The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-20

Thursday, Aug. 20, 1885.
Institute Notes.

sion to which he aspires. Go ahead
Charlie. and may You become one OF the
great men of the age.
The Highland school board were Ill
last Friday and employed J. II. Nelsley
to teach their school. The selection IS
q good one.
jill. Engle will be found at his old
place. Dist. No. 10, this winter. John
is a success in whatever he undertakes.
The ladies are doing good work, and
we are glad to note that many OF the
schools of the country will be filed with
lady teachers. The old idea that 1t
takes a strong. muscular man to teach
school is passing away, and parents are
beginning to realize that women can
teach school just as well as men. Give
the ladies a chance.
Quite number of the teachers signed
for Johnston's Encyclopedia which is
said to be a very excellent work. Prof.
Palm left on Monday morning for Nc
Pherson in the interest of this work.
E. r. Potter is one of the liveliest
Young men of the Institute and a special
favorite among the young ladies.
A number of teachers called upon
Chas. Bear Friday evening, in honor OF
his birthday. Mr.. b. was somewhat
surprised but was equal to the occasion
and, and after spending several hours
in pleasant amusements, the many
couples departed wishing Charlie many
years of prosperity, and all feeling that
it was an evening pleasantly and profit
ably spent.
The photographer was viewing the
many happy faces last Friday. We
have not learned whether his instrument
does good work since, but we hope that
he got good picture.
Prof. Greenwood was sick last Thurs
day afternoon and did not get to lecture
at the NJ. Z. church, although the
house was filled with persons anxious
to hear him. After the musical force
had given quite an exhibition of talent,
Prof. Bullock was made chairman of
the meeting and responded with very
interesting talk on the subject of reci-
tatiOns. He was followed by Prof. jerks
who is ever ready with something good,
and this proved to be one of his best
efforts. His speech to the teachers, al
though eXtemporaneOus, was full of
good practical suggestions, and he was
heartily applauded as he took his seat.
Prof. GreenwOod's lectures have been
a notable feature of the Institute. He
has discussed questions of practical use
to the teachers. In short talk on
'Recitations,' last Friday he brought
out the following: The attention of
the pupil must be secured, but not by
commanding it. Attention is something
that the child must learn. The differ
ence between an educated person and
one who is uneducated is, the former
can concentrate all his powers on CELL
tral point, while the latter cannot.
The pupil must do the reciting and
not the teacher. Every pupil must be
reached, and in order to do this the
teacher must look after the dull pupils,
and get them interested so that thew
will talk.
With few exceptions, the teacher
should not do for pupil that which the
pupil can do for himself. 1t is not
what the pupil gets, but the effort he
makes is what develops him.
All assistance should be given during
the recitation, and every teacher should
be "time teacher giving to each reel
tation a definite portion of time.
Let the pupil answer questions in his |
own language rather than in tie Ian
guage of the book, by which he will
form habit of independence and thor
oughnesS.
III. E. Speer, ex-State Superintendent.
was welcome caller last Friday and in
in his happy manner addressed the
teachers. After eulogizing the teachers
OF Dickinson county, he said that Kas.
has won an enviable reputation as a
live progressive State in educational
matters. He thought that our school
system is improving. The last legisla-
ature acted wisely in changing the law
governing certificates, thereby making
more Independent profession.
There is no use of a teacher of pood
'bility being required to pass All exam
nation every year. lie emphasized the
dea of more thorough system in rural t
school work; schools should be organ t
zed upon the basis of a course of study
md the child should not be compelled Q
o go oyer the same work every wear t
lie spoke of Prot. Jewett's taking the b
mid OF six years and pasSingit through
he various grades, until at the AGE of +
thirteen it is found tapping at the High S
'chool and at seventeen years gradua- d
ed. Ii such were the case in the coun- u
ry schools we would not find so many r.
uplls who are very proficient in some Il
tudies to the neglect of others. He Il
rged the teachers to form a County ~
.eading Circle. and gave some very er- ~