the adoption Of the constitution.
Mr.. Barns believes in aiding the mind
by way Of the eye, and very clear idea Was
conveyed by the outline presented on the
board. +
There have been and still exist two
great parties, one fayOring the constitution
of power, and the other advocating state
rights. Difft rent names have been applied
to them, and many side'ssues have grown
/ out Of these two great divisions.
No time being left for discussion the as
soclation adjourned to meet at Is p. m.
Financial business detained Us for few
moments after the time for opening the
afternoon session, and at the formal open
ing, one member objected to being particu
larry addressed in regard to these financial
matters, but returned TO his former quies-
cent state upon being informed that no
offense was intended. Mr.. Mage read a
paper on School Examinations, which will
oe published entire. Some remarks were
called forth by the IDEAS advanced.
Mr.. Barns related his system of examin-
ations, and disagreed with the writer of
the paper in regard to frequency of exam
| nations.
Mr.. Kirwan agreed in the min points
but had different theories respecting other
IDEAS advanced. lie thought il the time
for writing was limited 1t might increase
avidity, but at the final examinations the
slow ones should be INDUCED. lie beHev-
ed that often dishonesty was >pracricel in
examinations and temptation should be re-
moved 8 n IS IS ~
Mr.. Flagg conducted an exercise in
Arithmetic, subject Ratio The remark
able feature of this exercise was the ex-
ceeding brillianey displayed by the pupils
of the class their chief aim being 10 try to
show the teacher that the ratio of what
they though they knew to what he was
striving to teach them was an infinitesimal
| fraction. The fact was that he persisted
in clinging to text books and 'tieyshad dis
49,. a-a ..-~--- .----r,-~~l.,-
IntermisSion of fifteen minutes.
Miss Sheldon selected as the subject of
her exercise, Comparison of Adiectives,
which she handled quite skiIltuly, con.
sidering the minis with which she had to
deal.
The remaining tine Mr.. Viebahn de
voted to the subject, "What should be
taught and what should not be taught in
county schools. lie first divided know
ledge into two classes; usefH and useless.