Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-04-08
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.
Education Discussed in all
Its Varied Phases.
THIRD DAYS PRocE EDINGs.
Numbers, Language, Higher Matll-
ematics, Music-SeOpe and
Theory of Teaching.

The County Teachers Institute re-
assembled in the Sixth Street Baptist
Church yesterday morning, with very
full attendance Of pedagogues present.
In the Primary Section Miss Mary J..
Titus, OF the State Normal School at
san Jose, opened the discussion on
"Numbers."
The Secretary being absent, the duties
Of the position were discharged by Mrs.
Garbutt.
The discussion on arithmetic embraced
the work OF the second year. Miss
Titus treatment of the subject was prac.
teal. The topic was then discussed by
other teachers present. After recess
Miss Titus took up the subjects set,
Language" and Geography" and
treated both in the same practical way.
The subjects were also discussed by the
teachers of the department.
In the Grammar Section, Prof. Mel
vile Dozier, Of the State Branch Normal
School, presiding, discussion by Super
intendent c. H. McGrew speaking on
the subject Of "Grammar-how to teach
1t, and the mistakes that are made. ="
The speaker held that much Of the fail
ures and difficulties encountered in this
branch were due to the errors Of the
books, which are often on false basis as
to the true science of the English Ian
guage. The grammars, so-called, do not
teach how to use the language.
After this paper general discussion
followed on the subject until the recess
hour arrived.
After recess Mrs. y. ii. Clark explain
cd the duties OF the County Board OF
Education in introducing Primary &C.
ometry in the Grammar Grades"
Mr.. c. +. Meredith, County Superin-
tendent of Ventura county, gave prac-
tical statement of how Intentional &c.
ometry is taught in the schools under his
charge. One point made was that the
progressive teacher always makes much
Of the work done 'inventional. The
method pursued in Intentional geometry
and its practical value were dwelt upon.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION
Was opened by a song after the calling
of the roll. 1.-THE Object of Recita.
ton" was then taken up by Mr. 7. N.
Wells OF Tustin. The speaker held that
the recitation was the point where the
results of all other efforts center. Or
ganization, discipline, method all aim al
getting the recitation properly per-
formed
Mr.. G. w. Moores, of Artesia, fol-
lowed in the discussion. He held all
depends on the teacher. II he is en-
thusiastic and methodical something
will be accomplished.
Mr.. Il. G. Little, of Pomona, con.
tinued the discussion. This gentleman
showed how much more important the
teacher is than the textbook used. In.
attention on the part OF the pupil is gen.
orally the fault OF the teacher, who does
not know how to interest the class.
Mr.. Theo. Shaw, OF Downey, held
that the recitation should have for its
object the helping of the pupil to
think, and to express his thoughts
properly.
MIR. f.. w. Guthrie, of Maizeland,
closed the discussion. He thought the
teacher should explain the scope and
meaning of each lesson when he assigns
it. Superintendent Hinton warned
teachers against the common fault of
setting too much work to be done in
one lesson. What is set should be well
done, and backward pupils should be
encouraged.
After recess Mr.. A. s. McPherron,
Principal of the Eighth street school,
read paper on 1.-THE Responsibility of
the Teacher in Developing the Citizen"
/ he lecturer held that physical educa-
ton shold receive a good deal of atten-
ton and an earnest effort be made to
correct defects where they exist. How
to study is an important matter.
The formation of habits should
be carefully watched. The difference
between essentials and non essenlials are
carefully to be pointed out. Hurry
should be avoided, and the work done
should be thoroughly done. "a squash
grows, like Jonah's gourd, in night,
but the strong oak is the result of GEN.
tury's growth" The aim of school gov
eminent should be to teach self-govern-
ment. The essential elements are
promptness and obedience. Honesty
and sobriety should be inculcated.
Patriotism is another thing to be euti-
waited.
Professor Kellogg, of the State Uni
versity, was called to the floor for some
thoughts on the same subject. He
pointed out the greed of gold which
is too much the motive of effort and am
lition. The mind and its faculties, their
training and value were insisted upon.
American citizens owe to themselves and
their country to see that no aristocracy
ever be allowed to control their nation,
and above all no aristocracy of money.
Mrs. Alice l.. Armor, of Orange, read
a very smoothly constructed poem. full
of numerous reflections on the life of the
country school master, with all its tolls,
difficulties and final reward, including
the inevitable "poetic justice" of a glo.
rious apotheosis.
In the evening Professor Kellogg, of
the State University, delivered lecture
ON Language as an Index to Charac'
ter"