Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-08-22
ake. More composition and less parsing

wac UHO 1uCds
Rev. Nathaniel Nurse, graduate
from Fisk University, then gave an &C
count Of how grammar was taught at hi
school, and said that one good method o.
stimulating pupils in correct speaking was
the keeping of two lists, one of honor the
other of dishonor. An ungrammatical ex
preston was scored down against the pu.
pill who had made use of it and credited to
the one who corrected it. He had finished
the grammar course but grammar was
really something that could never be
finished, you were always learning some.
thing new.
Mr.. Coleman did not think the study of
grammar as it was taught in our schools
helped children to speak or write correct
ly. They were put to grammar before
their minds had the capacity to under
stand it. The driving and pushing of
children now days was what made school
So often distasteful. We must, both teach
ers and parents be careful to speak cor
rectly before their children and they would
learn to do so too. Never let an incorrect
sentence pass unnoticed. He had examin-
ed number of grammars and could not
make up his mind yet which he would use
in hisscoOOl; all were too elaborate, thought
that after all, though Smiths old gram
mar, had some defects, it was as good if
not better than any other.
Mr.. Pierce said that as Mr.. Coleman had
pointed out some Of the defects of Smith,
probably if Mr.. Yarbrough would tell of
some of its beauties, the institute would
adopt 1t, (Iaughter.)
Mr.. Marlborough thought that with the
exception of the rules on photography,
which Murray had and which Smith
lacked, Smiths was grand old gram
mar. He did not want any of the new
fashions in his English. and could teach
his scholars three times as much from that
grammar, as any other. Mr.. Y. spoke en-
Enthusiastically in the defence of Smith, and
said he could talk all day upon the subject
(much laughter).
DIR. Hamilton said their was no doubt
about the Importance Of the oral method
in teaching grammar, but text books could
not be dispensed with, and it had been de-
cided last year that Harvey's was the best.
It had been retained, and change should
not now be discussed.
The Superintendent asked if a plan
could not be adopted of teaching children
grammar before they were ready for the
books, and suggested writing upon the
board such incorrect expressions as are
most commonly in use, with their cOrrec-
tions in colored chalk, and making frt-
quent practical illustrations in this way.
DR.. Hamilton and others approved Of
this suggestion.
Mr.. Towberman agreed with the gentle
men who had just spoken. He thought
thoroughness should be aimed at. Work
at a rule until it was understood, if it
took weeks to do it.
Mr.. Quarles thought highly of Swinton's
method. Gentlemen spoke much of teach
ing pupils to speak correctly, but that did
not reach the writing correctly" an i'm
portant part of the science OF grammar.
It was there, in composition, that Swim
tons method excelled.
Mr.. Pierce said he thought DIR. Ruffner
was rather illiberal in limiting the teach
ing of grammar. Our people had to be in
structed for the purpose of sometime fill
ing our Offices-school trustees, and pos
sibly superintendent, and they ought to
have the best education that could be had
GEOGRAPHY.
This topic being called up, MIR. Grattan
said that DR.. Ruffner put it in the 9Th
school term. He thought that was too late.
Mr.. Calhoun said it depended much
upon the text book, when the pupil should
commence the study Of geography. The
Eclectic was good book for b. ginners
and as soon as they could read well they
ought to be put into it.
Mr.. Pierce said children ought to be
early taught something of the world they
lived upon. Great as is the ignorance
upon the subject now, it was much greater
80 years ago when he commenced teaching.
A great many then would not believe
that the world turned around. A patron
of his told him that he was teaching what
was not true, that he had proved it by put
ting rock upon the top OF gate post at
night and he found it there in the morning
lust where he had left it. (Laughter.)
Mr.. Jordan thought the study ought not
to be put off longer than the 4th year.
That was not bit too soon. Some parents
however, thought geography and grammar
ought not to be taught at all. One OF his
patrons told him it WAS unnecessary and
while discussing the question, mention
was made of the war in Cuba and boy
asked, where Cuba WASP Oh said the man
its somewhere out there back of Pendleton
and Bath. The Superintendent and
School Boards would have to stick to
the teachers and insist that these
important branches should be taught.
Mr.. Towberman thought that the study
Of o Biography should begin with acquiring
a knowledge of familiar objects, map
drawing Of rivers and mountains and the
state we live in. get the pupil interested IN
that way and then carry him on.
Mr.. Curtis ad, located putting children
in the primary geog raphy as soon as they
could read. They had good deal to learn
before they would come to maps. &C.
Mr.. Pierce made some further remarks
upon the Importance CT early impressions
in graduating ignorance, and while ne
would not say that the people OF Augusta
"a a class were ignorant, he would say
there was a great deal of Ignorance IN
Augusta county.
Ry reouest DIR. Hamilton spoke upon
4he subject, advocating the system as
tancht IN the Eclectic Geography. lie ex-
uIained fully the system and said the STUDY
of geography was made intensely inter-