Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-11-29
NEW OAS2LE TEACH ERs.

NEW OAs7LE TEA OH ERs.
Opening of the Ninth Annual Insti.
lute.
Special Correspondence of State journal.
MIDpLRTowN, Nov. 81. --The fact that
teachers were somewhat tardy In making
their appearances this AFTERNOON oluspd
tho first session Of ths niu.h annual 10
stitute of New Castle county to be some-
what small In numbers. AT 2 20 O'Clock,
State Superintendent T. N. Williams
having arrived, the meeting was called
to order by Assistant Superintendent
Carpenter, the Rev. Adam Stengle of the
M. K. ohuroh, this town, Offering prayer.
IWilliam N. Johns of Newport read the
report OF the executive committee. In
the absence of Miss Brisooe Miss Hannah
M. Miles WAS selected as secretary pro
TEN. Mr.. Carpenter then introduced
Superintendent Williams, who gave the
teachers good advice and said that their
object in thus meeting once q year was to
work and aid each other to better exsoute
their duties during the next year. He
called their special attention to Professor
Montgomery's lecture of free hand draw
ing in public schools to be given OH Fri
day evening next.
At the close or the supsrintsndent's
address Prof. Wright Of this town an
nounced the homes of the visiting
teachers.
Miss II. A. Connors W IS selected by the
chair as assistant secretary.
At $40 O'Clock on motion OF Mr.. Johns
the institute adjourned to 7,30 this
evening.
At 746 the meeting was called to order
by Superintendent Williams. The choir
In pleasing manner rendered the chorus
"Come rise with the lsrks" =" The Rev.
Adam Stepgle offered prayer. Solo by
Mrs. G.. W. Prics entitled "When the
leaves begin to fade" followed. Miss
May Frances of Brooklyn, read "Molly
Mulrone," also selection from the
Burlington Ha,okeye. A solo and quartet
by the choir, entitled Gathering Home"
WAS given.
| Superintendent Williams then deliv-
cred his annual address in which he
| compared the teacher to the warrior,
showing the former to possess more
power and stating that Greece owes more
to-day to education than to all her
| warriors.
At the close of the superintendent's
| address, voluntary addresses of welcome
being in order, Mr.. Siengle, as spokesman
| for the citizens of Middletown, welcomed
| the members OF the institute to the town.
| In doing so he cited several amusing in
| cidents In his own school life and drew
an excellent parallel between teachers of
then and now, the former mode OF select
ing teacher, and the like.
The choir then Gang "The Old Kitchen
| Clook," after which the meeting was
adjourned to 3 O'Clock tomorrow MORN
ing. The hall was filled with an intelli-
| gent audience during the entire evening.
MIDDLETowS, Nov. 22.-The institute
resumed session this morning with so
teachers present. The following COM
mittees were appointed:
Auditing committee-E. G. Mote, W.
N. Johns, Agnes M. Ray.
Enrolling Committee Wilhelmina
McGordy, Rose A. Kelley, Virginia
| Vsnderslice.
Article Sd Of the constitution was
amended 80 as to reduce the annual dues
| to 80 cents. MrR. Sarah Fell, treasurer,
reported as follows: balance from last
year, $72 So; contributions, $5 collected
from teachers, $47; total receipts,
$124 96 expenses, s5O.25; balance on
hand, $74.7l.
| In the absence of DR.. Purnell, down
on the programme for discussion of
Swinton's Language Lessons" Mr..
Smith talked on penmanship. Professor
Wright took part in the discussion and
there was free criticism Of Mr.. Smiths
methods. A show of hands being asked
Of those who thought they had profted
by Mr.. Smiths lecture, only FIVE hands
went up.
Professor Harlan of Wilmington was
introduced, and he made 20.minute
address. DR.. Purnell meanwhile had
arrived, and he entered upon the subject
assigned him, occupying the time until
nearly noon.
MIDDLETowN, Nov. 22.-Superintenden
II. c. Carpenter followed on the same
subject explaining many points salts
iaotorily for teachers approving of this
series. Several of the teachers on being
asked if they found any difficulty in
teaching Swinton, promptly responded.
MIR. Taylor says he makes the study
speciality, but is very unsuccessful with
it from seme unknown cause. Mr.. Johns
favored the study but could not under
stand his failure to impress it upon the
minds Of his pupils. Prot. White does
not approve Of the work alone, but
greatly admires 1t in connection with
other good grammars. A lady teacher
said she could make no progress with the
study. Superintendent Williams advised
the teacher to teach such PORTIONS of the
book as they thoroughly understood
and then IL they failed the Board of
Education would have to change the
book.
After tho appointment of the committee
on resolutions, MIR. Emmtt, Mics Lumb
aud Mrs, l.. b. Pratt, the meeting ad
journed until 2 p. M, and at that hour
50 teachers were present.
The subject, 'How to teach history"
was discussed by Herman Bsssey of
Odessa. He opposed too much effort to
memorize incidents set down in text
books, and thinks much more success
mould be met with if teachers would
connect one important event with another
and thus enable pupils to more readily
memorize the lesson. He opposes long
lessons and thinks teachers should 80
thoroughly aoqusint themselves with the
lesson IS not to require book during
recitation. He favored occasionally re-
calling incidents and converting with the
scholars about them. DIR. Purnell
heartily supported Mr.. Bessey.
Miss Narclssa Il. White of Grove City,
Pa, entertained the audience in a most
happy and pleasing style, having for her
subject "Scisntifio Instruction" This
lady is q temperance lecturer as we'll az a
teacher. She gave our teachers her mode
of teaching the younger children this
poisonous effects of strong drink.
: Adjournment until Z 80 p. m, followed
and at that hour the hall WAS unoom-
fortably FULL. The exercises Of the even
: lug were begun with selection by the
choir. Prayer followed and then a solo
by Mrs. R. l.. Price, entitled "The Last
Chord" Mrs. Frances read a selection
T on courtship.
Miss White then took the floor and
, leotured on temperance, reminding
| teachers very forcibly how much OF each
I child's future rests upon the training il
? received whist in the public schools.
Samuel Price sang solo, and then fol-
I lowed the mort interesting and instructive
f. lecture given thus far. 1t was that oi
l Georgs NJ, Philips OF the State normal
!. school, at West Chester, Ps. His subject
was "The Sun" By using blaokboa d
l he added greatly to the value of his lee,
r ture. The teachers all express them
8 I A. ~