Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-12-25
SINE DIE.
End Of the Wheeling Teachers
| Institute.
A VERY SUCCESSFUL SESSION.
Speeches by Profs, Newell, Hancock, Fay,
Brown. Wade, and Drs.
Reeves and Jepson.

ne was IoloWeQ Dy Df. Jonn HANCOCK on
the same subject in an appropriate speech.
Following him an opportunity ~as given
To- all who desired to subscribe for the
Journal to do 30, Twenty-Five new names
were added to the list. "
DR.. NJ. A. Newell gave an interesting
talk on : ~
I GEodRAPHf. s
He suggested new plan for teaching this
branch Of study which appears very plsus
iole. He remarked that in the old coun'
tries their history to great extent wsi
written on the map. In England espec'
tally the names Of the towns is suggestive
of the various invasions Of that country.
DR.. John Hancock gave very instrue'
tive talk on Recitation He said: Re
citation is not the chief end of school work,
as quite number indeed would have us
think.
THE FIRST PURPOSE
of Q re rtcitatiou is to ind out whether stu,
dent knows his lesson. Second, it euables
the teacher to make plain what is obscure.
A failure to clear mp the difficult points in
q branch leads to bad habits Of study.
There are tWo classes Of poor teachers, one
teaches TOO much and the other too little
We should aim to make our pupils inde-
pendent; always aim to inspire and en-,
courage, and don't give child too much
at lesson. Third, teacher should add
new matter to the text.
As to
THE METHOD or TEACHING,
would say that answers to questions
should be prompt. II is the plan Of some
to always call on the dull student to recite.
This consider bad plan. for it has de-
cided tendency TO discourage the good
ones and is q poor method of infusing en-.
thusiasm into the other. We should strive
to get thoughtful answers from our pupils.
Their attention on the subject should be
secured. Whenever there is lack OF
attention put question in that direction.
Let the recitation be by the student and
not by the teacher. Strive to put answers
in good forms and in good language. This
will be lesson in language. Let the
teacher not forget to cultivate q pleasant and
clear way Of putting questions.
DR.. J. E. Reeves then read paper on
"CITIzENsHIP."
He said: The ordinary course OF com,
mon school instruction is admirably fitted
to mould and modify the national mind
into harmony with the artificial forms and
progressive relations Of civilized society.
He insisted upon the teachers not for
getting to look to the health OF their pupils
His paper was carefully prepared and
treated his subject at length. At the con
clusion of DR.. Reeves remarks recess
was given until p. m.
At the afternoon session DR.. Newell re-
sumed the
TALK on GRANNER,
from yesterday. He said; ut was moi
unusual for men to rush from one ex
treme to another. Some want to do away
with grammar in our common schools
and others want to devote too much time
to it. Let US eliminate the errors we have
fallen into in teaching it rather than doing
away with the entire subject.
The radical error consists in the false
notion that memoriziDg rules is a good ed
ucational process. Formerly II was the
task Of the student TO memorize all the
branches. Bot no human being ever learn
ed anything by such work. Its
FALSE NOTION,
and am glad to see It gradually being
abolished. What We learn We learn through
concrete objects and the mind makes its
own distractions Definitions generally
are wonderful exhibitions Of what is in.
comprehensive. They bring no meaning
to the mind of the pupils.
Of the 90 called rules OF grammar some
are useless and some are false. We do
not write or speak according to rules Of
grammar, but We write and speak as We
hear others.
Grammar is properly a metaphysical
study and should not be given the pupil to
study untilit has acquired some intellectual
growth
DR.. Hancock followed with talk on
FRIDAY AFTERNOONS"
He began by saying: Il want to insist on
the teachers to aim to get their pupils to
read lntelligsntly. A good evidence Of
non-intelligent reading is when child
miscslls g word and does not notice it.
Intelligent reading is the foundation for
everything.
mo one can teach reading out Of the
text book alone. Give miscellaneous read.
ing. Be sure and don't promote a child
that can't read.
Coming to my sub CT | would say that
exhibitions are a good thing when run
properly. The dull ooy csn frequently be
aroused by them Ii gives chance
in the beginning to teach pupils
power in expression deem it 9 good
plan both to advance the pnpils and inter
est the parents
The day is coming wheE every teacher
will know how TO sing and draw. We
should give more attention to these now
Music, especially, is civiGzer.
| At the conclusion oil DIR. HAncocks re
marks the following gentlemen were call
ed upon TO speak, and
RESPONDED IN PLEASANT WORDS
Prof Charles Fay, Wyoming, Ohio; Hon
Leroy D. RroEn. State Commissioner o
Schools Of Ohio; Prof Bro En, Of Wheeling
Female College; Prot A. S. Wade, o
Morgantown, and Dr.. Jepson. the onl.
member Of the School Board o
.Lo o;.y vho uaa nrenent III,