The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-16
THE EDUCATORS.
Proceedings Of the National Educational As
ISOLATION, in Session at Madison, Wis.,


MADISON, Wis, July 15.-The proceedings
opened this morning with q meeting of the Wis
consin State Teachers Association and a public
session of the Council of Education and the
Froebel Institute of North America The at
tendance represents all sections Of the United
States and Canada.
DR. J. W. Stearns addressed the State Teach
ers Association on the subject Of the course of
instruction for common schools, In discussing
the subject President Stearns said universal
education is elementary education In Milwau
kee, one pupil only is in the High-school out of
sixty-seven in the total enrolment, and in the
State at large forty three; therefore, elementary
schools should face the world, not high-schools,
and in this way they will hest fit pupils for the
high-school. Their course should be SO planned
that at whatever state the pupil leaves it he will
have received the best preparation for life posi-
BILE in the time spent at school. The wants
of child nature must also be considered
broadly in planning the course The elementary
course should aim to give the child command of
the common implements of learning, and to Gre
ate in him desires for things of the understand
ing; this last part il. indispensable, and yet is
most neglected In the council the subject
''Pedogogics as a Science, was discussed by DIR.
VIM I. Harris, of the Concord School of Philos-
ophy; }. Stanley Hail. of Harvard University;
Professor 2. q. Thompson Of Indiana, and
others.
The Froebel Institute of North America was
addressed by J. McA lister, of Philadelphia, on
the subject To What Extent Can the Kinder
garten Become Part of the Public School Sys-
temp The Professor said Only those who
have been in the kindergarten work know its
value. Public education, from Maine
to California, viii have to be awakened in
America. The paramount question is of primary
education. For 100 years we have neglected
Chidrap and au b1ailf ma o0llA0a and
university system, to the admiration of the
world; we have built up the high-school on the
best plans, but we are just beginning to realize
that the primary school is the one which educates
the masses, who never get beyond the primary
schools. In Philadelphia, New York and other
large cities, we find the arrangements all com
plete IN the higher schools, but lower down the
young teachers are trying hard to do their duty
Education should face this question honestly
and broadly, and we shall never do our duty un-
til the kindergarten is made the basis of al in
struction. How is the Kindergarten to be in
troduced against all the opposition9 First by
keeping inside the local law In most States
the school age is six years, and where this is So
we must change the laws; then we must culti
waite public sentiment, and in the last place the
kindergarten system must be taught in normal
schools bs
Discussion followed the address
At the afternoon session the National Associa-
ton of Teachers continued the work Of the morn
ing with discussions before the Wisconsin State
Teachers Association, and the Froebel Institute
of North America ex-State Superintendent
Whitford and others resuming the work of the
association
State Superintendent Robert Graham,
of Madison, reviewed critically p the
professional work of the high-schools,
claiming that the teachers, while well grounded
in all school work, should possess special fitness
for teaching mental science physiology, hygiene
and school law Officers for the ensuing year
were chosen, and the State association adj
iourned
Before the Institute Of North America an ad
dress was made by Hon. T. w. Bicknell, who
enthusiastically received. Addresses were also
made by Miss Sarah Stewart, OF Milwaukee, Mrs.
J. NJ Riddell, of Indian Territory; Professor
John Ogden, of Washington, and Professor
Haelman, of Indiana, who claimed that the scope
of manual training in the kindergarten had no
connection with industrial training the value of
which is chiefly educational, while the method
prepares not for artisanship, but for art
The evening session opened IN Assembly Hall,
and another meeting held at the Congrega-
honal Church Assembly Hall was crowded to its
utmost capacity Hon. Thomas w. Bieknell,
presiding. DR.. ]. Il. NJ. Cnrrey, agent Of the
Peabody fund.- Richmond. Va, addressed the
association on citizenship and Education"
In the Senate chamber, to a crowded audience,
an address was made by Rev. Mayo, of Boston,
who stated that it was great event when 5000
teachers we're IN convention. 1t showed the
people what force they were, and how they in
spired confidence among themselves.
Special trains to-day from Boston and New
York brought 600 teachers swelling the number
to 1000,