Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-04-18
THE TEACHERS.
Interesting Discussions ON
Educational Topics.
HOW TO TRAIN THE YOUTH.
The Grammar Section at the
Normal School-The Primary
at Armory Hall.

bled at the Normal School building
yesterday, at 8 A. NJ, it being the
Grammar Division of the Teachers
Institute now in session in this city
Notwithstanding the life of the aver
age school teacher is not as free from
care as the life of the light-hearted
urchin, happy maiden, and frivolou;
youth, yet, when necessary, they car
throw off the monotonies of life, as
was evidenced by the bright, CHEEKY
and vivacious audience which assem-.
bled in the chapel of the Normal
School building yesterday.
Mr.. Plummer announced that he
had been placed in charge of the
Grammar Section by the County Su,
perintendent, and now the success ol
the meeting must depend upon the
teachers present. He hoped every
one would enter into the work with a
will and a spirit, and 50 insure the
good results hoped for. Emily A.
Rice read an interesting paper on
ssFifth and sixth year methods in
reading"
Chairman Plummer at the close OF
the reading of the paper announced
that few minutes would be devoted
to the discussion of questions or COM
ments on Mrs. Rice's paper. Consid-
cradle interest was manifest in the
subject and various theories were
advanced as to the best methods OF
training a pupil to correct articulation.
This was followed by practical ex-
temporaneous talk on the topic,
Language" by Superintendent G. T.
Meredith.
Before talking up the subject as
signed Mr.. Meredith reverting to the
subject previously under discussion
said:
l have felt so much interest in the
subject introduced by Mrs. Rice that
lido not know but it would be as we'll
to continue the subject. 1t has often
occurred to me that more is accom-
plished by not teaching reading at all.
That is not to put the pupil under
rules by which they are compelled to
articulate sentences, but rather teach
them articulation, pronunciation and
voice culture.
On motion of Superintendent W..
M. Friesner a committee was ap-
pointed to draft resolution express
sing it as the sentiment of the gram
mar section that the word 'first-year,
second-year," etc., be substituted for
'first, second and third grade" ETC.,
inasmuch as the city schools were
graded differently.
A brief recess was taken at this
point.
Following the recess G. L. Eunis
read an interesting paper on "Geog-
raphy."
This paper was followed by quite
an animated discussion, all, however,
to the disparagment of the time hon
ored study of geography in the good
old style of ''Have you heard geogra-
ply sung, how in day the earth be
gun, ,''and vermont Montpelier on the
Onion river" etc. The sense of the
meeting appeared to favor the late
method of teaching geography and
history together and especially the
former by reading stories of travel and
exploration. Harper's Magazine, the
st. Nicholas and the series of Zigzag
papers were highly recommended by
different teachers.
The moulding-boa method was
also discussed and recommended.
The method is the moulding, tracing,
etc., of maps for Typography of coun-
ties in clay, putty or plaster OF Paris
Superintendent Meredith drew map
ON the black board to illustrate his
method of teaching geography by
moulding. HIS method was quite
original and exceedingly interesting.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was opened
with the usual chorus singing, almost
every teacher lending their voices to
swell the chorus of sound.
The first topic on the programme
"Grammar and Composition, was
responded to by Miss Emily A. Rice,
who read an inseresting paper text
book.
This paper drew ont very interest
ing discussion, the many teachers ex-
pressing themselves freely on this
most important subject.
Text books up to the eighth year
were not favored by majority OF the
teachers. While the text book was a
necessity in the hands of the teacher
or advanced student, it was losing
favor in the hands of the less ad-
vanced classes. This was the general
experience Of those present.
"United States History-To close Of
the Revolutionary War;" assigned to
TO Prof. E. P. Rowell, was responded
to by the Professor resolving the in
stitute into school class, and in this
manner demonstrating his method of
this branch of study. A blackboard
exercise was exhibited and explained.
The Professor requested that each
teacher select five topics from the
history of the Revolution as ground
work for lesson which he proposed
to give. Quite a lively discussion fol-
lowed Prof. Rowell's exercises. The
taxing of the memory of pupils with
numerous dates was condemned.
Prof. Moore was heartily in sympathy
with the move to boycott dates.
After recess of ten minutes, Mrs.
T. Coleman read one of the best pa
pers offered during the ses- ion on
''Physiology." 1t was replete with
the most practical methods of present
ing that very imp ,rtant science and
full Of plain advice to teachers. 1t is
much to be regretted that the paper
cannot be published on account Of
limited space.
The Primary Section.
The teachers who were assigned to
the Primary Section met yesterday
at Armory Hall promptly at nine
O'Clock. The meeting was called tc
order by Prof. j. N. Keran. Miss
Alberta Foster read an instructive
wovar IN fho Grof xyao 30, u-orIy IL, oo6 /