Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-03-16
THE TEACHERS.
The Tarrant County Association Has sn Inter
esting Meeting.

The Tarrant County Association Has sn Inter
esting Meeting.
The Tarrant county teachers associa-
ton met Yesterday morning at the usual
place, with fine attendance, the fullest
yet had, and the results of the meeting
are conceded to have be en- beneficial.
The convention was opened with song
by Mrs. Evans pupils.
Mrs. Evans read very interesting es-
say on singing in the public schools. She
believes singing should be taught to the
pupils of all grades. The pupils love it
aud delight in the study, which is a great
means of development.
MIR. E. P. Williams gave his method of
teaching plane geometry. He sketched
the history of mathematics. He believes
that methods should be Investigated, but
not all copied. His plan was to learn all
definitions, simplifying each, drawing
diagrams and, in all cases, giving full
written explanation on the blackboard.
Mr.. W. E. Williams addressed the
convention on "Scienre in the Lower
Grades He divided his subject II the
Physiology. 90 Botany. a. Geology.
cause it cultivates perception, observa-
ton, language, reading and drawing.
He believes too little time is given to the
subject. Mr.. Williams exhibited some
interesting drawings, illustrating the
work in the subject of science.
Col. A. j Chambers spoke on the de-
velopmeut of public schools in Texas.
He gave a description of the rude log
srhoolhouses of years ago-logs for seats
and split logs for desks; teachers to
match.
Red Top school was given 60, 600 acres
of land. but all Is gone to-day. Mr..
Chambers was teacher in the common
school. In those days all that was neces-
saTy to educate was to use the hickory.
He gave many amusing instances illus
trating the difficulties that were encoun-
tered in founding the present system OF
public schools.
Professor J. W. Graham delivered an
address on why should a teacher study
psychology? The first reason is because
TO study psychology is to "kuow thy
self We must turn the student in
upon himself. The teacher must be able
TO do this, if he succeeds in teaching.
In choosing a textbook choose the
best, but in all cases study the same on
study the text only, but by observation
OF mental phenomena in the school room
aud out.
Psychology will enable the teacher to
classify the pupils according to the men
tai development of the child. All
powers of the mind must be developed in
uniformity.
Professor Dale read "The Death of
Little Nell, - which was we'll received.
Rev. ]. DeForest spoke of school
houses, ancient and modern; said the
ancient schoOlhouse was q poor and
modest affair, and did not figure so
largely as the parthenOns and pantheons
and sphinYs. No ruins of schOolhOuse
architecture are to be seen ia old lands,
but, though simple, it undoubtedly did
have an existence. The forms of archi-
lecture most common in Middle Ag-s
were churches and palaces, one speaking
of religion, the other of kings, but the
value of child life IN the long past was
never great, therefore no great school
building. We study Egypt in the piles
OF granite along the Nile, but IN college
and schoolhouses OF our day flashes forth
our peculiar glory. Schoolhouses of all
ages could do no more than catch ths
passing wisdom OF each successive
age. The best light falls there upon the
face of the young and no quality of an
age should fall there more quickly than
the moral quality. The value of educa-
ton depends upon how it is to be used.
Better have one language and speak
true and pure things than be able to
speak profane or lying words in all the
dialects OF Europe. The differences be-
tween relIgionists excludes direct teach
ing by the state of religious doctrines,
but in the plain of morals all may meet.
The Fright, - based upon the being and
law of God, should be one of the first
studies.
Professor Hogg was introduced and
gave important announcements in regard
to the State teachers convention, which !
meets in Galveston in June.
After some remarks and announce |
ments by Superintendent White, one of
the most instructive and entertaining
yet held by thu Tarrant /!
county teachers was adjourned.
Dick,