Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-26
LIE MOYNE SCHOOL.
The Progress Made by the Colored
Teachers in Educating Their
Race in Memphis.
The Regular Monthly Meeting OF the
Institute Held Yesterday
Morning.

1t IL a matter OF interest TO note the
! progress and steadiness manifested by the
colored teachers OF the county in this work
a. shown by the full attendance and valua-
bic discussions at their monthly meetings al
| LeMoyne school, in this city. In encouraging
these meetings Superintendent Henderson Is
doing much toward increasing the ethciescy
OF his teachers. We doubt ii there are many
counties in the State where the majority Of
the colored teachers seem 40 earnest and so
intent on fitting themselves for their work as
the teachers OF Shelby. At the meeting OF
yesterday there was an attendance of between
thirty and forty teachers from all parts OF
the county. Fhe discussions showed intelli-
gence aud live interest in the work of pop
ular education. We believe it is the wise
policy and intention to organize Normal
Institute or school in this city, at LeMoyne
school, to continue at least two weeks, in the
early part of June, for the benefit of the
colored teachers of West Tennessee. An at
tendance of at least one hundred and fifty
teachers is looked for. We gladly give below
an outline of the discussions at yesterdays
meeting.
After the preliminary exercises Prof. B.
K. Sampson, of Clay street, in a very able
manner, presented his thoughts upon the
length and manner of conducting recita-
tions. OF bis many excellent ideas the most
important were that the length should de-
penO upon the SUBJECT, age VI bupliS anu en-
thusiasm over the lesson. Writing should
be the first class exercise, while the nerves
are steady. Arithmetic shonld follow.
Grammar should come next and occupy the
same time. Neither can be successful with
out good reading. A reading-class should
never have less than twenty-five minutes.
In arithmetic and grammar twenty minutes
ought to be devoted to review. Thorough
ness OF explanation is necessary. The
teacher NUT continually ask Uhy and the
pupil answer because Variety OF method
adds interest. Written solutions may often
be required. Books should seldom be used
by the teacher; never by the class. The great
object is to teach pupils to think. An in
teresting discussion followed, each speaker
offering fresh suggestions, among many others
that the teacher should talk very little, cor
rect language should be insisted upon, each
pupil given an opportunity, frequent alb
stracts required in geography and history,
undivided attention secured and competition
often aroused, especially in spelling. Many
teachers spoke of their inability to give the
needed time TO each class in country school,,
where as one expressed il: 81 have large
school and more classes than scholars"
Prof Steele, upon the blackboard, illus
trated his manner of teaching writing. He
insisted that, with four lines upon the black
board and four lines upon the slate, even
with rude surroundings, any child could be |
taught to write neat, legible hand. Learn |
ing the three elements, straight line, right |
curve and left curve, a child could at once |
writing words. Study OF the for |
nation of letters is more important than |
practice, as the great idea is to learn chill
tren 10 criticise their own work. Having |
finished his lesson, the professor was called |
upon TO answer questions, which kept him /
busy for several moments.
VIM A. Fields introduced the discussion |
Of number and length of recesses. In we'll
arranged, well -ventilated rooms, where gym
1astics can be practiced to relieve the tedium
IF routine work, intermissions are not so
necessary as in the crowded rooms of I'M
graded schools. An hours rest at noon and
i've or ten minutes each half day are needed
% refre sh scholars. Teachers should be on
Dull boys are often frightened by a hearty
,ame of ball or jumping. Some Of the teach
rs objected to recesses, as it gave the chill
lren opportunity to learn evil habits by too
much and too free association. lively dis
ussion followed.
c. c. Bennett presented the topic having
eference to inducing pupils 10 read good
looks. Too much attention cannot be paid
o this matter Teachers ought to take time
md prepare to tell stories OF great men, re-
narkable events in the worlds history and
mention important items OF news, thus excit-
ng curiosity and desire to read and know
or themselves, in the minds of the children.
A committee reported the following reso-
utiOn:
WHEREAS, AS teachers, We deplore the
eneral lack OF interest shown in adequately
quipping the schools Of the county with
roper buildings and appliances for their
FORK; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That we most earnestly urge upon
he attention OF school officers, teachers and
atrons, the great need there is of providing
etter buildings in the various school dis
riots, for the accommodation of the schools,
nd that as members of the Shelby County
'eachers' Institute, we pledge ourselves 10
Sc every legitimate effort and influence in
ne furtherance of this object.