The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-01-20
Teachers Local Institute.

/ OH fFludN tNtuluB WtlV ~ AiHN's
Hall, and consisted of an address on "Prac.
teal School Work." by T. NJ. Ballet, Sup.
erintendent OF Carbon, which was full Of
practical suggestions for the teachers pres
ent, as well as highly interesting to the
audience assembled. Prof Ballet, was fol-
lowed by Rev. A. r. Horne, the lecturer Of
the evening, on the subject, Experiences in
the State of Texas" All were highly pleas
ed with the lecture and all felt they had
learned many interesting facts in regard to
the Lone Star State.
On Saturday morning at o'clock the Iu-
stitute convened in the High School room,
at slotington, anG throughout the whole Of
the morning the room was crowded with
teachers from the different counties, so that
they were obliged to adjourn TO Armory
| Hall in the afternoon, 10 find room Tor those
seeking admittance.
The Institute opened with prayer BY Rev.
| A. r. Horne, alter which J. o. KBauss,
Superintendent of Lehigh county, was
chosen Chairman Of the meeting and 7. N.
Ballet Superintendent of Carbon county,
and j. W. Werner Superintendent of North
ampton county were chosen Vice. PRESIDENTS.
T. A. Snyder, of Carbon, o. P. Snyder, Of
Lehigh and j. Meyers, of Northampton,
were elected Secretaries.
Supt. Knauss on taking the chair thanked
the members of the Institute for the honor
conferred on him in electng him Chairman,
and asked all the teachers from the differ
ent counties to cooperate with him and the
instructors present in making the sessions
interesting. He said he was glad to see such
large attendance of teachers present; it
showed that all were alive TO the interests
Of their work, and proved to him that ad-
| vancement was being made in the educa-
tiona work in the counties represented.
Miss Minnie Ruch, of Slatington, then
gave class drill on Oral Geography, and
showed what live, active teacher could
accomplish in this branch in few months.
This exercise was pronounced, by the mem
bers Of the Institute, one Of the best excreis-
es Of the Institute. Following the drill was
a discussion on the subject, participated in
by Supt Werner, Rev. A. r. Horne, W. H.
Rauch, T. A. Snyder and Supt. Knauss.
Mr.. F. j. Stettler then read an Essay on
"Ancient and Modern Education" The
essay showed very careful preparation and
| was listened to with marked attention
throughout. Prof. Horne, procured It for
publication, in full, in ais National Edu.
Gator" next week.
A short discussion then followed on Pri-
mary Instruction, alter which Supt. Ballet
asked the question whether it was good
policy in the Directors promoting teacher
from the primary grade to a higher grade
when he proved very successful in that
grade? In his opinion the Directors should
show the teacher that they appreciate his
work by raising his salary and not by pro-
noting HIM to higher grade. An earnest
f.
in the opinion of Supt, Ballet.
The remaining part of the morning was
spent in answering questions from the
"Query Box" A number Of very interest
ing practical questions were asked and the
discussion that followed was participated in
by Mr.. Rosenberger, II. A. Esenhart, j. G.
Kershner. T. A. Snyder, W. II. Rauch, F.
j. Stettler and Others Institute then ad.
journed until l:S0 p. m. TO meet in Armory
Hall.
AFTERNOON sEssIoN.
Although the weather was very unfavor-
able during the afternoon, yet Armory Hall
was well filled and the attendance of teach-
ers was still larger than in the morning.
The first exercise of the afternoon was an
essay by Miss Mary A. Smith, Heidelberg,
subject "Sowing and Reaping." The essay
was well read and carefully preparsd.
/, Ibl' 1. W. Dtllct tntii gave du lultIcsl-
ing talk on the subject of Reading. In my
opinion reading is more poorly taught than
; any other branch in the school room. Our
methods are bad, and our books cur bad
t About one half of the time is spent in
teaching reading and yet we do not have
good results. The Word method should be
used in teaching beginners and gradually
pass INTO the sentence method. We teach
Arithametic by beginning at whole mum
5 bers. No teacher would think Of beginning
at fractions, neither should they begin at
r the alphabet but at the word which is the
unit OF reading. Two things are necessary
( in good reading. LIST. Getting the thought
2nd. Expressing the thought to others. ii
the pupil has the thought that the piece
contains. the ability to express it will follow.
Have the pupils gather the thought silently
5 aud then let them read it aloud. Never lei
/. them read a sentence aloud until they un.
= dersiand the thought expressed in the sen
tence. We do nine times as much sil0nt
u reading as we read aloud. Have the pupils
read the lesson silently before reading it
S aloud. In France nearly all their reading
is done silently. Teach the child so or Gu
: words and then use the articles before the
words, after which form sentences with th,
k words aud have the pupils read them. AL
regretted that Prof Ballet's time had ex
r pired before he had completed the subject
as it was one of the most practical lectures o
r the Istitute
A d scussion on the subject of reading fol
K lowed which was participated in by Supt
Werner and Mr.. Krout, of Caplay.
u Mr. A. II. Bieber, of North White Hall
then read paper on "Scboo Management.
Is The paper was quite lengthy and contained
many practical suggestions for the teacher
on school government. The speaker though
, the government of the school shoul- be last
on the same plan as the State Government
l. and the laws made should be vigorously eI
j. forced.
The discussion was opened by W. ]. An
/ drews, Washington, who thought the fol
r. lowing were important rules in governing
tie SCHOOL, list. Love and duty. 2nd. Plail
l. and important rules, 3rd. A firm determin
alton.
The next subject on the programme wa
Scholars "Monthly Reports" "Term Cert
ficates," aud High School Diplomas b,
a. Prof. G. H. Desh Of Bethlehem, but Nj
I'd Desh failed to put in an appearance, an'
as the discussion was opened by A. F. Bried
= enzer. North Whitehall, followed by Supt
- Ballet, II A. Esenhart, DIR. N. C. 5chaeils I
I'd Mr.. Krout, Mr.. Schirer and others.
ne Supt. Kuauss explained what use hat
,d been made of the "Term Certificates" i
"a Couutlg duu nc us
'n had been the means of doing good in th
70 county.
es DR., W. C. sehaeffer thought that tn
- graduating OF scholars from the Publ
. Schools and giving them diplomas was pre-
ID ductive Of more evil than good Sup
~ Ballet thought the trouble was in ca llinI
at the paper granted diploma aud IN callin
the closing exercise a Commencement
Is That in Carbon they were now trying to ii
IL a course tor all the high schools and whe
a. the scholars had completed that course the
20 would be granted certificate Of coinpeteu
~ cy in the branches passed and the exercii
ne wsuld be called closing exercise, instea
e. OF commencement exercise. This metho
IT. was decided upon; thinking it would
productive Of great coed in keeping sehoa
rs in the High Schools longer than they woul
at otherwise stay.
Y Sup. Knauss then congratulated ii
"a, teachers on the success OF the Institute an
especially on the large attendance during !
he sessions The attendance of teachers W;
OK the largest OF any of the local institutes lie