The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-11-24
tellaurnus.
Hartford County Teachers Institute

The Institute was opened with singing,
followed by Prof Smith reading Psalm
xiii and repeating the Lords Prayer The
roll was called and the subject for discus
sion, "Should Arithmetic be the basis of our
grading?" was opened by Mr. f. A. Brown,
who said that he did not believe in making
Arithmetic, or any one study, the basis of
grading. In his practice he had used reading
as the basis in the first, second and third
grades, arithmetic and geography for the
fourth and fifth grades, and arithmetic, geog-
raphy and grammar for the higher grades.
The Examiner asked Mr.. Brown if he
would promote pupil who was below the
average in arithmetic and did we'll enough i'll
other studies to make up the general average.
Mr.. Brown replied that he would not, except
in certain cases.
Miss Bradley did not use any study as the
basis OF grading, but required proficiency in
all. She believed that some girls could not
learn arithmetic, and also, that they did not
have much use for it in after life.
Other participants were Messrs. Carter and
Brown and Miss Mary II. Martin.
Mr.. Carter said that Arithmetic should be
made the leading study that it was of more
Importance than any other study, and that
the pupil should, among the first things be
taught to count his dollars and cents ere he
is thrown upon his own resources in the busy
world.
Mr.. J. Egbert Smith considered know
ledge of grammar rs necessary as know
ledge of arithmetic. The pupilmust be fitted
for other things in life besides the mere abili
ty to count the amount of money he possess
es
Mr. John ID. WOrthington said that the
teachers had no right to discuss the question:
unless it be for the enlightenment OF the EX-
aminer, whether the basis Of grading should
be changed or not. He considered that arth-
metc should be made the basis ofgrading in
stead of some of the lighter studies. The pupil
should be taught those branches which will
enable him to take care of himself, when he
becomes a man, instead Of those which will
make him an ornament TO mankind Educate
them by all means, if possible above that,
but the pupil must gain n practical know
ledge of arithmetic first l. g., other studies
! must not be taught so as to cX Glade this most
important one.
Messrs. Charles W. Burkins and A. Fin.
ney Gabreath discussed the subject further.
After music by the choir, a class exercise
! in Geography was given Ivy Miss Matte E..
Ohley.
Mr.. F. A. Brown asked the question, "IIow
can we teach small children to understand
| what natural bodies of water and natural
portions of land, such as gulf, lake, island,
| etc, are?"
Prof Smith said that the best way to i'm
press that knowledge upon the mind Of the
child was by making those islands, CULTS, etc,
on small scale, in the yard, or any convent
ent place, and point them out to the pupil.
After music, the question for discussion
was resumed
Mr.. Eubank said that the teachers should
depend upon reading as the basis of grading
in the first, second, and third grades, after that
until the pupil has reached the Sixth Grade,
the teachers should rely upon Arithmetic in
connection with reading. He attached great
importance to arithmetic as a developer of
the mind, and looked upon it as n means of
culture. IT'S not merely for the purpose
of making a ready calculator of the pupil
that we teach arithmetic, for market woman
who has not had so much as an elementary
school education, can surpass any of us in
that kind of Arithmetic. He &C nsldered gram
mar equally important.
Mr. Hewlett cited the case of a pupil in
his school where grading by reading would
not answer, the pupil in question being able
to read well in the Fifth Reader, whereas in
arithmetic his knowledge did not extend so
far as multiplication. The teacher is less
liable to run the pupil beyond his ability
when grading by Arithmetic.
The question was further discussed by
NIessrs. Jno. d. Worthington, F. A. Brown
Prof Geo. l.. Smith, and Miss Agnes Brad
ley,
Adjourned to meet at 215 p. NJ.
EVENING SESSION.
Institute was called to order by Prof Smith
who lecturcd on Drawing, and exemplifed
the practicability ofteaching it in the public
schools, showing that it could be taught
even in the second and third grades. With
Il class of small pupils he exhibited to the
teachers the manner in which he conducted
those exercises. Beginning with the simpl;
straight line, he taught the class first what