Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-04-20
The Grammar Section i.

At "a. M. yesterday the usual array
of school teachers assembled at the
Normal School building to engage in
the fourth days session Of the Teach
er's Institute. Professor Plummer
called the meeting to order, after
which f. P. Rowell gave some
hints as to the best methods
of interesting pupils in tie
study of United States history.
In his school Mr.. Rowell required
pupils to read up from books at hand
on historical subjects, giving one or
more days for the contributions OF
each topic. Tariff, slavery, invention,
authors, ETC., were given as examples,
comparisons between the present and
and the past, reading biographies,
etc. A great, many odd, quaint and
curious questions were asked as an
illustration of the manner in which
the curiosity and interest of pupils
could be elected. Many different
textbooks were recommended by diff
ferent teachers. The card method Of
teaching United States history was
discussed, and class exercise given.
Miss Emily A. Rice gave an ex-
temporaneous talk on grammar and
composition in the ninth year.
Methods by which instruction com
bined with amusements. word games,
etc., were dwelt upon atlength. Miss
Rice, in her experience had found all
this direct and pleasant route to a
knowlege of composition.
A recess of ten minutes was taken,
after which Mrs. Anna S. Averill
called attention to the movement to
endow the Orphans Home, stating
that while she did not request or ask
donations, yet feeling that benevolence
was foundation stone of all moral
education. The subject was suggested
and if there were any interested in
this good cause, help would be gladly
received from them.
practical Entomology" the next
topic on the programme, was intro
duced by Miss Sara G. Monks, Of the
State Normal School, by an interest
ing paper, illustrated by black board
sketches and practical explanations.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was opened
with the usual strong and cherry
chorus, followed by the regular exer
cises; papers, etc.
Mr.. G. w. Weeks read paper on
"Physical Geography" in which he
, outlined some OF the practical features
of the study, after which discus
sions and methods being in or
der, q number of teachers advanced
their systems, experiences, etc.
The course, causes and climati,
changes resulting from the currents o
the Gulf and trade winds were ex
planned. The climate in California
was particularly discussed, the ab
sence of rein in summer being attrlb
uted not to an absence of moisture
but to the fact that the elements ne
cessary to the condensation were ab
sent, the temperature being too high
As the temperature became lower tn,
rainy season began. The precipita
ton at Mount Shasta was much great
er than at Sacramento and it constant
ly grew less southwark until the Te
hachapi mountains were reached
where it was again increased.
A. L. Hamilton read paper on al
zebra in which he severely condemne'
the use of~that branch in the country
schools and grammar grades. Tn
gentleman concluded by asserting tina
against Algebra he had the followin
charges to make:
1. Burglary, for breaking into tn
grammar grade; ~ obtaining none
under false pretenses for taking tn
time Of pupils which should be devot
cd to other banches; (3) murder, to
crushing thel leoQt of primary grade!