Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-04-13

upon the board, and specimens Of the
school work were distributed among the
institute, many Of them showing sur
prising neatness and accuracy. There
was also dictation exercise in drawing,
and the facility with which the scholars
understood and acted upon Mrs. Brad
fields directions gave evidence of thor
ough and efficient drill.
Mrs. M. A. Prescott gave a class ex-
ercise--a Picture Language Lesson. The
scholars were each given picture and
required to write upon the board what
they saw in the picture and to draw q
story from it. This exercise is de-
signed to cultivate the faculties Of OBJ
servation, imagination, and invention,
and 1t affords the scholars a good exer-
else in composition-much better than
can be secured by assigning formal
subject and requiring the scholars to
grind out an essay within given time.
Supt. Quinn, Mr.. Lyser and Mrs.
Wiggin made remarks highly COM
mending this method of giving in
struction in language. Mr.. Lyser adj
vocates the entire abandonment of
technical grammar in the schools, and
said that in this respect the schools of
Los Angeles county are twenty years in
advance of the schools Of most parts of
this coast and Of the United States.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mrs c. B. Jones spoke upon the sub
ject, "How to Teach English Litera-
ture." As most of the teachers are ea,-
ployed in a lower grade Of work the sub
ject was treated chiefly from general
standpoint. She said that unless the
children have some previous information
upon the subject and have already con-
ceived some interest in it, it will be i'm
possible for them to accomplish much in
one terms study of English literature.
Great care should be taken in the direc-
ton of chill's reading while his taste
is forming 1t is most advisable to put
into his hands the juvenile classics, !"
the books for children which have se-
cured permanent place in the literature
Of the language, in preference to books
which are not classical and can never
become 50.
1t is a good plan to teach manners
and morals by quotations, and it is sur
prising what an immense fund for this
purpose can be drawn from English
poetry. The chlj's Imagination should
receive fair share Of training, and a
tendency to dishonesty is not necessa-
ny nor even the natural consequence OF
such course.
The personal life and character of the
author, his productions, and character
izations of the latter by competent writ
ers should all receive their share OF at
tention. The scholars should be d.
rected to various sources for information.
1t is her custom to conduct the recitation
almost without questions, allowing the
class to develop the subject themselves.
Freedom in the expression OF independ-
ent opinion is encouraged. 1t is desira-
able that the teacher should have con-
siderable stock OF anecdotes concerning
the author, as these serve TO enliven the
interest
The series Of English Men of Letters
and the little set of books entitled
English Classics" TO be found in the
City School Library. are valuable aids
She called attention TO the "Elzedr
Library of small paper covered books
selling at from two to seven cents o
piece and containing selections from the
greatest poets.
Miss Starr, Mr.. Quinn, Mrs. Virgins
and Mr. Henderson discussed the sub
ject.
Mrs. Virgins again addressed the
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education. That education is the most
practical. contrary to the general idea
which is conducted with reference to the
spiritual needs. and not simply to in.
crease the capacity for money getting.
The mind proceeds. by a natural bro.
CESS, from the symbol to the conception
Of the real in life and nature. The songs
are also many of them framed with a
view to impartinr useful information.
Prof. La Porte Van Zant favored the
Institute with n sono which was l,iohlv
appreciated.
Senator Del Vale was introduced to
the Institute and explained the action Of
the Legislature during the last session
upon various matters pertaining to the
educational interests of the State. He
declared himself to be strongly opposed
to the movement which has been set on
foot for the abolishment of teachers in.
stitutes
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