The daily gazette., 1878-11-16


ed penciling on fractions. He stated
that he required his pupil to know the
meaning of the different kinds of frac-
lions, the reason why and where. For
instance in putting down 4, he would
ask the pupil why 1t is the numera or
and denominator then he would ask
them wha. kind of fraction 1t was, and
they would tell him it was a simple frac-
tlon, and so on step by step.
1t being the hour of adjournment, the
institute took recess until 2 p. NJ.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The session opened at 2 o'clo ok Rev.
Mr.. Lewis Offering praye =
Superintendent Groves stated that
Middletown had been spoaen of as the
place for holding the next Institute.
Messrs. Eckel, Speakman, Palmer, Belts
and Grimshaw. members Of the Board
OF Education of this city, were present
thls afternoon. Superintendent Groves
extended to them a cordial invitation
TO the Institute. He was paiticularly
pleased at the resolution of the Board Of
Education OF Wilmington, in allowing
the teachers to attend the Institute
Without charging them for The day. IL
did bis heart good to see it. He thought
he should sound the news all over tue
State.
&c amman" was the first topic in order
Professor Reynolds was called upon to
speak again Oh the subject. The speaker
proposed TO talk with reference to the
manner II teaching English 10 the pub
lie schools that is the elementary class.
He tbOnU nUbf th.. I'm, aI, ha
varied. A child should never be tired
out; give the little hearts variety. He
thought they could easily give thought
aud sentiment to that little heart which
would take away all hardship. He
urged the teachers to love their work.
Mental Arithmetic was the next
topic. This was c.ass exercise, Mr..
Johns OF Newport, having his class Of
scholars Iecits different questions In
arithmetic, by fist gives the question,
aud the scholars giving the question
ana answer in reply. Mr.. j. would call
on any one of the scholars, aud they did
remarkably well. 81.
Superintendent Groves speaking ofarith-
metic, looked upon it as one of the most
impOr ant branches of our schools.
Professor Wiley said upon the subject
OF men al arithmetic, that he like many
others believed 1t has been run into the
ground. He did not say you should not
teach arithmetic, but it seemed TO him
there ought to be limit to this thing,
and that it must not be pushed too far.
Professor Roe admired the arithmetic
and said if the scholars would study the
arithmetic thoroughly they would be bet
tel in algebra. If he had dull boy in
algebra it was because he never studied
the mental arithmetic.
Prof. Reynolds was in favor of the
arithmetic, and he thought the only
reason the scholars could not generalize
was simply because they have had no
training TO it.
Mr.. Stephens said the boys who cannot
work mental arithmetic well, are the
boys he has the greatest trouble with in
algebra.
practical Arithmetic" was next in Or
der by Mr.. Stephens. The speaker
dwelt on the basis of per centage, and
gave some interesting blackboard exer-
cises upon this subject.
After the arithmetic lesson a motion
was made that committee be appointed
to correspond with the teachers of the
other counties concerning the reforming
of the the State Teachers Association.
This motion was discussed by President
Eckel, Superintendent Groves, Miss Fell
and many Others. The motion was car
ried, but the Committee was not appoint
ed.
EVENING SESSION.
The evening session commenced at II
o'clock the exercise opening with music
by the choir which was well rendered,
followed by prayer by Professor Roe.
Rev. w. G.. w. Lewis, delivered
lecture on "Limitations of Human
Thought" handling his subjectin an able
After the lecture the choir favored the
audience with some very fine selections
Of music an d the teachers of Whining
ton left for their homes on the 9:23 train.
Professor Harlan c)mpli mented the
teachers for their attend
lnee and for the careful attention they
paid to the exercises.