The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1884-03-20
ANOTHER REPORT, By aNov1cE. .

ANOTHER REPORT, BY "NovICE."
Cambridge, March 10th.
The morning was very stormy, and it
seemed that the elements had conspired
against the school ma ans, but about
eleven O'Clock they began to arrive, prov
ing beyond a doubt that Isanti county
school-ma ans are of true metal, and not
to be discouraged by trifes, though per-
haps tits hardly just to call the blizzard
Of to-day s'trifle.''
The Institute Conductors could not ar
rive before 3 P. NJ, and nothing could be
done before their arrival except enrolling
the names of teachers present
1t had been announced that State Supt.
Kiehle would lecture this evening on
The New Education, but falling to make
train connections at White Bear Lake,
could not reach Cambridge, and the au-
dience listened to an able lecture by Prof.
Gray, of st. Cloud, who presented as his
subject, "The Inalienable Rights Of Girls
and Boys" IT the sentiments of Prof.
Gray could be heard and carried into eff
feet all over our land, many of our girls
and boys would have great reason to
thank him for his defense of their rights.
and for SO earnestly declaring that in this
civilized and enlightened land, good
education is their birthright, and one
which it is wrong TO deprive them of.
TUESDAY, March 18th.
The hour of 9 A M found a goodly
number of teachers assembled, and after
the opening exercises, consisting of mu-
sic, reading of Scripture and repeating
the Lords Prayer, the Institute was con-
sidered formally organized, with Prof.
Gray as conductor, and Prof S. S. Parr,
of st. Paul, as assistant. A programme
Of the daily work was prepared and neat.
~ printed copies were presented to each
member.
The first subject presented was Lam
guage, and this, considered by Prof. Parr,
proved a pleasant and interesting study.
The following maxim was repeated by
the members in concert: s'fhe one safe,
sure, serviceable, attainabe quality is
that Of attention; it will grow in the
poorest soil, and in its own good time
bring forth flowers and fruit" It is to
be hoped this maxim will be remembered
by each one this week. Arithmetic fol-
lowed, and the division of fraction by
a fraction discussed and illustrated by
black board work, proving that the dem
onstratlon OF the rule is more difficult
than would appear. After recess came
reading and the manner Of teaching It In
primary grades. Then came geography,
and the decision was arrived at that tie
most important truths. of this science are
acquired before the age of five years by
observation; and all that the most skill
full teacher can do is to extend the work
already we'll begun. The Institute was
Il 3hQaa dismissed until I 20 ID .r ...y Isl
School Economy was first considered
after the noon recess, and the word econ
oiny discussed in its tpue and te-Azt
meaning, and some excellent hints given.
by Prof. Gray on this subject. Econom G
certainly needs to be practiced in the
school room as elsewhere History, as
often taught and as it should he taught,
occupied the time till recess, after which
came Hygiene and Method. Two very
important truths given to-day are, LIST,
The most important element of a good
school is a good teacher. End, A good
teacher must thoroughly understand the
subject she attempts to teach.
WEDNESDAY, March 18th.
Roll-cail showed about the same at
tendance, as yesterday, and the order Of
exercises was essentially the same, but
the feeling of strangeness had begun to
wear away, and the teachers looked, and
no doubt felt, more at ease. The Ian
guage exercise of to-day was very inter-
esting and showed that this study usually
considered dry and uninterestlng need
not necessarily be so, and many a teacher
saw where she had failed in this respect,
and we trust will be greatly benefited.
Arithmetic to-day treated Of the fun
damental rules, and by skillful methods
illustrated the teaching of addition to,
primary pupils in such manner that ali
four processes may be learned at the
same time This was a new idea to
many, but if thoroughly understood and
recess Prof. Parr continued the lesson in
reading, and after this the various meth
DDS of teaching geography were present
ed by Prof. Gray. The afternoon was
devoted as on the day before TO school
economy, history, hygiene and method.
The ventilation of school-rooms was dis
cussed anu many excellent hints given.
These lessons were interspersed with
pleasing anecdotes related by both Pro-
fessors, and exercises in calisthenics.
The teachers were warned against be-
coming dead while yet alive, and the as
sertion made, that because a person yet
walks abroad, and can dispose of a prop
err amount of food each day, he is none
the less dead. To this, we would add
that a person thus mentally and morally
dead, is of far less value to the world
than the one who has left behind him an
influence for good. though his form may
have been lost to the world for years.
THURSDAY, March 18th.
The interest manifested by most of the
teachers in the work of to-day must have
been quite gratifying to Supt. Booth, as
he has labered faithfully for the success
of the Institute, and deserves the highest
praise The schools of this county under
his management have been greatly i'm
proved, and every faithful teacher has 8
warm friend and a faithful counsellor in
Mr.. Booth. After animated work in the
various branches through the day, whicl,
apparently was thoroughly enjoyed by
everyone present, an invitation was Civ
Ell for q free lecture and stereopticon ex-
hibition in Hallin s. Peterson's hall. Al
the hour of 7:30 the hall was densely
| packed, and the audience was entertained
I by an explanation OF the .uarious scenes
I as tkey appeared on the screen. TIN
views were mostly of astronomical botlie.
and were highly entertaining and in
structiye.