Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-08-04
Iaachers. InstItute.

The Teachers Institute of Jeher-
ann county. w. Va, began its regu-
1ar. annual session in the Court House
IN Charlestown on Monday, July ".
1891. The Institute was called to
order by our Superintendent Mr..
George H. Ramsburg, and opened
with prayer by our distinguished In
Istructor, Prof. Wade, from Morgan
town University, who also gave us q
very interesting address upon school
work. In the Afternoon we had the
pleasure of having introduced to us
Major Lee, Superintendent Of Free
Schools of Huntington, who gave us
a very instructive talk on Geography,
and the teachers listened with un-
sual interest to the forcible manner
in which the Major presented the
topic. 1t was plainly evidenced that
he was familiar with the various hind
RANGES that must be overcome before
the teachers can with all their earnest
efforts acquire the desired success in
teaching in this branch.
TUESDAY.
The Institute was opened with a
well rendered prayer by Rev. Miles
S. Read. Then the subject Of Pri-
mary Arithmetic was WellNpresented
by Mr.. J. N. Smoot. The subject of
Advanced Geography was very ably
handled by Mr.. George Hill, from
Harper's Ferry. During the day our
worthy Instructor, Prof. A. Z. Wade,
gave us interesting and instructive
talks upon different branches taught
in the public schools.
WEDNESDAY.
Institute was opened by singing,
and Rev. G. n. Cambell led in prayer.
Through the kindness of Mrs. Cock
rell, an infant class of boys and girls
who had never been to school and
who did not know their letters we're
presented to Prof. Wade, that he
might show the teachers how he taught
the children to read by the word
method, and in few minutes he had
the little ones able to read short sem
fences and point out any word in them.
We would Judge from the manner
in which he conducted the class, and
from the attention which the little
ones gave him, that it was not by any
means his first attempt at such work.
Prof. Crago, of Wheeling, w. Va,
who was our distinguished Instructor
last year, came forward and gave US
very able talk upon School Organi-
cation, and we can safely say that
there was not teacher in the build
ing who did not give him hearty
welcome in their hearts if not with
their voices, and were glad to greet
him in our midst. He also exhibited
Nickerson's School Chart and gave
information as to the method of using
it, which will be of great benefit to
the teachers, for he has sold the chart
to a number of different school
boards in the county, and they will
be placed ia the schools for the use
of the teacher and the improvement
in the way of teaching little children,
An excellent recitation, entitled ga
Farmers Dayin Court, twas rendered
by him in a most pleasing manner,
and was enjoyed by all who heard it,
Mr.. Cruger Smith, formerly of
Clarksburg, kindly consented and
gave profitable talk upon the sub
ject of Birds" describing the diff
ferent kinds, class habits and customs
of the bird family. The hearts of the
teachers were again made glad when
Prof. Miller, from Fairmont, our In
structor in 1888, was welcomed in our
midst and assumed his place of In
structor, place to which he is SO
we'll adapted that few surpass him in
acceptabiIity or good results.
THURSDAY.
Institute opened with prayer by
Rev. Miles S. Reed. During the day
the different Instructors gave inter-
esting and instructive talks upon the
varied branches taught in the public
schools. The subject of Psychology
was well handled by Prof. Miller, as
was also Civil Government.
FRIDAY.
Institute called to order by Supt.
Ramsburg, with prayer by Prof.
Wade. The first business in order
was the organization of Teachers
Association, with the following Off
GERS, viz: Pres, Supt. Ramsburg
Vice-Pres., James Grantham; Sec,
o. NJ. Harris. 1t was further agreed
that the first meeting will be held at
the stone school-house, Charles Town,
on the first Saturday in October, at
9 A. n. The object of this associa-
ton is to secure by conference the
best methods of teaching. Prof. Mil
Ter continued his talk on Civil Gov
| eminent, confining himself particu-
Iarly to the governmental the schools
and State. Prof. Wade discussed
Colors very ably, and showed the
result of mixing the primary coIors.
Prof. Crago again gratitied the Insti-
tute by rendering in his excellent
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