The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-01-05
THE TEACHERS INSTITUTE.

WooDsFIFLD, o., Jan. a, 1886.
Ed SPIRIT: We had the pleasure OF
attending the Monroe County Iustitut
held in til' place. DUNG the past week,
and take this opportunity to make kno wn
i's proceedings to the reaiers tf the
SPIRIT.
Contrary TO custom the teachers began
to assemble ia large numbers on Mon.
day, and at one o'clock p. m, the house
was called 10 order nv Pres Goddard.
The secretary being absent, +. Brown
was appointed, and the work commenced.
State School Commissioner Hon. L. D
Brown delivered lecture on s.School
0 gan;zation." Prof. r. II Holhrook
also, spoke on the same subject. They
fivored the adoption OF regular course
of study. and the establishment of q
graded 8, stem 10 our public schools.
The result OF the discussion was The
appointment of committee of five teach
ers to prepare q course of study, and to
meet with commitlee consisting OF ont
local director from each township, and
70 further discuss the sntjact. Oae
teacher from each township was ap.
pointed to see that the delegates be Sc
lecied.
The spirit of the lectures was not to
disparage our system, bnt to suggest 9
gradual Improvement. The plan sdvo-
Gated is prac ical, not iheoret cal. II i,
tn establish not ct once, hut in due time,
similarity in hooks and system all
over the state; and to have each pupil
know just what be is to do, and just
when be 10 to do it.
. her engagements compelled Prof.
Brown to leave on Moniav evening, and
Prof. Halbroak occupied the time in
discussing history, reading and peda
goaics. The history of the U. S, be.
compared to building, noting the
changes and progress through The dif-
!erent periods OF preparation, erection,
and rspairing.s He gave a simple and
concise narration OF the important dates
and even's, so associated as. to connect
each event with its pre- per date, and also
suggest the next event.
Bat his plan for teaching reading is
more important. because it is more gen
eral. more prsc ical and less understood
by teachers. He insists that the reading
recitations are to tain pupils to under-
stand and erpress ideas If the Monroe
teachers will adopt this theory. and carry
it out. our schools will soon he second
to none in the state. The lectures on
pe'iagogics brought out many points
which were we'll received by the teachers
The executive committee acted wisely
in employing Prof. Holbrook, for be
proved himself competent, not only in
powers IF endurance, but also in the art
of iostruciing iu plain common sense
manner. Come again Professor.
The audience vas ireqnentlv enter.
tanned with vocal music by Miss Emma
Harlan. Misses Belle and Tempa Sinclair.
Miss Lrcv Pearson. Prot Holhrook, Mr..
Thos. Rouse and Mr. Ell. Harlan, Mrs.
West al the organ. In one # the read.
ing drills there was lively di.pute abnu,
the object of .be verb ..teil," IN the first
siarzs of LongfelIow's poem "The
Psalm OF Life" Some agreed that 1t is
The 81 cond line, ard come, that it is the
second. third and fourth lines, which is
it teachers2
The followiug list of officers was elect.
ed TOR the ensuing year:
President-J NJ. Goddard
Vice Presidsnt-G. B. Lynch.
Sscretary-D. K. Ln,by.
Treasnrer-W. T. Wood.
Executive Committee r. P. Yoho
Jas. H. Hamilton and W. NJ Wood.
The last day Friday was "Oirectors'
Day." Cards had been sent to the di.
rectors in the different districts in
vi'ing them to attend. and many were
present The object was to arouse a
more active interest in the school work,
and in school management. Directors.
as well as teachers, should attend the
institutes
Flidsv evening, after the discussion
OF queries, and general "social" the
meeting adjourned, TO meet at the ckll
Of the Executive Committee. G.