Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-01-01
Centre County's Toiling Teachers.
TUESDAY MORNING.

gathered IN the court House at nine A. NJ.
on Tuesday, December %, County Super
intendent Henry A. Meyer In the chair
and few of the prominent lady and
gentlemen teachers present. One of the
important exercises was talk by Prof.
n. g. sch@ffer, Of the Keystone State
Normal School, situated at Kutztown, Pa.
He spoke on the subject of "Pedagogics."
The Institute has had the pleasure of hear
ing DIR. Scheffer on several previous ocea-
sions. His remarks on this occasion were,
rs usual, quite able. This WAS followed by
song by Miss j. Ettie Crane, of the
Shippensburg Normal School. The lady
is pretty little blonde, with an exquisite
voice and captivating manners. She
accompanied herself on the piano. A lady
whose name was announced as Miss Della
t. Smith was invited to address the Insti-
tute on the subject of Language Lessons. "
She also represents the Shppensburg Nor.
NAL School. Her remarks on this occasion
were merely Introductory 10 others on the
same subject. They were well received.
The roll, which was called at the opening
of the session, was repeated at this point,
and the Institute spent short time before
adjournment in discussing the advisability
OF issuing daily paper containing the
Institute proceedings.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
The presence of many additional teach
ers on Tuesday afternoon gave greater
interest TO the exercises. After roll call
Prof Scheffer was invited 10 address the
Institute on the topic Of "Spelling." He
reviewed in brief the different ways in
which this exercise is conducted in our
schools, expressing his opinion as to the
best modes TO be adopted. To illustrate in
what an execrable manner some of the
most accomplished scholars spell, he said
that Shakespeare was known TO spell his
own name in fourteen separate ways.
Numerous questions were asked the Doctor
at the close of the exercise. Miss Crane,
one Of the fair teachers from the Ship
pensburg Normal School, gave a lively
and very entertaining lecture on "Music
in the public schools" She said she had
right 10 make the statement that music
Is the most useful study in our schools-is
not mere accomplishment, but necessary.
She said that music teachers generally
have the reputation Of being terrible per-
sons. At the close Of her remarks several
questions we're asked her, and Prof Schmf-
fer said that the reason music teachers like
her are terrible is because when they
speak they find their way into the hearts
of their auditors and create a hcart-ache
there for long time afterward. Her re-
marks were success. Miss Smith then
gave one Of her excellent lectures on
Language Lessons" She showed that
children often come from their homes
speaking incorrectly, because their parents
learn them 10 do 80 at home. When In
school they should find teacher who will
by example learn them TO speak we'll.
Conversation, she said, Is lost art. Her
-
in regard TO the publication Of Institute pro-
ceedings, Mr.. ii. ii. Hershbergcr read q pre-
pared lecture on "The sine qua non
Of success in teaching" after which the
Institute adjourned. At the evening ses-
sion Miss Crane gave two of her delicious
songs, with Miss Smith at the piano. and
Prof. SchefFer gave his lecture on "Pesta-
lozzi, the Martyr of Pedagogy" The
lecture resulted In giving his auditors an
exalted opinion Of that ancient Italian
pedagogue.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
a much increased representation Of
teachers rendered the Wednesday morning
session much more pleasant than any pre-
vious occasion. After the formal morning
devotion and roll-call, Prof. SchmfFer re-
sumed the ever fertile subject of "Peda-
gogy.' In his remarks he exposed some
Of the false views advanced by those who
have discussed the thorough training Of
children. His remarks we're notably prac-
tical and if followed will result In much
good. The audience were pleased when
satsH Shtteh WIN tht ttauu " utllNfT
another Of her delightful conversational
talks on Language Lessons" They are,
she said, only designed as Introductory 10
Grammar. This time she spoke principal
ly upon the art Of learning quite young
children 10 form sentences from pictorial
illustrations. "The Maid Of Dundee" was
delightful song which followed, by Miss
Crane. On leaving the piano she resumed
her instructions in "Vocal Music" giving
an outline of how and what children In
the primary schools should be instructed In
this art. Ten minutes each day is sufficient
time TO spend. She believes In allowing
children 10 sing only 80 loud as they can
without taxing the muscles Of the throat.
Sweetness and naturalness are what should
meat aaasduauaixz ~, n..lstwataa 1tl.. IL.