Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1878-04-25
THE STATE TEACHERS INSTITUTE.
THIRD DAY, APRIL 24-xoRN1NG SESSION.

On music, f. j. Passmore, Mrs. Nastell and
Miss Flanagan; on Constitution and Bylaws
Mr.. Case beer, MISS Fleming and Miss Batter
man, Mr.. Bray and Miss Dunlap. This Com
mittee received instruction to report on Fri
day. The Institute then listened to paper
upon the subject of arithmetic by II. II. Howe
In which he stated that in his opinion as little
success was attained in the teaching of
arithmetic, yet no subject was moro interest
ing and important. He then exemplited the
kindergarten system of instruction very fully
and clearly and gave it as his opinion that tho
plan was the true one for applying the princl-
plos of the subject. 1t appeals to curiosity
which is the point of the appeal in the child
and which when aroused and developed pro-
duces enthusiasm. He gave some very inter
esting illustrations of the application of the
system, and urged its adoption i'll the public
schools and if we are not ready for that,
teachers should introduce at least portions.
He then referred to the requirements of
teacher in conducting recitation i'll arithme-
tic. He should thoroughly master the lesson
point should be selected and emphasized pre-
vious the demonstration. Accuracy should go
with principles. The Importance Of arrange
meut of time for illustration was insisted
upon and the whole manner and matter of
the best way of teaching arithmetic carefully
and intellgently presented Mr.. Howe spoke
from notes and thus extended his remarks
and illustrations In the
EXPERIMENTAL CLASS
Mr. Howe commenced with the greatest COM
mon divisor and least common multiple, and
explained how one number will contain an
other without remainder He then took up
factoring with illustration and explanation.
Then followed an complication of plans EN-
ployed to arrive at results i'll order to ascer-
tain whether the pupil thoroughly understood
the principles, from which to enforce the i'm
portance of demonstration, insisting upon it,
rather than separation, reason and method.
From this point he passed to interest, the
class performing the examples with rapidity
and exaotness In calling up one of the girls
he inadvertently remarked he wished a full
demonstration and didn't care whether the re
suit was correct or not. 4 member asked him |
now about the accuracy he had insisted upon
in his remarks Laughterl The time occu-
pied in the teaching of the class was inter
spersed withexcelentandv valuable suggestions. !
Tho exercise was decided success.
THE DISCUSSION
Was opened by Mr.. Bray, who enlarged upon
tho Importance of division as the fundamental |
principle of fractions. He thought teachers
too much confined to text books and too far
removed from the practiced matters of every
day life Miss Dunlap asked Mr. Howe how
no would explain the inversion of division.
In reply he made demonstration of the pro-
cess upon the blackboard. Miss Salkeld asked
Mr.. Howe whether he would take class thro'
division of fractions by rule without previous
instruction or principles. He replied in the
Affirmative and explained his reason therefor
Miss Batterman wished to know how the
amount of work suggested could be accom-
plished in the time allotted. Mr.. Bray re
piled that he insisted upon taking the time
and making the children understand in plef-
eronce to preparing for an examination at a
fxed period. Mr. Foote commended the pro-
ooss exemplifed by Mr.. Howe and enlarged
upon it, enforcing the value of the system
presented Mr.. Pike thought there was not
sufficient intellectual exercise in the school
,oom, and made a strong plea in favor of in
,ellec.ual arithmetic in an entertaining and
complete manner. Mrs. Mygatt wished to
Know of Mr.. Howe how he secured accuracy. s
he replied he did so by tests in the class az
line of recitation and if not satisfactory he
deferred the subject to the next day and ,
worked out the problem himself and intro,
luced original problems.
THE QUERY BOX II
the following qustiOns: "Should t
,upil be taught to print before he is taught to
,rite2" "Is hose garden hose) singular or q
,lural2" Chow is accurate pronounced!'
Let those who hear take heed" Parse,
UGH. cat what age should children be
aught the sound of letters!" 'Is not semi c
dion an unnecessary point! is molasses t
ingular or pIural!' Can any person be en- '
loyed to teach school before obtaining GER :
iicateH Under this question there were some O
INQUIRIES in reference to the duties of trustees, h
which were declared to be in order under the
RI