Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-04-09
ADDITIONAL LOC.7LS.
Thompsontown Institute.
Reported by W. A. Coldren.

The Teachers Adj journed Institute
as previously announced by Sup
Smith, convened in the public schoc
building, in Thompsontown, Juniat
county, Pa, on Friday evening, Mal
21st, and continued during Saturda
and Saturday evening Twelve teach
ers were present and the house wa
fillsd TO its utmost capacity, by di
rectois and citizens, who came t
witness the opening session. At I;
80 o'clock Sup't Smith called the in
stitute to order. On motion, W. A
Coldren and l. c. Lantz were electe'
Secretaries. Music by the Thomp
sontown choir, America Sup
Smith then in very appropriate bu
brief talk stated the object OF meet
ing in the capacity of a Teachers Iu
stitue. and urged upon the teacherl
that they do their work with pur,
motives, he said, as this would be th'
last institute of the season, he woulC
ask all the teachers, directors, anC
citizens, to take an active part in th,
discussions and make the institute {
success. The Sup't appointed the
following teachers to report the pro
ceedings of the institvte to the sew
eral county papors: Juniata Herald,
J. W hibbs; SENTNEL AND REPUBLI'
CAN, W. A. Coldron; Juniata Tribune
g. L. Plette; Democrat and Regis
ter, p G. Shelley: Port Royal Times
Ii. G. Graham. Music by the choir,
The Old Front Door DR.. l. n
Grubb was introduced to the audi
ence and spoke on the subject as
signed him: what methods Of in
struction will most successfully lead
pupils to original investigation ?" He
spoke of the relation of man and na-
ture, and showed that children have
naturally desire fOr object hence
by Object Lessons would be very
successful way of teaching young pu
pills. The Doctor talks as if he knew
something about teaching school
This subject was further discussed
by the teachers, and they all decided
in favor of teaching by Object Les
SONS. Music, The Last Days" The
pupils OF Thompsontown schools re-
cited some very fine declamations in
such a manner as to show that their
Literary Society has been a benefit
to them. Milton Shuman, reclted
Extreme Unction; "Tbe Grumbler, -
by Samuel Fearer; Response to The
Blue Juniata, by Miss TiIlie Vines.
Prof. W. Z. Auman, was introduced
and spoke on Reviews" lie said he
would have reviews nearly every day
to some extent have reviews on GER
tain days and have the pupils prepare
them. ]. T. Altman, said he was led
to believe that the present method Of
teaching did not give memory cult
ure; lie would have pupils review at
any time, whenever q class would
pass over a subject he would have
them review it until it was thorough
" understood. J. W. Hibbs SAYS We
can't review too much. DIR. Grubb
says we review too many things of
no importance. Edwin Davis gave
his opinion of reviews, as they were
conducted when he Was q boy. Sup't
Smith asked the question, 'Should
you allow a child to study a certain
thing and then forget it?" He said
that without reviews constantly we
taught children to forget rather than
retain. Music, The Old Front
Door. Defamation, by Miss Minnie
McAister, Bessie Belle" The house
was so crowded that to get standing
room was impossible. Mr.. Davis
suggested that the Lutheran church
be procured for the next evening ses-
sion. Institute adjourned.
Saturday morning at 8 o'clock, In
stitute met and the forenoon session
wes engaged in general discussion on
"Relative Importance of spelling,
pronouncing and defining" Mr.. II.
&. Graham read a paper on the i, ,,,:,.
ject, he thought LAT ...as we learn the
meaning Of words first; the spelling
second, and the pronunciation last.
On this point the teachers generally
agreed. Then the question arose,
how shall We teach the meaning of
words Shall we teach a particular
or general meaning' Sup't Smith,
then, placed some words on the
blackboard for the teachers to pro
nouncs in this exercise we were ike
other boys. Should We pronounce
words according to the custom of
tho community or by some standard?
Music, Nearer Ny God to Thee.
Adjourned.
Afternoon session met at 1:30.-
Music, bringing in the Sheaves. y
Mr.. d. l.. Kepner was introduced,
and opened the subject "Wasted en-
ergies III the school room" He
showed how many teachers wasted
their time in things of no benefit to
the pupils. W. Z. Auman said many
teachers neglect to teach morals and
manners. j. w. Hibbs said, he would
teach morals and manners in connec.
ton with the lessons, and not make
a public speech about the subject
Supt Smith said, he has worked at
many different kinds of work, such
as farming. cutting wood, picking
stone, marching in the army, and has
found nothing so hard on the man as
teaching school. p. G.. Shelley says,
some teachers talk too much in
school. j. T. Altman entertains the
idea that we don't talk enough on
some particular points. j. W. Plette
tells us he has found it to be a good
plan. when we have q different sub
Ject, to talk about it until the pupil
do understand it thoroughly, il we
have a large school and cannot get
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