The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-09-06
Rlportcd for The AyiS d; htcligcnccr
Hartford County Teachers Institute.
MONDAY MORNING.

MONDAY MORNING.
Prof. Newell being absent the Institute was
called to order, on Monday morning. by Prof.
VIM. II. Harlan, A. b., Gs members being pres.
cnt After singing by the choir Miss Ilendon
presiding at the organ, and prayer by Rev. Il. NJ.
Cathcart, President Harlan addressed the In
stitutc upon its object and work The chair APP
pointed Miss llcndon, Miss A. NJ. F. Mitchell
and A. j. Brown as Committee on Music
The discussion on Orthography, lin which
most of the speakers preferred written to oral
spclling,) was opened by I. NJ. Cathcart who
favors teaching small pupils at the blackboard.
Has the lesson printed on it before opening and
believes good spelling necessary to intelligent
reading. Miss Barnes and j. w. McNabb pre-
fer written to oral teaching. Miss Bradley has
two lessons in photography per day. Varies
the exercises by dctation and writing Miss
Brown pronounces the word but once, thereby
securing greater attention during recitation.
j. W. Burkins would make photography the
pre-eminent study of the lower grades, and be-
lieves good reading is the outgrowth of the pro-
iicient speller. g. w. Nichols does not believe
proficiency in spelling is characterized by good
reading. Miss St. Clair teaches child who does
not know the alphabet the letters singy upon the
blackboard.
q. w. Nichols moved that critic be appoint
ed by the chair, which motion called forth con.
siderable debate, which was shared in by n num-
Der Of the members. A vote being taken the
motion was lost.
The next subject upon the programme-"Read-
ing; its place in the higher gradcs"-was opened
by Miss Parker who teaches pupils to speak MS
naturally as possible. Prefers the conversational
style. j. w, Carter ably advanced the opnion
that reading should be made the pre-cmncnt
study of the public schools, in all the grades
Miss Mitchell gives the first place in the lower
grades to reading and favors concert reading III .
s. HUFF would give more time to reading in the
higher than lower grades. }. w. Burkins has
found that the teachers make a greater failure in
teaching reading than any other study, and that
pupils educated in the cities are far better read
ers than those of the same standing otherwise in
the county. T. NJ. Cathcart attributes the above
fact as the result of the city teacher nstructing
but one grade. D. r. Smith would call attention
To the subject of the lesson in familiar manner
Does not believe in concert reading. G. W
Nichols, the eloculonist of the Institute says
that the sing song tone so prevalent in the
schools is the result of teaching various studies
by singing IN concert.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Rev. j. Is. Scarborough opened the discussion
on "llistory. Shall We have the History of
Maryland?" Believes that more thorough
knowledge of the history of our native State is
not only greatly needed but would be highly
beneficial To its citizens and the place to incui-
cate such knowledge ia in the public schools,
but would not permit it TO displacc the History
of the United States
Prof baird would teach the History of Mary
land, provided we could have n well adnpted
is not, MS most claim, study devoid of interest
Can he made the most interesting study in the
schools. Would endeayor to teach the philoso-
ply of history +. M. Cathcart and r. Henry
believe that the Introduction of n History of
Maryland would displacc the History of the
United States, and thus produce incalculablc
harm D. Il. Smith has his pupils write, to be
read at the close Of the week, what they have
learned of history during the said time.
Adjourned TO meet next day, after which the
IN tu nharsp ati nno MIL n1
TUESDAY.
The Institute was called to order by the Prcsi
dent. After the usual opening exercises, Miss
lletrck presiding Mt the organ, Miss NJ. NJ.
Ohicy conducted class exercise in grammar, illus
trating the modern system of teaching analysis
by diagrams, which was so ably performed that
all were convinced of the superiority of the
method, and prepared the Institute to enter upon
its discussion
j. w. McNabb regarded the system MS vastly
superior to the old methods and hoped the day
not far distant when the old text books, which
assumed to teach tho science without language
lessons and analysis would be placed on the re.
tired list Miss st. Clair teaches by diagrams
and believes the frequent correction of false
syntax beneficial. Prot. jackson places the study
OF grammar as metaphysical, but teachers must
cndeavor, as with proper application they can
to bring the technics of the science down to the
of pupils. G. 4. Wilson is sur
prised at the rapidity Of advance made by his |
pupils by use of the method, and favors its in |
into all the schools. j. W. Burkins |
thinks teachers should endeavor to refute the |
prevalent idea that grammar is OF no use but to |