Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-04-13
Teachers' Meeting Yesterday ongratula
tions on the ExaminatiOns-Addr o


tendance upon the teachers meetings. He
believed them of Importance, and he thought
no slight cause should interfere to keep any
teacher from attending the meetings. He
believed they were profitable, and he dis
liked to receive notes asking to be excused
because the writer was going to Minneapolis,
or some similar unimp0rtant or trivial ex-
cuse.
The superintendent, in referring to the
late examinations, remarked that the teach
ers could congratulate themselves upon the
interest awakened among parents and patrons
of the schools. He thought it would be pro-
ductive of great good. The committees re-
ports had contained many wise suggestions,
and showed our interest in the schools, which
would be the source of much encouragement
to the teachers in their labors. Mr.. Wright
concluded his remarks by reading these ad-
ditiOnal announcements:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS EXAMINATION.
Monday, April 2S-All grades, arithmetic. :
Tuesday, April 29-An grades, Language and
spelling.
Wednesday, April 3O-All grades, geography;
9Th grade, history.
Thursday, May All grades, reading; 7th
grade, history.
Friday, May 2-All grades, spelling.
PROdRAmME-ORAL EAAm1NATIONs
Thursday, April 24-Washington and Rice.
Friday, April 25-Humboldt.
Monday, April 28-Jeferson.
Tuesday, April 29-Neill and Vine street.
Wednesday, April 30-Adams.
Thursday May Lincoln and Mclean.
Friday, May 2-Madison.
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
Mr.. Campbell, principal of the High school,
followed with an argument in favor of "the
importance of teaching and learning the
English language" In speaking of the sub
ject, the gentleman drew the distinction be-
tween the teaching Of grammar and the Ian
gu ,ge itself. The former was taught, as it
we're, in a technical sense, and in no way was
the entire fulfllment of the requirements in
teaching ''the grand language in all the
greatness of its import, possibilities and
probabilities.
The address was logical and strong, urging
the adoption of frequent Language lessons"
A means to awake thought and clothe them
in proper expression; grammar might teach
the proper mode, but did not give the
power. In this connection he stated
that "the slang" of the day denoted the
| paucity of the people in words to express
thought; he thought this only could be over
come by practice, and a proper incubation
of language by the teacher. He or she
should in consequence not only be teacher
to the pupil, but also a guide and example.
The importance of expression on the part of
teachers could not be to9 forcibly impressed.
An ignorant man had but one word for an
idea; the educated had prodigal possession
in synonyms to express all and every shade
of meaning connected with the one idea.
The requirement of an extended vocabulary
and the import of the words of the language
should be subject Of daily study and dis
cussion between teacher and pupils. In con.
clusion, the Importance of teaching the
language was urged strongly and enjoined
upon all teachers.
LOUIS AaAss1z.
Prof. Slack, principal of the Humboldt
school, read an essay upon Louis Agassiz, the
great naturalist. The sketch, of course beo
graphical in nature, also alluded to the Crane
character of the man, and the great work hi
had done. His life was declared to have
been a benefit to the world, not alone tt
scientists but to mankind in general. Hi
devotion and submission to nature, love ane
admiration for the humblest object in nature
was spoken of admiringly and illustrated
| with several anecdotes.
TEACHING ARITHMETIC.
Superintendent Wright read an article
upon Grube's method of teaching the ele
ments of arithmetic. The professor related
in condensed form the method, and was il
detail principally interesting to teachers.
At the conclusion of the reading, the su
perintendent announced the following
Gen. Smith and Misses Miller and Shanle.
as a committee to consult and devise plal
for conducting the approaching written ex
} animation.
In connection with the matter of teach
ers' library, Superintendent Wright declare
it important and worthy the solicitous al
tention of all the teachers. Messrs SLACK
Taylor and Campbell we're appointed com
mittee to take this matter in hand, to Col
respond with publishing firms and to adoE
: such other measures as they saw tit to ful
Their the scheme to a successful issue.
The exercises closed with vocal music
Misses Brown and Dance, Miss Hitchcoc
: playing piano accompaniment, rendered
duet in excellent and harmonious styl'
Miss Browns clear, strong and melodiou
voice harmonized we'll with the less stron
but sweet tones of her companions happ
J, combination.
The exercises throughout were UNUSUAL
interesting, and though the school year
! drawing wearisome length along the teacl
I, ers seem to have undated interest in tn
8 voluntary duty of their professional life.