The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1884-03-20

AFFAIRS In history which determine the
great changes than to those of minor de-
tail. AS an illustration of the general
way in which history is taught in nearly
all text books, he cited the small atten-
ton given to the great political convan-
tons in 1860, and the exhaustive treatise
on some of the unimportant actionssof
the civil war.
Prof. Gray's remarks, touching upon
the study of geography, are commenda-
BILE, and he brought up many ideas which
will materially assist teachers in present.
ing that useful branch of knowledge.
He said, "That the information received
at school is merely an enlargement of the
views and impressions obtained in early
childhood, that is, the young child gets
ideas of direction, extent, space, magni-
tude, motion and a general idea of the
earth's surface in his immediate SUR
roundings." He stated ''That the great
errors into which instructors usually fall,
are too much dependence on memory,
with corresponding neglect Of the fac
ulties of perception, imagination and
judgment; and then again, presenting too
many facts often unclassified and discon
nected; also failure to apply the rule of
daily review to fix the facts, and an utter
absence of all natural representations to
assist observation in the careful use of
models in sand, clay, putty, pictures, and
best OF all the globe which should be
found in every school house in the State
The instruction and advice given to
teachers on the science Of health, en-
bracing in its sphere knowledge of ply
siolOgy, anatomy and medicine should
find deep root in every heart and be most
carefully observed. Prof. Gray proceed
ed at length to show causes Of disease,
and what means to take to prevent such
terrible visitations as sometimes come
upon US. In his enumeration Of causes,
we ind poor and insufficient food, bad
water, noxious air, improper methods of
heating, none or at best poor ventilation,
lack Of drainage, sudden exposure to cold
or moisture, and last but not least, the
effects of alcohol. To prevent disease,
pay careful attention to uses and prepa-
ration of foods, and most emphatically,
to give every consideration to the impor-
lance of cleanliness Of person, house,
school house and outbuildings. He spoke
of the systematic course pursued by our
authorities in the prevention of disease
and urged upon all teachers the prime
necessity Of disseminating knowledge
Of the laws of health broadcast oyer the
land
Prof. Parr was assigned the important
task of handling the language part of
our institute, and it was surely a selec-
ton of the right man for the right place
AS an Introductory to his work, he spoke
upon the necessity of acquiring profcien-
cy in the great work Of instruction and
an adaptability to the work. He said that
a fairly educated family used in daily
s<op no, VII
careful attention to the language of the
much better English. Yet, beyond that
came the responsibilities resting upon
our teachers, and to them a great work
is consigned He briefly explained the
principles of language teaching, showing
what they are and the manner Of apply
ing them, saying that portion of gram
mar should be obtained in connection
with every reading lesson. He also no
ticed, as an educator, great deficiency in
the art of composition, saying that dis
connected, dlsjointed members of SEN
fences were thrown together in eyerya
conceivable way, and the result is the
ruin Of ALL He told all to look carefully
after the interests of letter-writing and
composition in our common schools and
send forth pupils able to write letter.
The instructors kindly notified teach
ers than any subject which was not
placed on programme would be treated
on call of any member. Several members
of the institute desired instruction as to
the best methods Of teaching spelling.
Prof. Gray took a powerful hold of the
subject, showing that the ends to be
sought are proper arrangement of letters,
correct pronunciation, sounds of letters.
and knowledge of silent letters He
said, that school properly graded into
two or more classes could be instructed
or heard at the same time, and, as an IL
lustration, divided the institute into two
grades, and in connection with Prof
Parr pronounced several words to each
division, thus bringing about a saving in
time and labor In concluding the work
upon spelling, he said, "That no general
rules, without many exceptions, can be
given for English spelling, but that the
ability to spell and pronounce words cor
Iectly depends upon the cultivation of
the memory, sense of sight and hearing.''
In my synopsis of the great work at
this institute, Emust not forget to take
notice of the careful treatise, given by
Prof Gray, on the subject of teaching
elementary arithmetic. He spoke Of
arithmetic as a science and an art show
ing the distinction, and stating that all
teachers should pay strict attention to
analysis, explanations and illustrations,
also to drill thoroughly In the getting of
results accurately and rapidly. Next, a
mention of the fundamental rules and
their vast importance IN all relations of
numbers was made, and deep impress
sion placed upon the minds of teachers
of the necessity OF exercising thorough
ness in the much neglected rule of simple
addition. He showed by example the
common way children are taught to add,
saying 6 and are 13 and are 81, etc,
whereas it is necessary to mention results
alone, as 6, ID, 81. Fractions are sadly
neglected in nearly all our schools and
are usually unpopular, because not thor
oughly comprehended, an evil which
should be remedied by careful and re-
peated explanations on the part of teach
ers until every pupil comprehends them
in all their details.
The lectures given by Prof. Gray, for
the benefit of the institute, are not to be
| forgotten The first on the ssUnaliena-
BILE Rights of Boys and Girls, = showed a
careful study into the subject and will
commend itself to all as worthy of re-
imembrance. 1t showed wherein our bows
and girls have rights which can not be
taken away, and which they have right
| to demand at the hands of those who
preside over their destinies. Thursday
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