St. Paul daily globe., 1889-01-13
TOPICS FOR TEACHERS.
Written Examinations for Promotions
Given Black Eye.
CLEVER WORK IN COLORS.
Primary Reading and the System Of
Teaching Music in District Schools
Fittingly Illustrated.

More than usual interest was mani
tested at the meeting of the st. Paul
teachers held in the High school hall
yesterday morning. Miss Blodgett
opened the exercises with a beautiful
solo, after which Prof. G. III. Congdon
presented class of pupils of the second
grade from the Jefferson school to il
lustrate his method of teaching
music in district schools. The exercise
thoroughly convinced even the most
Skeptical that the reason children have
not become more proficient in this
branch is that the methods of inStruc-
ton are faulty. Mr.. COngdon very con-
clusively showed that very young chill
dren can easily be taught to think tones,
observe time and rhythm and become
independent singers.
Primary reading has been as stubborn
a question to deal with as any in the
list of common school studies. Miss
Brooks, primary principal of the Van
Buren, school for several years, indenti-
fed with primary work in the st. Paul
schools, both
IN THE SCHOOL ROOM
and in the presentation of papers before
the primary teachers of this city. She
set forth, in clear and forcible man.
ner, the true underlying principles
which govern the teaching of reading
to very young children. BY argument
the conviction that the subject of
reading was fraught with too much re-
sponsibility in its influence upon all
future studies, to be ignOrantly taught,
especially since the underlying princi-
pies may so easily be set forth by the
teacher and comprehended by the
pupil.
An address by Miss Laughlin was
very much abridged, but what it lacked
in length it made up in interest to the
teachers and and patrons of the schools.
She referred in very entertaining way
to the Chicago convention of teachers
who were Interested in the subject of
instruction in the common schools
in the West. An exhibit of the
schools of Columbus, o., was arranged
upon one hand, in which the work of
the High school of that city was evinced
by artistic and architectural drawings
and color work. On the other hand
was the beginning of color work in the
st. Paul schools. Although this color
work was done voluntarily by the
pupils and teachers, yet it was
Priu. Farnsworth, in few we'll
chosen remarks. presented the follow
ing preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, The subject of written examina-
tions for promotion in the public schools of
the country has attracted much attention
from those interested in the matter or educa-
uon both in regard to their advisability and
necessity; and
Whereas, During the last term of the last
school year, that subject was largely dis
cussed by the principals of the schools of this
city in their monthly meetings; and
III his last annual report, fully discussed the
subject of examinations, and recommended
that some change be made in the method of
class promotion, in the intermediate and
grammar grades of the. district schools; and
Whereas, A change has been authorized by
the board of education so far as the High
school Is concerned; therefore, be it
Resolved. That we, the, principals and
teachers in the public schools OF this city, ask
that the superintendent of schools request
the board of education, through the COM
mittee on schools, to establish some other
system for promotion. which shall take the
place OF the method now i'll use.
A division arose among the teachers
in relation to these resolutions. not be-
cause they were not in favor OF change
in the manner of holding examinations,
but because they had not formulated
substitute. The matter was brought
up so suddenly that the conserva-
tive ones were afraid to let
go their et-anchor--written exam
inations. After the display of few
parliamentary pyrotechnics the resolu-
tions were passed. The next step will
be consideration of them by the prin-
cipals Tuesday afternoon. If they run
this gauntlet successfully, the superin-
tendent will submit a new scheme to
the committee on school, who will con-
slider it, and, if they deem it a wise
measure, it will fight its last battle be-
fore the full board of education.