The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-29
THE STATE
The High and Country School Sections Dis.
cuss Thor Methods of Work.

The High and Country School Sections Dis
cuss Thor Methods of Work.
The thirty third annual meeting of the State
Teachers Association begaa yesterday morning
at Plymouth Church, with the sectional pro-
grammes arranged for the high, and country ard
village school divisions. The subjects discussed
by the bigh-school teachers afforded a chance for
wide discussion, which the gentlemen used more
freely than the ladies', In this section c. I. Lain,
Of Fort Wayne. presided. with Miss Ahren, of
Spencer, as secretary, the attendance being
about 80, and including many of the most
prominent educators in the State. Mathematics
as q Factor in Mind Development" was the
first theme, ably treated by j. A. Carnagey, prin-
cipal of the Madison High school. He attrib-
uted unsatisfactory results of a course in math-
ematics largely due to the want OF a well-de-
fined purpose. There is much over-teaching,
and is leaves the pupil without the power to
solve a problem outside of arithmetic, because
he docs not understand the process in it's me-
chanical bearings. When it comes to original
work in geometry most pupils are helpless.
They cannot see what is to be done without a
book to guide them. He wanted much of irrel.
evant matter in textbooks omitted. On every
title page there should be mon multa sed mul-
tum." In the general discussion on this topic
the ideas suggested by tho paper were largely
favored.
George W. Hufford, of the Indianapolis High
school. presented a paper entitled Some OBJ
servations on teaching Latin in the High
school" in which he claimed that the modern
methods of teaching Latin enlarged the pupils
knowledge of English The relations Of words
are Of more importance after a thorough prepar-
atory drilling than parrot-like repetition of
forms and declensions. To discover thought is
the chief purpose of translation, and elegant ex-
preston of the thought discovered is of little
less importance. 1t is pernicions to allow pupils
to learn certain translations, to be used without
discrimination. The question now is, when a
pupil applies for admission to college, Can you
read an ordinary Latin passage with compare
tive ease and elegance?" not "What do you know
about certain Latin textbooks" Professor
Winslow, of Wabash College, said there was a
necessity of grounding we'll the pupils in their
primary and preparatory study of Latin. S. E..
Hardwood. of Spencer, thought a better knowl-
edge Of Latin idioms could be obtained from
literal translation followed by those of liberal
English.
.iLimitations in Pedagogical Psychology was
the theme OF a paper by James r. Hurst, super
intendent of the Union City schools. He held
that the teacher. to be eminently successful.
must be acquainted with the nature of child
mind, must have a knowledge, both general and
specific, of the subjects to be taught and should
be skilled in the best and most approved meth
DDS of the teaching art. 1t is not necessary that
the teacher be a metaphysician, but he ought to
have some knowledge of the fundamental laws
OF mind development. All methods should be
based on natural laws, otherwise the teacher be
comes An experimenter on the mind OF the child.
The science of pedagogy comes TO his assistance,
showing not what may be successful. bat what
must be successful. A teacher of today must
be a teacher in spirit and truth. The discussion
was sustained by Professor Carhart, of DePauw;
Professor Grant and Superintendent Jones, of
the indianapolis schools, who advanced various
metaphysical propositions.
In the afternoon Prof. Q. P. Jenkins. of De
PAW University, read a paper on Zoology in
the High-school." He did not favor text books
until the pupils had obtained the fullest possible
knowledge from practical observation and study
of animals. He said that whatever animal a pu-
pill could ged a hold of should become the object
of earnest and thorough study before the assist
ance of a textbook should bo required. It was
regarded "a a very able paper, and Won from
many of the. hearers expressions that showed
this method of teaching zoology to be popular in
theory il Gat N practice.
w, y. Mailman, superintendent of the La.
Porte schools, from tho committee on course of
high-school study, reported in favor of the fol-
lowing: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, general arlth-
metic; algebra as applied to geometry and science,
form. mensuratiou and experimental geometry,
geometic laws. trigonOmetry, surveying. geo.
metric drawing. Science-force, experimental
physics and chemistry, physical and chemical
laws, geology, life. botany. zoology, physiology
and physical geography for both classifcations.
History pragmatical history, political economy,
civilization. Lausuage-English, American and
English literature. etymology, rammar, con-
s~truction and rhetoric. But little discussion
followed, and the report was adopted without
division.
After elscting the following officers the Sec
ton adjourned until its annual meeting next
December:
President-w. w. Byera, Terre Haute.
Vice president-Miss Frances Simpson, Jefferson.
villa.