Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-21
SEDGWICK TEACHERS IN COUNCIL.
The Best Institute Ever Held In the County.

The annual meeting of the Sedgwick
| County Teachers association was held
| yesterday in the city high school and was
regarded as among the most successful Of
| its history. AT II a. m the association
was called to order by the president. Supt..
Pence. The forenoon session was devoted
to the election of officers for the ensuing
year, which resulted as follows: Presi-
dent, Supt. d. S. Pence; vice-president.
Miss Fannie Whitbeck, of Andale; secre-
tary, Prof j. c. South, city; treasurer, J.
V. Colville, of Furley.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The association convened at p N.
over one hundred teachers and friends
were present. The opening address was
given by Prof. E. L. Kempt, president of
the Wichita University. His topic was
''the most important educational princi
Piles of Pestalozzi." He said Pestalozzi's
life appeals to our sympathy because Of
the failure of his life. His work was a
failure because his principles were SO far
reaching. Some of these were, o.. All
primary education must be concrete. 81.
Industrial. 90. Morals are not learned by
memorIzing alone.
All education of children must appeal to
the senses There is much more of mind
culture in sense culture than most imag-
inc. Seeing and hearing are not SO much
matters of the eye and ear as of the mind
behind these. Seeing is the mind passing
judgment upon the impressions of light
received upon the nerves of sight. We
learn to appreciate the sublime song of the
poet by means of personal experience re-
ceiyad thrOnOh the CaDSa-k nOwl-
edge means mind culture. Sense-knowl-
edge lies at the base of knowledge Espe-
cially are child-minds adapted to sense
culture He made a very able argument
in favor of industrial education. The
address was listened to with much appre
citation and deep interest. Many of the
teachers have requested Prof Kemp to put
his address in writing and have it printed.
Next followed a discussion on the grade
method" led by Mr.. j. l.. Burris In his
remarks he called attention TO many com
mon mistakes made in teaching this sub
Ject. He also made mention of the follow
ing principles underlying the 'Grube
method" viz: /. Arithmetic is a lesson
in language. 2. Pupils do most of the
talking. g. Individual and class recita-
tions. 4. Use of objects to measure and
compare numbers. 5. Neatness of writing
figures. Mr.. Burris' remarks elected con-
siderable discussion. Mr.. B. B. Maust Of
fered a number of objections.
Mr. NJ. X. Weyeneth then read a very
interesting paper on School offenses and
the means of preventing them" He clas-
sifed offences into four classes and urged
the following means of prevention. O.
Employment. ~ Power of self control.
81 Good opinion of teacher o. Develop
ment of public opinion in the principles of
school government 81 Parental iuflu-
ence. Co Punishment.
Professor Chichester proceeded to COM
ment in a terse and practical manner upon
the subject named He stated that most
writers proceeded upon the theory that if
the teacher behaved himself the pupil
would be satisfied, instead of restraining
and culturing the pupil.
He also gave some good hints on punish
ment which were very instructive and
brought about a very animated discussion.
The kinds of punishment were described
in a paper by Mr.. o. V. Miller in a veLy
entertaining manner. He was followed
by several others. Professor W. S. Will /
liams, principal of Maize academy, read |
an able paper on Politics in Our Public !
Schools" He argued that from its alb
stractness and difficulty it should not be |
Taught in the public schools. From this |
view he limited public schools to mean
ungraded schools. He also linn
tied politics to mean the science of govern
ment. In this sense it might be taught, |
but always simply and incidentally. |
Many useful lessons might be CLEANED |
from history and geography, especially |
from physical geography. and the early |
history of states and countries. We teach |
by conservation concerning the |
of the pupils at home or
school, without in many cases calling it
So from biography, history |
and current news, and ETC., we may CLEAN
important lessons in politics without
calling them so.
Superintendent Pence then made some
very appropriate remarks relative to the
school work as now begun in the county,
calling attention to the great number Of
efficient educators who are taking an &C
tive part in the advancement of the edu-
cational interests in our county The
teachers of Sedgwick county are to be con-
graduated upon the success and interest
which attend their associations.
All the speakers were listened to through
out with closest of attention and deepest
interest. Both in matter and delivery the
addresses and papers are worthy of the
highest praise. The next regular meeting
will be held on the third Saturday of De-
cember.