Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-06-08
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.


at D. M, Monday, June 3, 1889, with
nraver by Rev. Charles W. Foltz,
after which, Supt. ID. w. Dodd stated
the object of the meeting, and made
some general remarks in reference TO
institute work. Messrs. Siier and
Foltz were appointed as Sec'y ana
assistant Sec'y and teachers enrolled.
Primary reading was the first supJect
discussed. Supt. Dodd made an aDle
discourse, III favor of the Wood meth
cd recommending its adoption by the
teachers. Education was defined.
Mrs. Tabler gave a practical method
of teaching Primary Geography, foi-
lowed by discussion by teachers. AT
p. IN. adjourned.
Tuesday .-Institute called prompt
ly at O'Clock. Prayer by Rev. Ed
wards, Roll called; Messrs. James
Evans and G. G. Tabler appointed
as press reporters to county papers.
Committed on Resolutions: Messrs.
VIM. Grim, NJ. G. Albright and Hen
nv Chilson. First subject discussed
was Primary Arithmetic. Mr.. Daniel
Brown introduced the subject and fol-
! foled by others. After recess United
| States History was the first topic, by
| Mr.. Clarence Rinker. He threw out
some hints which oceasioned lengthy
discussion. The topical method and
by diagramming vas thought to be
the best method of teaching History.
Adjourned at IL for dinner. The
afternoon session was begun by sing
ing "Bringing in the Sheaves," Mr..
W. r. Edwards at the organ. Lam
guage Lessons by Mr.. j. w. b. Evans
was then discussed; this subject fol-
lowed by Advanced Geography on
which Mr.. G. w. Foltz gave his meth
cd. School Organization was the
next subject. Supt. Dodd made a
very able address and offered valuable
suggestions. AT p. m. adjourned
for the day.
Thursday.-The institute was OPEN
ed this morning by "The Call for
Reapers," Miss Jennie Shaffer at the
organ. Prayer by Rev. Thomas.
First Subject, Acknowledgements
nate numbers, by Mr.. ]. Frank Tur-
ner. Many important features were
brought out. Reading followed the
above subject. Mr.. w. r. Edwards
introduced this subject dwelling espe-
cially on the advantages of both silent
and oral reading, on drill, with refer
ence to breathing, articulation, pro-
nunciation, pitch. rate, &C., with
special force in regard to teaching
the child to help himself. Supt. Dodd
| followed with q discourse on proper
use of dictionary and other reference
books. He brought the use of the
phonic method forcibly before the in
stitute, showing that there is no other
A n, 1,., HI ffN .fGt
himself in the pronunciation of words
and saving his own and the teachers
time in the study of the reading les
son. Rev. E. Holmes Lamar also
spoke, touching on the wrong use of
the dictionary, showing where absurd
tiles might arise from filling the mind
with abstract ideas without the pro-
per assistance to help him understand
them being given. These speakers
were followed by many others. Miss
Adah Dodd suggested that we have
the pupil read passages backward to
enable them to pronounce the words
at sight. The session after recess was
begun by singing ''Rescue the perish
ing" Rev. Z. Holmes Lamar at the
organ. Physiology was the subject of
discussion, the subject was ably ham
died by Miss Adah Dodd, who pre-
scented her method of teaching this
branch. The next subject, Science of
Teaching, was introduced by Supt.
DOdd, under the following heads:
The qualifications of the teacher
mental, moral and physical. The
teachers habits in respect to dress;
personal cleanliness; personal adorn-
ment and manners. The morals and
manners of the children cannot re-
ceive too much consideration and
parents and teachers should both be
united and assist each other in this re-
spect to attain best results. Language
Lesson was continued from yester-
days session as presented in the pro-
gramme of the institute work. Writ
ten language, when to begin and how
to teach copying, object lessons, pic
lures, dictation, stories, letter writ
ing, business forms, and composition.
Particular attention was given to the
proper forms of writing letters, in
reference to the date, complimentary
address, body of letter, compliment
tary closing, punctuation, &c. Adj
ljournment until 1870 p. IN. The after
noon session called at 1880 p. M, OPEN
ed by music. Prof. U. S. Fleming
the appointed instructor was introdu-
ced to the teachers and made very
pleasant Introductory address. The
teachers then engaged in singing some
good old school songs. First subject
taken up by Prof. Fleming was His
tory. He said that history and geo.
graphy should be taught together, one
study depends on the other and can
not be separated. Begin at home
with the history of our neighborhood
branching out TO District, County and
State. He submitted an outline to
bring out the local history of a section
by which he explained his method of
study. Below, for the benefit of
teachers who could not be present,
we present the outline. Martinsburg.
When founded? BY Whom? In
what State? What county? In what
school district? Name its water
courses. Its elevations of land. ORR
ginal settlers. Where from? Streets,
public buildings, railroads, canals,
business houses, noted men living or
dead. Events in its existence, manu-
facturers, schools and churches. This
is live history and will set the child
rem to thinking land teachers, tool.
~ tOuNh hiot0iJ ICuulTtS
daily preparation on part of the teach
er, thus enabling our pupils to drink
from a flowing stream rather than
from stagnant pool. Alers' History
of Berkeley Co. was recommended for |
the perusal of the teachers, by Supt. |
Dodd, in relation to our county his |
tory. After a short recess, Supple |
mentary Reading was brought up for |
the consideration of the teachers I'M
der the following heads Importance
of supplementary reading; the place |
it should occupy, methods of teach |
ing, what itshould be. Recommends |
Treasure Troye, Harper's Young Peo-
pie, Youths Companion, Wide |
Awake, &C., as proper periodicals for
the young people. Keep the five and
ten cent novels that contain blood
curdling accounts of fiction as far
from them as the sun is from the
earth. Oh! parents don't know the |
harm these books are doing or they
WOuld never LOT Thorn anfor fbo hanis /