The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-02-28
Teachers Reunion.

Teachers Association was held at Lawrence,
Feb. 22d and Odd, having regular attend
ance of $50, including many of the most
successful teachers in both the graded and
district schools of our county. There were
many encouraging features connected with
this second reunion of the association, not
the least being the fact that it has passed
from @ state of bankruptcy to that enviable
position where il can not only meet all ex-
penses, but also have some money left in the
treasury. Another advance in the right direc-
ton is indicated by an increase in the number
of those who are willing to take their prop
er share of the work in the convention, and
in this regard we hope to see still more
increased improvement with every years for
the more shoulders there are to the wheel,
tho higher it will be lifted from the old
slough into which it had fallen, and where it
remained as long as only few labored to
extricate it, while the rest stood idly looking
on.
The meeting was organized Friday fore
noon, but, as many were unable to be pres
ent SO early in the day, nothing more was
done until afternoon, when the meeting was
addressed by the president, A. @. Martin,
after which Miss Nellie Bowles of Breeds
vile, read paper upon primary Reading"
Quite a discussion followed, led by Mrs.
Grove of Hartford.
A. j. Andrews of Porter, then gave his
views regarding the best methods Of teach
ing Geography, this discussion being led by
Eugene Hinckley of Breedsville.
A. w. Hitchcock of Decatur, next read a
very interesting paper upon U. S. History,
in which he spoke of patriotism" and
"desire for reading" as two very important
things to be gained by proper study of this
branch.
N.F Simpson of Keller, led the discus
sion in very able manner, and suggested
the teaching of historical facts to beginners,
under the guise of stories to be arranged
and related by the teacher, following this
method, in advanced classes, by topical reci-
tations.
j. w. Simmons of Dowagiac, next gave
short talk upon Homemade Apparatus"
and the meeting Adjourned until $3.50 p. m,
at which time they enjoyed an hour of
social, friendly interchange of thought, after
which Prof Simmons entertained them with
lecture entitled can Hour in Star-land."
The first subject taken up Saturday morn
ing was "Uniformity of Textbooks" and
this necessity was ably advocated by j. Ell
lott Sweet of Hartford, and discussion, led
by A. L. Jennings of Lawrence, resulted in
the adoption of the Observation-Disclosures
That a committee of three be appointed on
textbooks whose duties shall be:
LIST. To examine such books as shall be
placed in their hands by the various school
book publishers, and to select q list which
they deem best suited for use in our district
schools;
I'd. To bring the subject before the chair
men of the Board of School Inspectors at
their August meeting, and request them to
appoint committee to act with them;
Sd. To correspond with school-book pub
fishers, and ascertain what, if any, arrange
ments can be made for the introduction of
the books recommended;
4th. TO report the result of their labors
at special meeting of the association, to be
convened on the call of the president during,
or at the close of, the next State Teachers
Institute for this county.
The committee appointed in accordance
with this resolution, consisted of j. K. Sweet,
Hartford. A. T.. Jennings, Lawrence, and +.
M. Russell, Paw Paw.
A paper upon school Decorations" by
Miss Hettie Earle of South Haven, created
considerable enthusiasm, which, later in the
day, resulted in motion being made and
carried, that the committee appoint O "Tree
Day." and inform the teachers through the
press of their decision. If their efforts are
only persevered in, the day may yet come
when the barren wastes of our country
school yards will "bud and blossom like the
rose.
The next subject presented was that of
Grammar, 10y A. IL. Bennett of Bangor.
F. M. Grove of Hartford, also read paper
upon "The Work." after which the meeting
was adjourned to p. IN.
A. T.. Jennings opened the afternoon ses-
sion by remarks as to the Conduct of
Teachers" and the discussion which result
ed. was led by Rev. l.. w. Earle of Hartford.
Miss Lou. Chase of Bangor. read a very
entertaining paper upon "Rhetoricals," fol-
lowed by remarks by j. w. Simmons, shortly
after which the convention adjourned to
meet again at Hartford, Feb. Goth and list
1885.
1t was also decided that the next meeting
of the State Institute should be held at
South Haven. The officers of the Van Buren,
County Teachers Association for the fol
lowing year are: A. T.. Jennings, Lawrence,
president Miss Abbie Pearce, Decatur, vice
president. Miss Carrie Merritt, Lawrence,
secretary. j. L. Sweet, Hartford, treasurer
Members of executive committee are, Il. +.
iBIdOJ, AAilihtcNs iDICcNoNLlt. rs
w. Hitchcock, Decatur. +. Creagan, Hamil
ton.
Before adjournment the following resolu-
tons were adopted:
ResolCod, That we, the teachers of Van
Buren, county, do hereby express to the peo-
pie of Lawrence; our appreciation and graft
tude, for the kind and hospitable manner in
which they have entertained the members of
this association during its present session,
also that we thank their school board for
generously giving us the free use of their
school building.
Res0Lced, That we tender the thanks of
this association to Prof. j. w. Simmons for
his able address, also to Prof. A. L. Jennings
and his assistants for the excellent music
furnished by them, and for their successful
efforts, to make the meeting one of pleasure
and profit to all. aE
ResOlUed, That the president, secretary
and other officers of this association, who
have served us for the past year. merit and
have our appreciation for the efficient man.
ner in which they have performed their
respective duties, and that 10 those, who
have been elected to fill their places, for the
coming year, we pledge our hearty co-opera-
ton and good will.
LEVI W. DICKINSON,
y. ELLIOTT SWEET,
CORA RUGGLEs,
Nellie BowLEs,
Committee.