The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-09-08

"
of Augusta county met at 10 a. m. on Monds
last, 9Th inst, in the Y. M. C. A. rooms.
The Institute was called to order by SUP
Graltan who, after short and appropria
prayer, showed from his annual report mac
to the State Supt., w. H. Rufiner, for the SEES
ion of 80 and 81, that out of 10000 childre
of the requisite school age in this count
barely more than one-half OF 5000 attende
the public schools, and, from this fact, su.
gested as fit topic to offer the teachers pre-
ent for discussion the best means to increas
the attendance.
| After discussion, participated in by Messr
Calhoun, Pierce, Houff, Sicily and others,
was resolved that this Institute, through
committee of three, Messrs Towberman, Boob
er and Steffy, draft a report to be submitted t
the County School Board for their approval q
| their next meeting, and which, after it sha
have been endorsed by said Board, is to b
published, and copies thereof placed in tn
hands of each teacher for distribution anon
his patrons, urging upon every parent, war
or guardian, the positive importance of abso
lutte regularity in attendance upon the respec
tive schools OF this county, or at least so far a
circumstances will admit of the same bein!
done.
The hour of 10 m. having arrived, the Su
perintendent, after announcing that the view
of Prof Newell, of Maryland, in regard t.
changing the curriculum of studies in oul
primary departments would be taken up seri
atm for the evening session, adjourned thu
Institute to SPIN.
Recess over, Mr. E. Houff offered resolu
ton, that the study of history, especially o
Virginia, is, according to the sense of this In
stitute, one of the necessary studies for oul
schools, which was adopted without dissent
ing voice.
The further business announced in the morn
ing was then proceeded with, and the frs,
item, whether moral teaching should be stated
or part OF the daily routine of teaching, OF
whether it should be occasional, as circum-
stances might give rise to it, drew out the
opinions of several of the teachers. Mr. Sicily
concurred with DR.. Newell because be believed
that moral training was the more essential
part of the pupils well-being, and advocated
short lecture for each day, perhaps five to
ten minutes, on each one of our moral duties;
say swearing for Monday, breaking the Sab
bath for Tuesday, &C., &c. Mr. Tapscott said
he thought the teacher should always be the
exemplar. He believed in example teaching.
Mr.. Pierce contended for strict and stated
moral teaching; wait not for an offence to be
committed before giving lecture on morality,
but rather let the lecture precede the infrac-
ton of the moral code. The question being
put as to whether moral teaching should be
stated OF occasional, the former view was
adopted by unanimous vote,
The second item advanced by DR.. N was in
reference to teaching the laws of health not as
treated upon by Psychologists &C., but merely
from a practical and common sense stand
point
Mr.. Booker agreed with DR.. N on this sub
ject, and humorously spoke of the baneful eff
fects of the want of exercise and of childrens
overlooking their stomachs with the richest
diet, thereby causinga stupidity which renders
them wholly unfit for the pursuit of any study.
The proper way for teachers in lecturing upon
this as well as other subjects was to avoid all
personalities.
Mr.. Pierce followed in the same strain,
thought that children ought to cut, but in many
little ways they could be taught to observe
the fact as well as the reason of either their
imprudence or neglect in regard to the pres
ervation of health. Mr.. Sicily spoke of two
pernic.ous practices often allowed in Schools
one was the total disregard of proper tempera-
ture and ventilation; the other was the i'll
habit of STOPPING or bending over the desk
persistently, thereby contracting the chest and
endangering the health and mar
ring the beauty and symmetry of the child.
Of all animals, said Mr.. S., the strongest in
to its size is the eagle which is &C
counted for in the fact that it has the largest
expanse of lung and cavity for its bulk The
next method of Reform proposed by DR.. N.
was in reference to spelling. which according
to his views called tor radical reformation.
He thought the time generally devoted to oral
spelling shonld be given to written exercises
in the same, embracing composition and word
making in general. This topic evoked consid-
cradle discussion. Mr.. Towberman thought
spelling is of prime importance in every school
md favored the written exercise plan, except
n infant classes which were unable to write
Mr.. J. Beck, colored agreed with Mr.. Tow
l,/b ,l
Ill his life and there were some words he
couldn't spell yet. He too favored spelling as
ar as it could be done by the written plan |
lie spoke of the paramount Importance of con-
tant review in handling this subject. A vote
IN this head resulted unanimously in sustain |
ng the views of DR.. N.
The next topic introduced was the substitu- |
ion Of practice ia speaking and writing En-
,lish, for the heretofore generally pursued |
tudy of English Grammar.
At this point several of the teachers rallied
warmly to the support OF the old plan of
eaching Grammar
Mr.. Tapscott forcibly and pointedly took
round against the Doctor, and said. he could
lOt oCC III LIS lllO HAou VIC "OlC SOlAIS w SuU-
titute for the text of Grammar, if we discard
d the book. Messrs. Booker and Towberman
ollowed in the same line of thought, when
'upt. Glattan interposed by saying he thought
)r. Ms views upon the subject were not so
ully understood by the teachers He (G.)
bought it was the purpose of DR.. N, as set
orth in the extract before him, to teach more
nd better grammar by his plan, than in the
Id method, and now it was for the Institute
0 say whether the DR.. was correct or not.
he hour for adjournment for the day having
rived, the Supt. said this topic would be COLI
nued until tomorrow, as part of the unfinished
usiness of the day. The Institute was then
djourned to Tuesday 10 a. M.
TUESDAY.
The hour having arrived, and after enroll
ag additional names and short prayer by
lr. A. E. Pierce, the chair called the attention
f the Institute to the unfinished discussion of
ne day before.
Mr. Pierce in extended remarks contended
nat we cannot discard the use of either the
,xt book or the subject of grammar.
Mr.. Calhoun rose to oppose the views of DIR.
T., urging the importance of retaining the
ext Book as well as the subject Of Grammar.
Mr. Sicily arose to ask for information. If
rof. N. was right in teaching grammar by [