The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-11-24
THURSDAY,
MORNING SESSION

The first question discussed was "Have we
room in our schools for the History of Mary
| land ?"
Mr.. Eubank said that we have room for it,
and that it should precede the History of the
United States. The History of Maryland
| should be taught in the fifth grade but the
| fourth reader should not be discarded. The
pupils will not become tired Of the history,
| as is the case with the reader.
Misses Virginia Nelson, Alice 5. Stautler
and Matte +. Otfley discussed the question
further.
Miss Annie Amber did not think q de-
tailed history appropriate for the use of the
fifth grade, but one containing only the most
interesting parts, alternating in recitation,
with reading or geography.
Misses Susie Mitchell, Maggie Andrew,
Hannah Scarborough, Ida Hornberger and
NIessrs. Chas w. Bnrkins, f. A. Brown and
+. p. Smith also discussed the question.
Mr.. w. H. X. Jones asked if the teacher was
required by the State Board TO teach oral
lessons in history.
Prof Smith answered that the Board does
not require it, but they countenance it.
Mr.. John w. Carter said that the little his
torical facts which the teacher tells the pupils
are so indelibly impressed upon their minds
that il is difficult to eradicate them, even
when the hair is silvercd with age; whereas
by memOriZing lessons that which is learned
is soon forgotten.
Mr.. j. Egbcrt Smith said that the teachers
have not time to do the work that should be
done, and therefore there is not room in the
schools for q separate study. The teacher
ought to teach all the grades oral lessons
whenever he can find time.
Mr.. Carter thought that it would be more
valuable to the child TO study the history of
his native State than to spend so much time
on the minor parts of grammar etc
Mr.. j. Egbert Smith was of the opinion
that reading and history could not be taught
at the same time
Mr. A. Finney Galbreath said that the pro.
per pronunciation of the words, proper in
Elections, tones, etc, are not the only things
required in n good reader, but he must I'M
derstand what he reads. Why not then
teach this important part of reading in his
| tory as well rs in reader?
Mr.. f. p. Smith said that the outlines
should be studied first and then the particu
lar parts, just as an artist draws the outline
Of the picture first, and embcllishcs it after
wards He considered, then, that the History
of the United States should precede the His
| tory of Maryland.
Miss Mary Gibson said that patriotism
| should be taught the pupils. They should be
| taught to love their country, in order that
| they might become good and useful citizens
| and there is no better way of accomplishing
| that, than by teaching them the history of
| their own State.
Mr.. Jno. ID. Worthington said that the
history could not supplant the reader, for
| there are many kinds of reading, such as
| poetry and rich oratory, which could not be
| taught by using the history as a textbook
,., 10, Mt l, on
| land, as Il history, is in one of the higher
grades. In lower grade the mind of the
pupil is not mature enough.
The debate was so warm and the eagerness
of teachers to obtain the floor so great, that
| many good ideas were brought to light
Prof Smith said that in these oral lessons
the teacher should study the subject thor
| oughly before he attempts to teach it, and in
! the lessons recited from the book, he should
| know more about it than the book contained.
| He should be able to enlarge upon it, Be-
| tore he attempts to teach II subject he should
| be able to write Il book about it,
Prof. Smith then Iecturcd. Subject, Chem
| stry."
Music by the choir, and the Institute ad
! journcd TO meet at $50 p. NJ.
EvENGNG Session.
The members of the Association held a
meeting before the Institute for the purpose
of clecting officers for the next year. The
| result of the election was as follows:
President, Mr. Charles Il. Wilson, of TIavre
de Grace Vice Presidents, Mr. John w. Car
ter and Miss 5. Lizzie Adams; Secretary and
| Treasurer, Mr.. j. Edward Harry Executive
| Committee-Miss Mary L. Sherwood, 1st
Dist Miss Mary G. IIurlocl, I'd Dist; Mr..
f. NJ Brown, 3d Dist; Miss Maggie Offley,
4th Dist. Mr.. n. o. Stokes, 9TH Dist; Miss
A. l.. Barron, 9th Dist
After the business of the Association was
over, Prof. Smith, at the request of the teach,
ers, lecture about the Inst comet, and comets
| in general.
When the lecturer was concluded, Prof.
Smith addressed the teachers, saving, 81 would
be very much pleased if l could be with you
until the close of the institute, but am com.
PEELED to return to Baltimore, and in bidding
| you good bye, | can say that never attend
| ed an Institute in which | was so much in
| terested as this one, and never met a corps
| of teachers who appeared so intelligent and
alive to their profession"
| On motion, by Mr. F. p Smith, vote OF
thanks was rendered to Prof Smith for the
active part and the interest he took in the
| Institute.
Prof Smith accepted the thanks of the In.
stitute, and on motion of Mr.. G. w. Burkins
he was requested to attend the Institute next
year The examiner also rendered his thanks
| to Prof Smith, after which the Professor bid
the members of the Institute good bye.
| After music Mr.. f. p. Smith suggested
that THE pay of the teachers should be has.
ed on more equitable basis" be discussed
MessIs. F. A. Brown and +. p. Smith and
Miss NJ. f. Sherwood showed how the teacher
| was wronged by the present mode of paying
salaries, which is as follows A first grade
teacher must average thirty pupils in order
to get his full salary. If he averages less than
that, two dollars for every pupil below the
average is subtracted from his salary; where
as if he averages forty, forty-tye or any mum.
Der of pupils above thirty, he receives nc
more than if he averages thirty.
Mr. +. A. Brown offered the following re-
solution:
Rcsolyed, That the present plan of grading the
teachers salary according to the average attend
ance of pupils is unjust TO the teachers and
should be abolished and a more equitable plan
adopted.
Mr. Mitchell, Examiner, thought it useless
to put such resolution before The Institute
as the Board could not pay the money which
they did not have; that it was plunging head
ong IN medm res TO attempt to remove tho
difficulty at once, that he sought to remove
all ditlicultins as soon rs possible for having
been n teacher himself he knew the difficulties
by which he was surrounded Out this could
only he done by removing one at time, and
the first thing to be gained was that the
school be kept open four terms
Messrs. James w. McNabb, +. A. Brown
and ]. Martin McNabb thought that there
would at least, be no harm to vote on the
resolution, and let the Board of School Com
missioners, who should levy more money fol
school purposes, and the people, know the
sentiments of the teachers
Accordingly, the vote being taken, the re
solution was unanimously adopted.
Music by the choir, and the Institute adj
iourned to meet Friday morning ut half.pas