The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-07-26

philology, as pertaining to the Eng
lish language, would be practically
overturned by such radical change
in the construction of the English
language. His remarks were received
with favor by the Institute.
Miss Florence Smith spoke favor
ably of both the oral and written
methods of teaching photography;
taught her pupils to write at an early
age, and always endeavored to diver
sify the spelling exercises.
Mrs, Morse said she adopted both
the oral and written systems; that Mr..
Moore had made suggestions new to
her, which she should test.
S. c. Adams then spoke of the
methods adopted in the public schools
of Cincinnati.
Miss Minnie Hathaway read an es-
say on "Physiology in the Public
Schools" 1t contained some good
suggestions, and as it is short and to
the point, it is published elsewhere in
this paper.
INSTRUCTION IN PRIMARY READING.
This subject was introduced by
Miss Florence Smith. In her schools
she put pupils at writing or printing
at six years of age, and combined it
with their earliest reading lessons.
She invariably gave short lessons and
required complete mastery of them
before proceeding farther in the book.
Her third reader classes had but four
or FIVE verses for lesson, and these
they were compelled to write.
DIR. Rowland said there was great
deal to be gained in reading by sound.
The ear should be trained as well as
the eye. AS an illustration of a
method for sharpening the sense of
hearing, and also for riveting the at
tention of pupils, he called class of
girls and pronounced words to them
rapidly, to be spelled rapidly and
without pronouncing the syllables or.
the word.
F. A. Moore suggested variety III
reading; objected to the arrangement
of school readers, and would intro
ducc the newspapers and other cur
rent literature into the reading class
cs. "Variety was the spice of life"
and if class would be advanced ra-
pidly no means should be lost to
claim the attention and awaken the
interest of the pupil.
Homer Hathaway favored thorough
work in reading; it was of the utmost
Importance. He generally required
his pupils to scamp" by the lesson un-
til it was learned.
The President asked for suggestions
relative to the ''sing-song" tone IN
reading, often SO common among pu-
pills.
DR.. Rowland thought one of the
causes of this fault was that pupils
were advanced too rapidly from one
book to another. They drawled out
their words because they could not
quickly apprehend their pronunciation
and meaning, the same as speaker
will often drawl his words because
not knowing on the instant what to
say next.
Miss Smith thought that variety in
reading would help to prevent the
"sing- song" tone. Recommended
reading in concert.
The "Query Box" was next opened
and both instruction and amusement
derived from the questions drawn
out.
At the evening session, the attend
ance was large. After music by the
choir. the welcome address was de-
livered by Mrs. N. E. Morse, respond
ed to by Homer Hathaway.
Miss Annie Hoyt read Carleton's
poem 1.-THE Editors Guests" after
which Eugene Semple, Esq, was IN
troduced, who read an able address
on the "Constitution in our Public
Schools" A song, "Oh, Could !
Teach the Nightingale" was sung by
Mrs. Yeargain and Mrs. Giltner. Miss
Minnie Perry read poem entitled,
"The Lips that Touch Liquor Shall
Never Touch Nine" Mr.. Moore
read "John Msynard," which was de-