Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-08-16
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.

the IN MartlnSDurg, Aug A. al ~ Am Al
ter general greeting among the teachers, the Institute
was called to order by Superintendent d. III. Dodd and
the hymn g To the Work." sung. Prayer was then
offered by the Rev. Woods. Supt. Dodd made a few
brief remarks, in which he strongly urged the teachers
to take active part in the proceedings of the Institute
thus making 1t both interesting and instructive.
Prof. F. III. Crago, of Wheeling, w. Va, was then
introduced, and in few well chosen words stated the
object of Teachers Institute The advantages derived
~ discussion of methods of teaching ~ the
cultivation of social feeling among the tea"hers and
3 the creation of interest in education among the peo
pie. After the appointment of Secretaries, enrolment
in order at the completion of which the Supernten
dent spoke of the necessity of teachers attending the In
sute if they wish to do effective work. and assuring
them that if they expect better remuneration fer their
services, they must prove themselves deserving of the
same.
School Organization then taken up and discussed
by Prof Crago He cautioned young teachers that If
they failed in governing they failed in teaching Spoke
the necessity of programme for the first day. and
couraged the giving of the pupils something to do.
Opening exercises for the day he considered Of vast i'm
portance but strongly opposed sectaranism in the pub
lie schools. The repeating of the Lords Prayer he
thought suitable. Various modes of grading and
classifying schools given general discussion fol-
lowed, questions asked and answered Institute
adjourned to meet at 1880 p.
Afternoon Session..-Insttute opened with singing
after which the roll called. The subject psychology
appearing next on the program Instructor Cago took it
up and handled it in nasterlv manner An nnhar
standing of this subject he considered necessary for the
successful teachers. A model object lesso1 given
Primary reading the next subject under consdera
ton, and five methods given viz, Aphabetic, Phonic
Word, Sentence, and Union or Combination. Not how
much but how well, should be the motto. Discussions
and questions followed. The Combination Method was
Universally endorsed Recess at 3:15 D. m After recess
the subject of primary geography opened up by Mr.
| of He n eXt
necessary. Teach directions first, then the cardinal
points OF the compass when home geography might be
taken up The discourse civil government by the
Instructor, very interesting The poem, The Blue
and the Gray" recited by Prof Crago and greatly
applauded by all who heard it, The Institute then adj
journed to meet the next day at a. m.
Second Day, Tuesday.-The Institute opened
with singing and prayer offered by Rev. Duffy. The
roll then called and Committee CD Resolutions APP
pointed, after which primary arithmetic taken up
by Prof Crago who believed that the first idea of num-
bers should be taught from Objects and drill he insisted
upon. Individuality of the pupil should be drawn out
and encouraged. Addition should be dwe upon until
accuracy and rapidity attained. Devices to teach
rapid addition and subtraction presented and explained
Oral language lessons taken up and some plain
facts stated. This subject the instructor considered
great importance Few persons knew how to converse
integently he thought. Recess for fifteen minutes
taken.
The exercises were again opened by song, at the
close OF which advanced geography in order. Pot-
ical geography discussed at length but the
most time consumed mathematical geography.
Many new and important things told in inter-
estng manner. The opinion of all is that apparatus is
sadly needed in the country schools Globes, charts,
MAPS etc., should be provided for every school.
Adjournment
Afternoon.-After the usual opening exercises Mr.
D. Mason Brown opened the subject of United States
History by giving his methods of teaching this interest
ing branch of learning. His chart method of teaching
political history highly commended by the institute.
Discussion followed Recess.
civil government was discussed by Prof Crago and
quite number questions asked and answered the
This of the most interesting exercises
the day. and greatly appreciated by ALL The query
box was opened and the question read and answered.
Geographical cards exhibited and model lesson given
on the same A beautiful poem was then reced by
Prof Crago to the teachers great delight. The Insi
tute adjourned.
the Rev. VIM. Hedges, after which the roll was called
and absentees duly noted Primary arithmetic was then
taken up and the different methods of teaching addition
and subtraction presented. Advanced reading followed
and some very useful hints given in teaching the same
Position, manner of holding the book ETC., shown.
exercise in reading given Recess taken for fifteen
minutes.
After singing the query box examined, and
questions answered, Written language lessons and
grammar generally discussed by Mr.. Moses G. AL
bright He took the ground that the different mode and
tense found should not be taught at first but should be
deferred until knowledge of the other part grammar
had been acquired excepting the present and past
He claimed they very hard for the child to learn
and gave him aid in the of language The
Institute adjourned till 1870 p
Afternoon-Institute opened as usual. A problem
was then solved and explained by Mr.. G. w. NJ Taber
Written language lessons continued by Prof Crago
School government opened by Mr. w. A. Smith,
who was followed by Mr.. M. G. Albright and Others
The following maxims given by Prof Crago. If
you fail to govern You fail teach He who governs
will teach He who spends the least time in governing
governs best Will Jarletons poem 1.-THE Schoolmaster,s
Visitors" reced by Prof Crago and was greatly
enjoyed by everybody. Recess.
After singing, combination chart was explained by
the Instructor. Query box opened and questions
answered Institute adjourned to meet at 8 a. M the
next day.
Thursday.-The Institute was opened with singing
and prayer offered by Rev. f. z. Robertson The
subject of arithmetic then opened by Prof. Crago
His remarks were chiefly confined to common fractions
Different methods Of teaching division of fractions were
given. This was quite interesting and number OF
questions were asked. The query box consulted
were solved and explained by Messrs L. Siler and S. J.
Williamson Recess for 10 minutes taken.
After song by the Institute, the subject of penman-
ship was opened by Mr.. G. p. Rinker. He believed
that movement was the chief thing to be studied and
practiced. Quite number of combinations were placed
on the board Prof Crago took up the subject of ee-
mentary sounds. All the elementary sounds of the En-
glish language were shown by the dacritical marks
placed over the letters. The poem, "Over the Hill TO
the Poor House, was reced by Prof Crago in yery
ehecting manner The Institute then adjourned for
noon.
Afternoon.-After the Institute was opened as usual
and the roll called physiology discussed by the In
structor Before entering upon discussion however
he read paper issued by the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union quoting the law bearing upon this sub.
Ject BY the law the teacher is required to teach it to
each and every scholar in the school, and to give it as
much time and attention any other branch of study
In the of his remarks, he stated that Supern
tendent appointed by the aforesaid Union will be in
each and every county in the State to see that the law
enforced This Superintendent will visit the schools