The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-09-05
THE INSTITUTE !
Minutes of the Meeting.

Minutes of the Meeting.
what the Teachers Talked
About.
A Pleasant and Profitable
Session.
The Teachers Institute for Mon
ongalia county opened promptly at
2 p. NJ, Aug. "a, 1885, at Morgantown.
After devotional exercises, the con-
ductor, Prof. T. f. Hodges gave
short address, indicating the work
to be done and defining the duties
of instructor and teachers respect
lively. The Superintendent then APP
pointed the following secretaries,
Miss Dora Dorsey and Will Stewart
as enrolling secretaries, Duncan Nc
Ra, Cor. Sec. for the Post and John
Laird, Cor. Sec for the NEW DonN
.soN. The first subject was Language
Lessons, opened by Prof Hodges.
Science of Teaching was next taken
up and discussed by Prof A. L.
Wade in which he dwelt largely on
the Importance of teaching pupils to
think for themselves. Also not to
crowd the memory with facts, but to
get more general knowledge of
subjects. In speaking of punish
ment he says, al am not going to say
that punishment or force should
never be used in school work but
do say that it should not be used to
secure lessons"
That the work of true teacher is
to create within the pupil love for
study, then the work becomes a
pleasure. And further that we ought
to be the embodiment of what we
want our pupils to be, to be ladies
and gentlemen in the highest sense
of the term.
United States History, the last
subject for the day was opened by
Prof. j. w. Smith in his usual pleas
ant way. He thinks that our histor-
les are too much taken up by anec-
dotes and wars which space could be
allowed to the biographies Of good
and great men who have figured in
the past, and to that which regards
ms as a civilized race.
Tuesday-Devotional Exercise
Prof Hodges being unwell Supt
Vandervort appointed Prof. A. L.
Wade, instructor.
Reading was opened by Spurgeon
Protzman, and further discussed by
Prof. Wade and others, in which the
rules for reading were somewhat
considered.
AS History was passed over rather
hastily the first day it was again
taken up by Prof. d. B. Purinton
followed by Smith and others. The
conclusion arrived at was that the
study of human history and the read
ing of reasonable amount of fiction
are incentives to awaken an interest
in the study of this particular
branch.
The subject of geography was
opened by A. S. Barker, followed by
quite a number of others.
Spelling was opened by Prof. A
L. Wade and further discussed by
others. 1t was thought best to teacf
both oral and written spelling, Civ
ing the greater part Of the time t.
written work. 1t was advocated by
some to do away with the spelling
book.
Language lessons, the first subjec
after noon, was opened by Prof h
L. keenan,, followed by Stansberry
McRa, Steel and others. The gen
eral opinion in regard to teachin.
this subject was that the child is t.
learn to do by doing.
After recess Miss Matte Bough
tner gave short talk on the subjec
of composition, which was listene'
; to with much interest.
) Next Mr.. McRa talked to us oil
the subject of writing.
= NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. exercise
after which the subject Of histor
was again taken up and discusse
by Prof Hodges in very earnes
. manner.
II Prof. Wade then discussed til
subject of colors.
Primary arithmetic was next di'
cussed by the conductor
u President Turner, of the Univers
ty, being present, was introduced b
u Prof Hodges, who made a very nes
little speech quite appropriate to tn
> work in which we are engaged. ii
y is a man who believes that the edi
cation of man is incomplete will
. out the development of his mor'
nature.
" ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
J. teaching, by Prof. B. L. Keenan,. II
;. believes more object teaching
~ essentially necessary to success
teaching; further discussed by th
institute.
The subject Of spelling was agai
taken up by the conductor, VII
le showed in a clear and forcible maj
y ner the Importance of teaching wri
Is ten spelling; also the rules for spell
ing were noticed.
y Geography, by Prof. Wade, illu
~ trated by use Of the globe. The
we're some questions brought Of
y that puzzled the Oldest.
9 MISREPRESENTATION exercises
Prof. Hodges gave drill in phi
: netics.
d School government was opened }
Prof. Wade, followed by quite
- <, number of teachers. Some believe
IL in punishment and some did nc
y One said he would not whip Il
girls. Mr.. Fontaine said, "if
y good for boys, it must be equal
good for the girls; Of course
Is would lay it on gently" 1t W
thought by most Of the teache
r who discussed this subject that
.. case of down right rebellion Il
sooner you whip that pupil the be
AZ ter for him and you too. Prt
Hodges said, $50 long as relics
r. .iso,;o,,, ax,;ot and M ono w