The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-25
In AND ABOUT THE CITY
SCHOOL TEACHERS TAUGHT.
A Lively Discussion in superintendent
Bakers Normal Glass.

A Lively Discussion in Superintendent
Bakers Normal Glass.
Supt W. h Bakers normal class" met at
the Chatham Academy yesterday afternoon.
The normal class is composed Of all the
teachers in the public schools Of Savannah,
who meet the superintendent at the acade-
my every Friday afternoon to discuss
school work, the best plans and methods to
pursue in the course Of instruction. and to
listen to the superintendent's criticisms
upon what he has observed in the schools
during the week
There were about fifty teachers present
yesterday afternoon. The class is usually
large one and Mr.. Baker enjoys teaching it.
His scholars have to listen TO some pretty
hard hits occasionally, too. A paper isread
at every meeting, usually by principal OF
one of the schools, upon some subject Of in
terest to the teachers, and the subject and
| ideas advanc ed are discussed by the teach
srs and criticised by the superintendent.
Vice Principal Carson of Chatham
Academy read paper yesterday afternoon
upon "The Use OF Good English in the
Schools, Its Importance and How to Secure
It," Mr. Carson handled this important
subject in a very interesting manner, show
ing that he had made study of the sub
ject, and was himself deeply impres ed with
the Importance of securing the use of better
English by the school children in their daily
intercourse
Mr.. Carson started out py saying that
the prime necessity is the use of good En-
glish by the teacher. He began with a
number Of examples of English las she is
spoke" by the children ia the public schools
and frequently by their parents at home
The associations Of children, and the fact
that the majority Of them are accus-
toned to the use Of bad
grammar by those around them
from babyhood to manhood and woman
hood, is the chief cause, Mr.. Carson said, of
the common misuse of the English language.
he dwelt upon the Importance of the child's
learning the use Of good language while the
opportunity is presented. He said: 1--WE
instinctively size up person by his use Of
| current expressions and the language he
employs, and 1t is Of tho utmost importance
to child to learn the proper use of
language that is destined to give him char
acter In years to come"
Mr.. Carson made number of suggestions
to the teachers for instilling the knowledge
and use of good English into the minds of
| the children. The most effective remedy,
he said is for the teacher to create senti-
| ment in the class against the use Of bad
grammar by various means
Mr.. Carson's paper was discussed by sew
eral OF the teachers, and several suggestions
were drawn as to the best means of i'm
pressing the importance of the use of god
| language upon the children.
The class had a very lively and most inter-
esting discussion the Friday after
noon preceding, brought about by the
reading Of paper by Mr.. Cannon of
the high school upon the subject Of
moral Suasion," aud the means of enforc-
ing discipline without corporal punish
ment. The paper was highly praised as
one of the best expositions of the subject
ever brought to the attention of the men,
bers of the class. Corporal punishment,
however, found staunch advocate in the
person of Mr. OHara of st. Patrick's school,
who brought strong argument to bear
showing that corporal punishment or the
fear Of 1t, is still necessary means OF dis
cipllne In tho public schools. A great many
OF the teachers are Of the opinion that moral
suasion is very good theory, but corporal
punishment is better practice. The normal
class is a source Of interest as well us benefit
to the teachers of the public schools. and is
appreciated accordingly.