The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-11-17
Teachers Institute.
MORNING SESSION.

r
Rev. B. +. Benson The roll was called aud
sixty-one teachers answered to their names.
Mr.. Mitchell addressed the teachers, saying
that he hoped they would overlook any mis-
takes which he might make, seeing that he was
inexperienced in the affairs of the position TO
which he had recently been appointed. He
hoped, also, that every teacher would discuss
thoroughly, not only the particular question 10
which he or she had been assigned, but any
subject which would come up befoe the Iusti-
tute.
he first question discussed was-"What is
he proper method Of teaching photography Y"
Mr.. j. Martin McNabb, sad that The pupil
should ie taught 10 pronounce correctly, as lie
very often learns TO spell AS he pronounces. lie
Thought that the method of teaching orthogra-
ply by writing Oh states or in blank books, from
iiciatioD, which is, generally, the method em
ployed in our schools, would not be sufficient in
itself; and while he considered II better than
he old method of standing in II class aud spell
ing orally he did not think that the old class
drill should he entirely dispensed with.
Mr.. N. o. Stokes SAID that "teaching orthog
raphy was one of the big jobs The teacher has 10
perform" No fixed method of teaching or
biography could be laid down, fer method
that would suit one teacher might not suit ALL
other "rhe knowledge of the proper way TO
spell word" said he, sis gained by sight
Ion therefore, he considered a decided i'm
provement on the old method of standing in
class. He regarded spelling as mechanical
operation"
The question was further discussed by Misses
Emma s. Smith, Matte g. Richardson and
Matte E. Onley, who read an essay on the sub
jrct.
Miss Agnes Bradley said that she had oral eX-
ercises in the morning and dictatlon in the af-
ternoun. Miss Laura NJ Stonebraker, Messrs.
j. Edward Harry, Chas. w. Burkins and Frank
a. Brown discussed the subject further, the lat
ter thinking that IL was mat ural acquisition"
and that some pupils could never learn to spell.
Mr. John d. Worthingion said that since we
always make use of our knowledge of orthogra-
ply by way of writing, why not learn TO write
The words He laid great stress gu the teachers
not being discouraged because Il scholar should
happen 10 msspel u great many words. an
deed" said he, Il am right glad sometimes, TO
have pupil to miss, for find hat II is retained
afterwards, when once impressed upon the mind.
Not so, however, with regard 10 that which is
| easily learned. Anything that runs into the
| head pretty easily, runs out pretty easily but
| failure brings success.
Music by the choir. Adjourned to meet at
2 80, p. NJ.
EVENING SESSION.
| The roll was called more teachers being pres
ent than in the morning. Music by the choir.
The discussion Of the second question, "Should
| a time table be issued by the Board of School
Commissioners for the use of all the schools, If
50, what should ii contain? ~ wa opened by
| Mr.. j. Egbert Smith, who said that he had never
been very cat advocate for Il timetable
| One class might recte Il lesson which would
take another class u longer time, although the
| latter would recite equally well. Another OBJ
| lection was that teacher might not have all
the different grades, and that sometimes 1t may
| be necessary 10 give one grade longer time for
recitation than usual, aud cut short another
| q ade.
| written time table issued by the Board of School
| commissioners suited TO the use of schools, but
| thought programme of the recitations neces-
| sary.
MIR. Chas w. Burkins read an essay on the
| subject. He thought an uniform time table for
| all the schools impracticaOle.
| Mr.. A. II. Hewlett considered programme
| or schedule of studies necessary, but not giving
| IL specified time within which each study must
| be reciled. He said that he always tried 10 dis
| miss class at the end of the time he allows for
| the recitation.
| Mr. John b. Scarborough thought that les
| son which could not be recited well in ten or
| fifteen minutes could not be recited well in
thirty and that any difficulty which would arise
| from want of time to hear recitation, he would
obviate by hearing the same lesson the next day.
| Would like TO see time table gotten up by the
| Board of School Commissioners and Examiner,
aud al the next Institute the teachers could dis
cuss the merits and dement's of the matter.
| Mr.. John w. Carter asked MIR. Scarborough
what he would do if the maturity Of the class
| knows the lesson? Would he hold the remain
| der back until the Others know the lesson?
| MIR. Scarborough answered by saying that
| thoroughpess is the key to success; that thei G
| is no danger of any class being too thorough
The class needs dri ling. The majority at least,
should be thorough before the class is assigned
| q new lesson. Thought IL better TO pass the
class over 10 the next recitation than TO keep
them in the class twenty or thirty minutes.
| Mr. Garter: "a fast horse is made false by
| tying him back TO slow horse, and | think II
is pretty much the same way with children.
| am in tavor of advancing those who are qualified
| for promotion"
The question was further discussed by Messrs.
| Huwlett, Brown and Burkins.
| motion was then made by Mr.. Charles W
Burkins, that the practicabiity of using all uni.
| form time table issued by the Board School
| Commissioners in the schools be tested
| MIR. Jno. ID. Worthngton said that 1t was
| clear to The mind of every teacher that no time
table could be issued that could be adapted to
the use Of both the graded schools and common
| district schools.
Mr.. r. w. Eubank said that the teacher
should guard against encroaching upon the time
of another grade by keeping one grade up toe
| long
Mr.. A. Finney Galbreath said that one advan.
tage would be in its giving young teachers val
| liable suggestions.
Some of the teachers having said that 1t should
| be elastic enough to meet the varying circum
Stances Mr. j. Egbert Smith remarked it would
| be Il dead letter, when so much was left to the
| discretion of the teacher
Mr.. F. P. Smith said that he, in his schedule
| of sludies divided the time according to the
| number of grades and the ability of the pupils.
The question being called for, the ma ori.
ty were in favor of testing the efficacy and prac
| tcability of time table.
Music. Adjourned to meet Tuesday morning,
| at A NJ.
| TUESDAY
Institute was called to order, Mr. Mitchell in
the chair. A large number of teachers were
present.
Prof Geo. L. Smith of the State Normal
School, gave the teachers an interesting lecture
on the Map of Maryland, giving in detail the
history and the position of the different bound.
| aries of the State. He also gave an interesting
| account of The directions and modes of approach
OF vessels, especially large vessels, to the harbor
| OF Baltimore.
The following question was announced for
| discussion: "How can the defects In our
schools, as shown by the small and irregular at.
| tendance of pupils, be removed and the schools
made TO meet fully the needs of our people W
| Mr.. Calvin X. Cumming read an essay. He
| said that the public school system was good bat
| not perfect Parents make great m istake in
| keeping children home to earn little money,
| when they should be in school. This Is partic-
u'arly the case in the canning season. These
| mistakes on the part of the parents In connrc-
| ton with many others, cause the child to be de-
| prked Of q stimulus to encourage them in an
| effort 10 obtain a position in future life. A
| teacher should have refined sentiments and feel
| ngs.
Miss Sallie p. Galloway said that the school
should be made interesting and attractive, both
| III regard to the surroundings and the school
work, and also, she would see that the pupils
were all employed.
Miss Sallie E. st. Clair read an essay, in which
she said that the advantages of regular and dis.
advantages of irregular attendance should be
made known to the parents as far as lay in the
| teachers power. She would make the school
work as practical as possible, and would teach
| ideas instead of words
Miss Mary Gibson found difficulty In max.
| ing the school more attractive to the boys than
| fishing, ducking, etc. Thought compulsory ed
| ucation the only means of obviatipg this great
| difficulty.
| The question was further discussed by Messrs