The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-03-01
REPORT OF NJ. G. T. A.

! uItlI saturday, a. NJ.
In opening, the President expressed
his satisfaction in finding SO many in at,
tendance, which augured fair for sue
cessful meeting. Some general sugges-
tons were also given as to the tone OF
criticisms to be given on the various ex-
ercises. Heretofore they have been given
rather indiscriminately and have been
too severe for some of the younger teach
ers.
Our Constitution, which had been
spirited away so mysteriously year ago
was found by the former Secretary. IT,
vestigations unnecessary.
Mr.. II. Barns presented the following
bill, which, after being duly read, ex-
planned, and discussed, was unanimously
adopted, and Immediately telegraphed
to the Senator AMI Assemblymen of
A1anitowoc County, now in Madison.
The bill was as follows
Res0lped, That the members of the
Manitowoc County Teachers Associa
ton do condemn the bill now before the
Legislature, looking toward contract
| with d. Atwood or any one else, for the
publication of text books for school pur
poses, and making the use of such books
compulsory for period of fifteen years,
more or less.
ResoiUe1, That our views on the point
be made known to our Senator and AS
senblymen, now in Madison.
a class exercise in Primary Reading
was conducted by Mrs. II. Barns, which
was Illustrative of what may be done by
using the Word Method and if the ap-
parent thorough preparation of the class
was indicative of the usual degree of
proficiency attained in such a brief space
of time, the system is highly commend
able and the teacher success.
This exercise paved the way for quite
an animated discussion, the principal
point of issue being, whether it is well
for printing the letters of the alphabet,
to take the place of writing them. Some
one giving as sufficient reasons for the
former that, in after life, they can more
skillfuIly manipulate sign boards with
the magic words ''To Let and "For
Sale which greet our eyes SO promiscu-
ously.
After this exercise, Mr.. r. P. Cody
selected from the Association class of
sufficient scholastic attainment to CON-
prehand the difficult subject of Relative
Pronouns. After short drill they were
excused, and the line of criticism taken
mp, which at first seemed to be a vehicle
for individuals to hold colloquy upon
their own theories and not criticism
upon the manner in which the subject
had been presented by the teacher. One
of the members suggested that the exer,
else, which in its way was model one,
seemed more like an examination than a
development Of the subject.
An intermis3ion of few moments fol-
lowed, after which Mr.. Thomas Walsh
! drilled class for some minutes on the
subject Rules of Spelling. Had sufficient
time been allowed, in which to finish
what he 50 thoroughly and system atical-
| iy began, it would have been really
| fine exercise and one which could have
done credit to any teacher.
| Quite lengthy discussion followed !;
among the prominent points brought out
were: That the learning and applying
of these rules discipline the mind, and
although person is a natural speller
SILL he is benz flied by these rules. That
this tabulation should, as far as practic-
| able, be developed by the pupils, with
hints from the teacher.
The discussion upon the subject,
Needed Reforms in our present School
Systems, was opened by Mr.. John
/ Maggie. We will select from our volum.
lnous notes only the most important
ideas presented. This subject is one
which is discussed by outsiders as we'll
as by those in the profession. Teachers
are apt in some cases to be Indifferent to
| their work. Greater severity in exam
nations might produce more ability On
the part of the teacher. More attention
| should be directed to the correction of
defects in orr midst than fruitless efforts
| to affect the law. The literature of q
country is the true history of 1t.
Comparing the compensation of the
teacher with that OF ether professions.
we find it TO be qnite favorable, and fog
amount of labor expended to be suffi-
ciently adequate.
Want of pernanency in situation is
another plea offered by those who use
the profession only as stepping stone
to something more paying. Incompe-
| tency of teachers leads to this necessity
of change, and contract binding for
one year only is q relief to one Of the
parties, at least, when the twelve months
are finished. General disagreeableness
! of the worh-improven in this re-
spect nlust come from below upward.
The wants of the lower grades must be
attended TO ; n course of study must be
adopted to secure definite aims. What
viii aid the pupil must receive the first
attention, not W bat studies viii prepare
him best for the University.
Mr.. P. z. Maggie made few remarks
on the subject Deficiency in Teachers,
and said that the improvement should
be from within outward that there was
a lack of professional sympathy; that
talking at teachers 30 much caused them
to lose self-respect I; that the fault of