The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1880-04-16
The Use of Rock. OF Reference.

The Use OF Rocks OF References.
The following very practical thoughts
we clip from the Western Educational
Journal. published at Chicago, Illinois.
II is valuable TO both teaehers and pa
irons:
There is no doubt that too little use is
made of books OF reference in schools of
all grades Many teachers Go not under
stand how to use to the best advantage
even the unabridged dictionaries: fail
ing in this knowledge themselves how
can they instruct their pupils when and
how to use themg One of the most i'm
portant qualifications of thorough and
successful teacher Is the ability TO teach
pupils how to use other books than their
text books Mere knowledge of what
the text book says upon any subject is
not sufficient; the pupil should be taught
how to supplement this knowledge by
the constant and proper use of books of
reference. Even the peculiar shade of
meaning IN a single word, as used in one
connection rather than another, will oft
en- throw food of light upon the sub
ject matter in hand, and this may be had
by a single reference to the dictionary.
The master mechanic does not expect
his apprentice TO become a thorough
workman by verbal instruction alone;
he shows him how TO use his tools to the
best advantage. So with the teacher.
To make good scholars they must be
taught how to use their books of refer
ence; and these should be provided IN
every sehool-room with liberality. The
unabridged dictionary, of course, and
with this the geographical gazetteer, the
large atlas and globe, and the biographi-
cal dictionary, and, in the higher grades
OF schools, one of the best encyclopedias,
| and ali of these should be consulted by
pupils under the teachers guidance, as
often as possible, until their use becomes
familiar to all. In this way will the pu-
| pills habits of observation be cultivated,
| their ideas broadened, and a spirit of
thoroughness be impaired which will be
invaluable in later life. The man who
knows. how to investigate a subject is
the man who will become master of it.
The Lyon County Teachers Association.
The association met, April Sd, in the
high school room, above 1. d. Fox & Cos
store, Superintendent Wharton in the
chair.
The first exercise, song, was omitted
as Mr.. Kennedy was unable to sing. Miss
Juka Keeler then gave select reading
The Rhyme of the District School,
which was well rendered, and appreciat
ed, we think, by each member of the as
ISOLATION. Supt B. F. Davis then follow
ed with "The Requisites of Successful
Teachers Association" The subject wa
well handled, and the wisdom of thost
remarks cannot, perhaps, be fully appre
| .ia fa1 1,ryty NaaalaoVu till 10 =
earnest effort to put them in practice
Messrs j. II. Hill and Spangler, of Neo
sho Falls, took part in the discussion.
The 'Class Drill in Primary Geogra
phy,.' by Miss Maynard, of the Emporii
city schools, showed skill and thorough
ness of work. Her class consisted o
pupils from the schools of the city. TIL,
desire of a majority of the teachers
however, was, doubtless, to know jus
the method pursued by the teacher il
each step of her work. Miss Maynard
S explained the general plan of the work
and the course of studying geography
us pursued in the city schools of Empo
: ria, was more fully explained near tn
: close of the session, by Mr.. Hill.
4 The discussion on the subject, "Shal
we Danish the spelling book ~ was open
I ed by Mr.. Dryer, followed by Messrs
Mcmahon, Hodge, Sonnedecker, Span
n gler, of Neosho Falls, and others. TIL
general expression was that we are nc
yet ready to lay this book aside, thOugl
some were in favor of abandoning ii
use in all the lower classes.
1t was gratifying to notice the marke
improvement in attendance and interes
manifested at this meeting, yet there ar
= many more teachers whom we shoul
= like to see present.
1t Association adjourned to meet ON tn
first Saturday in May.
NJ. C. HODGE, Sec'y.