Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-11-07
THE TEACHERS.

Their Meeting Yes erdiay for Discussion of
Professional TOpica-T The Superin tend
Announcements for the Coming Month
The monthly meeting of the teachers of
the public schools was held in the assembly
room of the high school at 20 O'Clock yes
terday morning. large number of teach
ers were present and the exercises were very
interesting, being heard with interest by In
spector Donnelly. 1t may be said ZEN PEASANT,
that the interest in the proceedings would
have been enhanced had it not been for the
efforts of young man, the occupant of a
neighboring attic, whose frantic efforts to
squeeze the "Suwanee River out of crazy
horn detracted very much from the harmony
of the proceedings.
The exercises were commenced with an
exhibition by the pupils of Miss Davis Sc
leot class in elocution. The subject chosen
for the lesson was stress, accent, infection
or meditation of the voice in reading. Pas
sages were selected from the advanced reader
adapted to display the power and compass
of the human voice as expressed under the
influe ace of varied feeling or emotion. The
selections were recited in turns by the pupils
and lucid exhibition was given of the ad-
mirable method taught by Miss Davis.
Prof. Wright spoke briefly on his idea of
intoxicating correct methods of reading in
the public schools. The speaker thought
that there was a laudable tendency to intro
duce supplementary reading matter in the
public schools. The most enlightened edu-
Gators were now of the opinion that only a
single reader in grade YVES not sufficient.
1t was not enough for the teacher to employ
artistic methods in the lower grades; the
subject matter of itself should be of new
and entertaining character.
It too frequently occurred that pupils and
teachers alike came to know the contents Of
the readers by rots. Reading should be
taught as pen manShip or other branches of
learning, teach the lesson by doing il.
Miss Mayo spoke of the great power OF
emphasis on the voice, and illustrated her
meaning and showed to wonderful extent
the power of infieXiOn on the meaning or ex-
preston of the voice.
A piano selection was given by Miss
Croker, which was executed in charming
style and heard with pleasure.
GEOGRAPHY DISCUSSED.
The subject Of geography was taken up
for discussion and Prof. Baker made some
timely remarks
Swift had said that if one wanted to gain
the reputation of being sensible man, you
would have to agree, fer the time being,
with the person with whom he was convers-
ing. Unfortunately the speaker had not
canvassed the idea of those present On the
subject of geography. The object OF
geography was to teach the pupil tho result
of effects from causes; whatever was seid on
the subject would have application to this
principle.
The speaker first spoke of the best method
of imposing on the pupils mind the idea
of distance, which could best be taught by
illustrating the subject by taking for exam
Piles the objects of the schOolroom. They
can here learn why each object, the desk,
blackboard, etc, are placed where they are,
their distance, and their several uses. In
further illustrating the subject, the speaker
advocated the employment of the unit plan,
by which the mind of the pupil could be
taught accurate observations; first the school
room, then the yard, then the county, city,
State and other States and countries.
The objective system of teaching physical
geography was illustrated at length, after
which the speaker adverted to the methods
of teaching political government, which LIE
said could be best taught by employing the
unit system; first the head of the family,
then the school district, then the county,
State and general government. The speaker
closed by referring to the methods of teach
ing MATHEMATICAL geography.
Prof. Taylor. chairman of the committee
on teachers library, reported the financial
condition of the library. For 1879 AMI
1880 the receipts were $131S7; disburse-
ments $127.22; balance 1888. Present
Indebtedness $4367.
Superintendent Wright made the follow
ing announcement of meetings:
Principals meeting, Thursday, November
10.
Teachers grades 6, 7 and 8, Friday, No
veInber 49,
Teachers grades and 5, Wednesday,
November "a.
Teachers grades and 3, Friday, Deem
Der 3.
Teachers grade 1, Friday, December 10.
Meeting of grammar teachers, Tuesday,
November 16, at P. N.
General meeting, Saturday, December 4,
at 10 A. NJ.
Teachers will be paid, Saturday, December
4th, at the teachers meeting. Schools will
close on Wednesday, November "a, fol the
waek