, 1889-08-27
%C0NGRESS0F TEACHERS
The Laramie County Educators in
Session.
About Forty Teachers Attending
the Institute.
Complete Report of the First Days
Proceedings.

building, was opened at 9 O'Clock yester-
day morning by singing with Prof. Allen
as leader and Miss Louise Yreeland plan
list. After the singing Mrs. J.. w.
Breckons, county superintendent of
schools, appointed Miss Mary Regan of
Bordeaux, secretary of the institute, and
by slips of paper passed among the teach
ers, on which the names were to be writ
ten, the secretary was enabled to more
easily arrange the roll of those in attend
ance.
The first exercise was the subject of
reading presented by Miss Anna f. Kun
kle, teacher OF reading and gymnastics in
the high school at Des Moines, Iowa.
With the teachers as a class Miss Kunk!e
gave a lesson in reading, in which pertieu-
lar attention was paid to the pronuncia-
ton of the vowel sounds as found in the
different words, and she urged the teach
ers to use pronunciation exercises ireqent-
ly in all grades as the best method of cor
recting bad habits in this direction.
As Hon. Jos. G. Shattuck, ex-superin-
tendent Of public schools OF Colorado,
who was to present the subject of arilhme-
tic, had not yet arrived. a short recess was
taken, after which the subject of Ian.
Guage was presented by Prof. J. o.
Churchill.
Prof. Churchill confined his talk to the
methods to be used in the first, second
and third years, as first, the naming of
objects, and the use of these names
or words, oral sentences, declarative
and interrogative only, also quot
atoms explained by the teacher and
learned by the pupil; then the
same exercises, written as well as oral,
with the addition of articles, plural nouns
and irregular verbs, the use OF pictures
and objects and the daily correction of
wrong expressions of speech, and for the
third year personal and possessive pro.
nouns, with special attention to the use of
the apostrophe in the latter.
Prof. Churchill was followed by Prof.
Frank II. Collins, superintendent of
drawing in the Denver public schools.
Prof. Collins gave as the definition of
drawing "a study of form, or trying to
find out and reproduce what we see"
The lesson was such as he would give to
beginners, with a vase used as the object
to be drawn, and he endeavored to impress
on the minds of those present that draw
ing is not really so difficult a study as is
generally imagined; that it is not so much
talent or genius as correct seeing and care
tul reproduction hat makes the good
draughtsman, and made his lesson very
practical by forming the teachers into a
class and having them draw, while he
~criticiz ed their work. Prot. Collins has
a pleasant way of presenting his subject,
which makes it interesting and enjoyable
to all.
Mrs. Breckons then invited all the
teachers to the reception to be held at her
home. 7l2 East Eighteenth street, in the
evening, beginning at s o'clock.
The afternoon exercises were opened
by roll call, to which about forty teachers
responded.
After singing by the institute, the sub
iect of music was presented by Prof. j.
Allen, director of music in the Cheyenne
public schools. Position was first dwelt
upon as being of the utmost importance
in learning to sing well. after which Prof.
Allen touched on tone, s%oitness being in
sisted upon, on clearness Of enunciation,
the securing of pure vowels and distinct
consonants, and mentioned three things
to be avoided, namely: indistinct utter
ance, breathy tone, and n~asality. As
time was up the practical application of
the subject was left for the next lesson.
The teachers were now asked to adjourn
to one OF the lower rooms for an exercise
in gymnastics, under the direction of Miss
Kunkel, whose attractive manner and
pleasant face make her exercises whether
of reading or gymnastics, not only inter-
esting and instructive, but delightful as
well.
Returning to the high school room,
Hon. Jos. G. Shattuck was introduced
and talked to the teachers on the subject
of Primary Arithmetic. This talk was
simple, clear, and to the point, giving to
those interested many practical sugges-
tons to aid them in their work, pointing
out the evils to be avoided, and present.
ing methods that may successfully used
in this branch OF teaching.
After a short recess Mr.. Shattuck again
addressed the institute, this time on the
e,h;oot Of ITn;fad Gtatos b;storr E,o,,