Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-04-09
Arithmetic, Language, How to In.
terest Children, Sciences, Mu-
sic, Drawing, Etc, Etc.

In the intermediate section, the roll
being called, Superintendent Hinton
called upon Superintendent Meredith,
who impressed on the Institute the i'm
portance OF exactness in studying any
subject. The pupil shoald be expected
to do his best work at all points and as
aids the best models should be put be-
fore him.
Superintendent McGrew then took mp
the subject Of language. The history OF
the growth and influence Of Language was
dwelt upon with much clearness. The
great thing is to see that the pupil hears
and reads good English if he is expected
to use it correctly. A child as he enters
school has vocabulary Of say 400 words.
A good many Of these are slang. The
teacher should try to supplant these with
proper words.
Miss NJ. c. Hale. Principal of the
Griffith avenue school, presented pa
per on geography, which attracted a
good deal of attention.
Miss Halle Bradshaw followed in the
discussion of the subject probably.
Superintendent G. 7. Meredith illus
trated the manner of teaching geography
on the board. He thought tine State Of
California afforded peculiar advantages
to the teacher OF geography.
Professor J. W. Roadway was present.
He thought no textbook on the subject
could ever be satisfactory in the primary
department.
Miss NJ. j. Titus followed with talk
on the purpose of object teaching. She
claimed this method Of teaching should
be given In some connected method.
Prof. c. Nj. Woodward of st. Louis,
Prof. Davidson Of the Academy Of Sci
ence at San Francisco, Prof. Runkle Of
the Massachusetts, Institute of Technol-
ogy, Gov. 7. T. Crittenden OF Missouri,
james McAlIister, Superintendent OF
Public Schools of Philadelphia, M. de
Lajolais, of Brussels, French Commits
sioner for the Improvement Of Indus
tries, and Others were cited.
THE GRAMMAR SECTION
Was called to order by Professor Mel
Vile Dozier, OF the Branch Normal
School. He read paper on Grammar
and Composition. The chief thing
aimed at in this study is ease and pre-
cision in the expression Of thought. As
now taught pupils have universal adj
florence Of composition. The fault is
in the method in use. The setting of
given subject for the whole class to
write compositions ON was not good
way. A good way to teach composition
is to have weekly written review Of
the studies of the previous days. Lst
the pupils criticise each others work in
this respect.
Mr.. Bray of the Central School fol.
lowed in a discussion of this question.
He agreed with the previous speaker. and
added that the text books uses were OF
doubtful utility in teaching composition.
Miss Packard opposed the views Of the
last speaker. She thought the works Of
great authors could be used with profit |
as models of composition.
After recess Prof McGrew took up |
physiology and history. In the former
study most attention should be paid to
hygiene. II should be made as practical
as possible. As to history, the pupils |
should be taught to see the effect of |
given causes in the study.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
On coming together after noon Super |
intendent Hinton introduced to the In
stitute Prof. W. T. Welcker, StateS Super
intendent OF Public Instruction. Mr..
Welcker expressed his qualification in
again being brought face to face with the
teachers of Los Angeles county. He an
nounced as his experience in all parts Of
the State that unusual interest is being
taken in Institute work and much good
being accomplished by these meetings to
compare notes. The opponents of the
work, which were very numerous few
years ago, are now scarce. The division
Of the Institute into sub.sections for
special work has been found good In
this way all the teachers find time and
opportunity to express their views and
that, too. on the work right in their own
hands.
Professor Ira More, of the State
Branch Normal School, addressed the
assembly on the subject of Industrial
Education" He said it had come about
that the world looks to the public
school for all Advancement in good
things. Every specialist thinks his pet
ideas should find a place in the studies
Of the public schools. One Of the most
important questions now before the
country is the relations OF capital to
labor. The schools are looked TO for a
solution of this difficult problem. The
old system Of apprenticeship finds no
more place in our economies. 1t is coma
ing to BIO expected that the schools will
furnish what was obtained through the
discarded system. II is now demanded
that the schools shall train carpenters,
printers, blacksmiths, shoemakers.
This is difficult of Accomplishment.
Through the grammar schools the course
should be the same for all pupils. Be-
yond this point all divergence into
special studies and pursuits should take
place. In Industrial education much
could be done Of the same nature as is
now done in preparing pupils for profess
sions. There are schools for lawyers,
doctors, dentists. So there will have to
be schools of agriculture, mechanics.
trades. Special training in all branches
is the tendency of this practical age.
Mr.. w. F. Bray, Principal Of the
High School, followed with discussion
on the "Use and Abuse of Text Books. -
The books cannot be totally discarded.
But it is an abuse Of them to have ques-
tons printed at the bottom Of each page
: with answers printed after them. His
tory and geography are specially liable
to abuse. The discussion was followed
up by Mr.. S. T. Pencier with some per-
tinent remarks in the same strain.
Miss l.. A. Packard next discussed the
use OF the text book. The whole diff
ference between the educated and an.
educated is that the former knows the
books and their uses, while the latter
does not know either. There is some
tendency to look to the teacher for too
much. The teacher is expected to do
all, and the pupil to do nothing. There
is much fascination in oral instruction.
but ualess very wisely used it leads to
no definite results. The pupil must be
taught to work for himself, and the
teachers duty is largely to see that he
knows how to work to best advantage,
and that he actually does the work.
Miss Lucy Ricketts, followed in the
discussion of the topic. She spoke Of
the proposition as it appeared to the
teacher of primary branches.
Mr.. Doanne, gentleman Of San
Diego, was allowed to give his expert
ence on election boards and other mat
tiers,
The teachers were invited to purchase
memorial Of the late Henry B. Norton,
the proceeds OF which publication are to
90 to the fund for the benefit Of the fam
liz OF the de ,eased.
After the recess Mrs. C. p. Bradheld,
teacher Of drawing in the city schools,
gave a little lecture on the subject.
Mrs. Il. A. Underline then, on the
blackboard, gave illustrations on the
subject. Her class, the fourth grade in
the Central High School, assisted in
this interesting feature. The children
are about 10 or ii years old. They
have been training for some three weeks
in drawing insects and show great pro-
icienoy. Some drew from the objects.
others from measuring. Mr.. +. IL.
Howard then gave his views on the sub.
iect with much force and enthusiasm.