The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1879-12-19
Teachers' Association Report.

According to announcement the teach
ers met at the Normal hall, December 6
At O'Clock p. IN. The president, o. b
Wharton, took the chair, and announced
as first thing on the programme, a class
drill by Frank Kizer, subject, Natural
Sciences" with class of pupils from {
to 10 or IL years of age. He awakened
quite an enthusiasm. A drawing of a
lion and Cal, with teeth and claws was
placed before the class, to aid in the les
son. by careful questioning was devel-
oped the uses of the name, teeth, eyes,
claws, fOot-pads, &c, with their descrip-
ton, comparing parts with those of n
cat The lesson was concluded by a gen
eral summary of the animal as developed
during the recitation. After dismissinr
the class, Mr. Kizer explained a five
years course in outline, on the board,
which all teachers will do well to en-
anime
Then followed discussion by the
teachers as to the practicability of the
method IN the country schools. To
question, Mr.. Kizer replied, that in a
country school, that the matter he had
presented, should occupy two days Mr.
Edmonds thought at least Il week should
be spent on it; taking the claws for one
day, the teeth for another, the eyes for
another, and so on, until the animal was
completed.
b. 7. Davis thought there were some
very serious mistakes made during drill
especially haste, which excluded com
plete answers. Answers that would
show that the pupils had a clear, we'll
defined idea in good English, and also,
tended to compress the minds and con-
vey wrong impressions; also allowing
one pupil to do all the talking. Was in
favor of holding some back to some ex
tent, and having others do their share of
the talking and work.
Mr.. Joseph Hill thoroughly agreed
with Mr. Kizer in all but haste. Knew
the difficulty of presenting the subject to
a country school, on account of the diff.
ference in ages and grades. Some would
naturally do more than others He de-
clared himself in favor of studying
things with which the pupils were ac-
quainted, such as domestic animals, flow
ers, &c.
Mr.. Davis here arose to explain; he
thought these general lessons" under
which name the natural sciences are
taught, should not be so much as to cram
the pupils minds with facts, but should
be given to encourage observation, and
a type only be given of each kind with
how some were similar to
the type, and how others were dissimilar,
drawing from these conclusions that |
would guide the child in after life.
Mr.. SAKE said he had some time ago
made up his mind as to the impracti- |
bilityof introducing the natural sciences
into the common schools, because so lit |
tie could be learned in this branch with |
out serious detrIment to the other and |
more important branches; consequently |
what would be learned in this branch |
would be so little that it would all be |
lost, and be Of no practical value to the
pupils in after life.
A general discussion followed in which |
most of the teachers Joined, from which
we Gull the following: That what was
.aught should be so thoroughly done
hat children would not forget the type
and the similarity and dissimilarity of
other animals, for what is worth doing
1t all Is worth doing we'll" Also, aside
rom the actual facts learned the cultlva-
ion ofthe faculties of observation and
method would largely repay the pupil
in AFTER years for the time spent, for lit
is as important how they learn us what
hey learn"
Next was an address by Joseph Hill,
IN ''civil government" After stating
he ignorance of the people generally
lbout civil government and citing the
lnecdOte of the store.boX politicians who
,ould not tell the first lines of the CON
'titutiOn from
Now lay me down to sleep"
He showed the close connection be-
ween our government and our schools;
hat our schools depended on the govern
nent for support and the government in
utnre would depend on our educated
,upils. He spoke from experience of
he interest even the younger pupils
WINGED in questions ON civil government
md politics; and in their researches
would Often puzzle their parents with
questions that were of vital importance
md should be understood by all. Some
discussion followed throwing more light
m the subject. as to the best method of
time of beginning. duration
md soforth.
The time being spent the critics re
'ort was read, making some good correc-
ions.
Some important business was LEFT for
Iext meeting for want of time, especially
he question; '.Shall teachers be paid as
awyers and ministers are. according 10
he number oftheir constituents
Adjourned 10 meet the first Saturday
n January. n. w. SONNEDcBKER.
Secretary pro. tenn.