The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-07-11
THE T -7ACHERS.
Third Day Of the American Institute
Meeting

Third Day Of the American Institute
Meeting.
FABYAN HOUSE, N. H., July 10-The ex-
ercises of the Institute of Instruction opened
this morning with prayer. by Rev. G. B.
Mains of Bristol, CT. DIR. Pickard, President
of the University of Iowa. a former resident of
this region, was introduced and congratulated
the Institute on its session. He urged educa-
tors in all sections of the country to become
acquainted and push the good work
Gen. Eaton called on Mr.. Tweed, Supervisor
of the Boston schools, the Oldest member of
the institute, to crack joke. Mr.. Tweed ad
vanced to Gen. Eaton and doubling his fist
made as if to strike, when Mr.. Eaton accepted
the joke without the crack.
A discussion ON "The EXtremi SITS in Educa-
ton" was opened by A. c. Perkins, Principal
of the Phillips Academy, Exeter, N H. The
claim that any one text book is superior to all
others is falacious; those claiming superiority
show their Ignorance and narrowness. Too
much is respected Of text books which are
useful, but not all that is needed Teachers
should assist the scholars IN understanding
their studies and not be simply task-masters to
find the scholars have learned the lesson laid
down in the book. He favored corporal
punishment judiciously applied; and thought
He favored the normal school, and thought it
should have liberal support. There is one
class more intolerant than religious organiza-
tions, namely, irreligious organizations that
oppose good morals and the best interests Of
the people,
Jesse Bridgman of Cleveland, Ohio, Endorsed
the remarks of Mr.. Perkins and favored oral
instruction. He thought that under no Cir
cumstances should oral instruction be neglec-
ted.
Mrs. Knox of Boston gave description of
the condition of different schools visited by her
under similar methods of training, some of
which were successful, some not; and asked
that committee be appointed to devise a
system of study in each year in all the schools
in the country and have teachers make yearly
report of progress
Mr.. Harper of Maine urged the importance
of moral training and that teachers give this
subject more attention.
DR.. McVickar of Potsdam, New York, set
forth the claims of object teaching, and said it
was not alone fitted for children but for higher
grades there is nothing like having the thing
itself present when teaching subject He
said it should be called collective" not
''obiect'' teaching
Hon. John Hancock of Dayton, Ohio,
thought written examinations and exercises
superior to all as the resalt of his own eX-
perience, he having tried both methods
The "Topic of Oral Teaching" was opened
by Hon. j. w. Dickinson, Secretary of the
Massachusetts, Board of Education. He
described the means Of teaching orally by
blackboard illustrations, and claimed that
there is no other system worthy of the name
except oral or objective teaching. We should
secure mental culture, which fits one for the
work of life. The danger of this system is
Morals should be taught by the example of the
teacher. The text book should not be the
original source of knowledge, but pupils should
| be taught orally, then place books in their
| hands and they will take the place of the
teacher and call to mind what he has been
| taught orally
Rev. A. D. Mayo of Springfield, Mass,
| commended the remarks of Mr.. Dickinson
| regarding teaching morals. 1t is impossible
| to indicate good morals if the teacher does not
live such morals.
| Mr.. Tweed, Supervisor of the Boston schools,
| spoke of the objection by some to oral teaching
| that school books are thrown out of the school
by this methods. He denied this and said that
| in the Boston schools sinae the adoption OF
| oral methods they had increased fivefold.
Den. Eaton thought different pupils needed
different treatement; that some were reached
by oral teaching easiest, others by use of text
books; both systems should be combined.
G. f. Fletcher of Maine Endorsed and COM
mended the remarks of Mr.. Dickinon. The
| education of girls was affected by growth and
| physical development
DR.. Nathan Allen of Lowell Mass, ESSAY
| not read; will be published by the Institute J
in answer to the question of approved gymnas-
| tic exercises in schools, more light is needed
| ON this subject by teachers and parents.
Prof. Sprague of Boston G. G. Rounds OF
Pennington, Me-, and DR.. Hewitt of the
Illinois Normal School spoke favorably OF
their experience in gymnastic training.
| Prof Hoose of the Cortland IN. W Normal
| School thought individual cases of seeming
| benefit from gymnastic exercises should not be
accepted as proof positive of general benefit.
DR.. McYickar of the Potsdam IN. Y Nor
NAL school favored gymnastic exercises, and
thought the great cause of ill-health among
pupils was reading light emotional literature,
which units them for the study and impairs
physical strength.
sion.
The evening exercises opened with paper
| on the function of Latin and Greek in educa-
ton read by Hon. w. T. Harris of ST.
Louis. Hon. John Hancock announced that
the date of the meeting of the National
Teachers Association will be held in Philadel-
phia July Goth, Both and 31st He also an
nounced that the meeting of the International
Normal Education Conference would be held
at Thousand Island Park, st. Lawrence
River, August 18th to 10th inclusive.