The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1886-05-22


State Superintendent Morgan has
sent out his programme of County
Institutes, and it is the most inter
esting document of that kind that
We have ever seen. 1t is full of SEN
sible suggestions for teachers and
others interested in the free school
work of the State. Some of the top
les for discussion at the night ses-
sions are very important; for exam
pie:
"How can the school youth of the
State be supplied with suitable read
ing matterf"
THE teachers term of Office"
"The natural sciences"
The importance of establishing
by law an Arbor Day in West Vir-
ginia-"
SHOULD Industrial Schools be es-
tablished in connection with the
Public Schools"
'The wisdom of establishing a
Reform School for West Virginia"
There are some very sensible re-
marks on the improvement of school
grounds, which we desire to endorse
most heartily. Here they are:
THE influence of the school upon
its pupils is not limited to the in
struction given by the teacher, but
extends to everything appertaining
to the school house and its surround
ings- Ornamented walls, paved walks,
yards planted with beautiful trees,
shrubs and vines all have their in
fuence upon the pupil, and must
greatly aid the teacher in the work
of teaching morals and manners, as
well as in the government of the
school. In the work of fencing
school grounds, and planting orna
mental trees, and in creating and
moulding the necessary public senti
ment the teacher must be looked to
to take the lead. 1t is earnestly
recommended that proper attention
be given the subject before the In
stitute."
On the subject of newspaper
there is the following paragraph:
Newspapers are perhaps thu
greatest ally of the teacher in tn,
war upon ignorance and prejudice
This is the age of newspapers. Tn,
editors of the papers are all favora
BILE to the cause of universal educa
tion, and are willing to publish an.
item of news concerning the schools
or give space to profitable discus
sions of timely topics concerning
methods of teaching, government o
schools or taxation for education
Quite number of papers in tn
State now devote column or NOR
to education in their respective coun
ties, the County Superintendent ant
teachers acting as editors. This &C
!, ton shows not only the generosit
of the editors, but the growing in
terest of the people as well. Teach
ers should read the papers, an
teach their pupils how to read then
! The pupils will depend upon the pa
pers after leaving school for praC
teal realization of much that i
taught them while there"
The appendix is devoted to tn
discussion of Teachers Readin
Circle for West Virginia. On thi
subject Mr.. Morgan says:
"The advantages likely to resul
from the movement are certainl
quite plain and obvious. q Ores
good must result from concerted az
ton for so laudable a purpose b
the teachers of the entire Stat
! (2) There are many young and mex
, perienced teachers who earnestly d.
sire to improve themselves, who d
not know just what to read. In tn
Reading Circle they not only find
wise course of study presented fo
e them but they will have the encoul
9 agement and stimulation GROWN
| out of the uniformity of the NOV
e ment (3) The books comprisin
/. the course of reading can be procul
| ed at much below the regular pric
e which is matter of no small COZ
' sideration to teachers"