The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-03-02
Teachers, institute.


Institute called TO order at 1890 a. m.
In the absence OF Supt. Grimes, Mr.. Alfred
Hover was elected chairman and q. II.
Rey uolds and Miss Hattie Bidleman sp-
pointed secretaries. Rev. q. b. Dechant
conducted the Devotional exercises and the
Institute Joined In singing the old familiar
hymn, "Nearer My God to Thee"
Prof. G. II. Albert then took up the sub.
ject Of History. ''The child should have
instilled into his mind desire to know
and to become acquainted with the doings
Of the.people, their modes OF living, indus
tries, &c. This can best be taught by re.
lating suitable stories and then having the
children give them In their own language;
always encourage them TO express them
selves clearly, and to pay particular atten-
ton to all questions asked. After pupils
have been in school four or five years, the
word may then he taken up topically, and
pupils should be encouraged to use all the
text books at their disposal. BE sure to
locate all important geographical points
and, as far as possible, teach geography
and history together"
Miss Howe gave an excellent class drill
In numbers, measuring the number four by
three, and afterwards tested the pupils
knowledge by means of cards, toy money,
&C.
In the absence Of some OF the speakers,
Mr.. Greasy, director, opened the subject Of
geography, saying that too often valuable
time is wasted by the teacher in dwelling
on minor points, aud not bringing out
clearly that which is OF far more import
ance to the pupil. Maps should be made
so ss to gire only birds eye view, as 1t
were, of the countries.
The subject was further discussed by
Profs. Albert and Cope. The latter claim.
ing that the way to teach geography is to
make it real, live and interesting, and one
Of the best way Of doing this is by mould.
ing. BY so doing the relative heights can
be given, the courses Of the rivers marked
out, and the productions peculiar to any
part located, thus giving the pupils birds
eye view, real living picture, and not
merely the bare facts and words. In re-
gard TO what should be taught and what
should be left untsugbt, depends upon the
tact of the teacher. To require the pupils
to memorize all the names of all the rivers,
cities, the parallels, &C., is simply absurd.
Teach only the most important rivers and
cities, few Of the principal points, and
use them as guide by which to locate the
others.
Institute adjourned to meet at 1;30 p m.
Institute called to oraer by the chairman
at the appointed time.
Singing, "Wsit and Murmur Not" by
the Institute; after which Miss Kurtz gave
an interesting class drill on physiology.
Bessie Miller, pupil from Mr.. Vought's
school, then favored the Institute with a
solo, Crock Bye Baby" and a number
of pupils drilled by Misses Brown and
Kefer gave concert recitation entitled,
"What We Shall Be-"
DR.. Waller next addressed the Institute
on Discipline. Among the essential
qualities necessary on the part of teacher
to discipline his pupils, he gave those Of
neatness, firmness, gentleness, and even
ness. As we had the privilege Of hearing
only part Of this address we can not give
the substance of it, but know that 1t was
appreciated by all.
The subject OF decimal fractions was
taken up and developed by Mr.. /. II. Win
ter, after which Prof. Cope spoke on "Cri-
ticism of Language Work." Language
work should begin very early and should
be mostly written" In answer to the
question, "Should the teacher be expected
to examine oil this work9" the Prof. says
that on the principle of the "Child's learn
ing to do by doing" he, and not the teach
er, is the one TO examine and critisize the
work" To show clearly how this may be
done he gave q class drill, which was both
interesting aud instructive.
Singing by double quartette from room
4. Mr.. Hover then opened the subject of
reading. Especial attention should be
given to thought getting, and teachers
should always first ascertain whether pup
lis have the thought before allowing them
to read. Pupils should not be held too
closely to the reading book, but be given a
great deal of supplementary reading"
Silent reading, oral expression, proper man.
ner and time of critiszing, &C., were taken
up and discussed by different persons.
The Institute was then favored with an
address by DR.. Kline who, among other
things, said that he was glad to see the in.
terest manifested by not only the teachers,
but also by the pupils, patrons and direct
ors, ana that 1t is certainly a step toward
the front. In speaking of cooperation on
the part Of patrons the DR.. said: "Since
the welfare of the country depends upon
the interests taken in the education of the
chidren; and since the teacher is parity
held responsible for the intellectual training
OF the children, the parent should always
keep in mind that whenever the child il
allowed TO remain at home, not only are
the chiid's interests underrated, but also
the teachers work interfered with.
Mr.. E. b. Guie next spoke on the I'm
portance of paying close attention to tn,
promotion of pupils and urged the parent:
tn keep children 10 school as long as pos
sible, saying that not more than a5 per cen
nj the pupils In the primary grades eve
reach the high school, and not over pc
cent. are ever given the privilege Of attend
ing higher institutions of learning.
q. II. REYNOLDS, o.
Miss HATTIE BIDLRNAN, I See'