The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-05-28
TEGHBR'Ss TALK.
The Institute held Yesterday
at the High School.
The Lecture of Miss Hodgson
on the subject of Reading.

The Teachers Institute, yesterday, on
account of the rains, was not as largely
attended as would have been the case
with more agreeable weather
The morning exercises was dispensed with.
as it was found that the limited attendance
would not warrant carrying out of the
prearanged programme.
An adjournment was accordingly taken
until two o'clock in the afternoon, when it
was given out that Mrs. Hodgson, author of
kongfellow, Whittier and Holmes Leaflet
would address the meeting on the subject
of Reading
THE INSTITUTE.
At 2:25 o'clock the audience was called
| to order by Prof Southwell, about forty
being present. Mr.. Southwell introduced
Miss Hodgson, who commenced her adj
dress which was in reference to rea ding in
schools. She noted the importance of
| teaching what to read as well as how to
| read.
| The teacher has to battle against all the
means of distributing evil literature which
are adopted by publishers of such, for
financial purposes. This must be overcome
in some way.
| The child must be taught to understand
what is read s,t-sight.
How shall we teach this, and at what
period of the school curriculum shall it be
introduced?
THE MODE
Give pupils an outline to study, not
cetain number of pages in any one book.
In history give to the class some character
or locality. Let them find the persons,
F.! events, dates, etc, connected Herewith by
outside reading, not paying so much at
tention to dates. Bring for
ward incidents clearly and forcibly.
and the chronology will take
care of itself. This viii lead the pupils to
read, and to try TO understand what is read.
The leaflets are exceedingly valuable for
sight reading, for a single leaf will often
attract where whole book will not, A
leaf containing one Of LongGellow's poems
will claim attention where a book will be
passed carelessly.
THE CHILDREN,
seeing book before them constantly, are
discouraged al the amount of work, while
they will work with one short selection in
order to reach the next These leaflets may
be used in the primary grades, for about
fixr IF tba hv
our best authors are easy words, capable
of being understood by small child. And
selections may be made which contain so
large per cent. of easy words that chill
dren may easily read them.
Miss Hodgsons talk and the discussion
ard entertaining, and were listened to with
marked attention.
After Miss Hodgson had finished re
cess was taken, after which
MISS ANNETTE BOWMAN
gave a lesson upon dictionary work. The
lesson was practical and of great benefit
to all, being mostly practice in pronuncia
ton by those present acting as a class.
The class reviewed briefly the rules of pro
nunciation, giving particular attention to
classes of words most frequently mispro
nounced. No exercise can oe more profit
able than this, considering the prevalence
of the fault it is intended to correct.
Prof. Southwell then dismissed the in
stitute, upon the the motion of Mr.. Gam
well, to meet again at time in September,
to be hereafter fixed The meeting to- day
is the last of series Of Institutes which
have been held in the county under the
supervision of Prof. Southwen.
THE TEACHERS
of the county who have been SO fortunate
as to attend have been greatly benefited
thereby, and, as one of these, your cores
pendent desires to extend thanks to Prof. |
Southwell for his earnest efforts in their |
behalf.
LECTURES.