River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-02-08
Educational.
III. y. BAKER, A. h. Editor.
COUNTY SuPrRIErESDEST.)
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION HELD
AT PRESCOTT, FEBRUARY Sd.

The association was called TO order
at 91s A. NJ. by the Supt., 80 being pres
ent, several others coming in during
the session. Miss. E. Watkins was APP
pointed Secretary, Mr. r. l.. Reed Com
mittee on Entertainment, Miss Florence
Olive, Critic, AIr. Sumner Farnsworth
Committee on Resolutions.
Miss Mary Walls gave an excellent
method of forming arithmetical la
bles, using the numeral frame and the
blackboard. The subject was then
discussed by the Association. 1t was
decided that concrete numbers only,
should be taught to small children
decided that Robinson's Table Book is
an injury rather than an advantage to
children, and that they should be
required to form their own tables in
arithmetic.
The next exercise was, The first five
topics given to child in Geography,
10y j. w. Gordon. LIST, School Yard,
2nd, Earth, Sd, Surface of the Earth,
4th, Township, 5th, County. The or
der of these topics was then discussed
by the Association. Mr.. Gordon rec
commended teaching a number of
chemical terms. Objected, that this
violates the principle in instruction,
that education should always advance
from the known to the unknown.
Recitation in Mental Arithmetic by
the entire Association, conducted by
Miss Anna Towey. The members were
evidently not prepared on the lesson
which had been assigned some time
previous. There should have been
more interest exhibited. Mr.. Corco-
ran continued the exercise.
Modes of Analysis were discussed by
the Association.
The subject of Lines was then given
by Mr.. Earthman. Definitions Of
point, line, surface, solid, and classif-
cation of lines were given. Subject
briefly discussed.
AT half past one the Association was
called to order by the Supt. The first
topic was Calisthenics in school; IL
Illustrated by class from the first pri-
mary room taught by Miss Haw. The
exercise was highly enjoyed by all.
\ heated discussion on Calisthenics
followed. A class exercise on draw
ing was taught by Miss E. Watkins.
The subject of drawing in public
schools was then discussed by Prof.
Earthman and others.
RECESS.
Discussion of the question, Shall we
grade our common schools! Discus
sion opened by s. A. Farnsworth in ia
vor of grading the schools. BY grad
ing school, the teacher saves much
time. A teacher needs one month,
perhaps more, before he can know the
child sufficiently well to teach him to
the best advantage. There should be
no more than five grades in any COM
mon school.
Decided that the time is not far dis
tant when each country school will be
as well graded as the village schools.
Mr.. Burr then spoke on the daily
preparation for work by the teacher.
The teachar must study continually
and prepare constantly his daily work.
The teachers were brought to the
confessional and required to state
whether they studied any time out of
school. Mr.. Earthman made some eX.
tended remarks ON the especial neces.
sity of preparatory work for the pri,
mary lessons.
Critics report was read by Miss
Florence Olive. S. A. Farnsworth read
the following resolutions.
ReSoLued, That we as teachers would
recommend that drawing and calls
themes he taught in every common
school.
ReSotred, That we tender our sincere
thanks to the people of Prescott fol
their kind and hospitable entertain.
ment and for their attendance at the
| Association.
The resolutions were adopted. More
than 100 were present.
Associations were appointed a
River Falls, on Feb. 9TH, at Trimbelle
| March Sd.
| ATTENDANCE.