The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-04-26
A TEACHERS MEETING.

Stevenson made a few brief remarks IN
structiug the teachers concerning the
final examination, advising the teachers
to prevent that nervous excitement usual
II accompanying examinations, which OBJ
viates the end sought.
The first upon the program was Mr.. Il.
0. Smith, of the Irving school, who gave
a model lesson in geography, illustrating
the method of Prof. Mccormick, Of the
Normal university, at Normal, Ill The
lesson was very creditable one, showing
great proficiency of Mr.. Smiths class.
Mr.. Allison, member of the school board,
being present, was called upon and made
few timely remarks in regard to work of
the teachers.
Mr. Feigtly, secretary ofthe school board,
being called upon. said that he was in
search of that boy" He stated that the
monthly report showed more girls than
boys in each grade from the primary to the
high school Hence, where is that boy?"
Miss Graham read paper on physical
culture and its relation TO mental develop
ment The subject was very ably present
ed by asking and answering three ques-
tiops:
First-Is physical exercise needed
Second-If so, is it not furnished by the
common activities and necessities of life?
Third-If needed in the schools, how can
it best be taught?
Professor Laughlin, of the Garfield uni
versity, would call attention to the his
torical phase Of the subject and its practi-
cal bearing on the question.
The next paper was presented by Mr..
Diehl, who took as his subject THE De
mand for the Practical in Education"
Mr. Diehl very ably presented the subject
and showed conclusively the fallacy OF the
cry for the practical in education. That
mental discipline is the practical part IN
education.
The subject of Miss Leida Mills paper
was the question of Mixed Schools" The
paper deserved the very close attention
which it received and called forth an in
teresting discussion.
DR.. Stevenson closed the discussion with
some Catholic suggestions to the teachers.
Thus closed the last Of the meetings for
the present school year.
Below will be found the report of the
committee appointed by the board to visit
the schools:
Your committee to whom was assigned
the duty of visiting the public schools of
this city would respectfully report as fol-
lows:
That they have faithfully performed this
dnty by visiting every school room in tho
city, including the High school and City
Normal, giving hafy day to each build
ing of four or more rooms, and IN some In.
stances by visiting some rooms second
and third time, and, while regretting that
=; iva cd &c
that more time could not be given.
We regarded it as our duty to not only
observe the work done in the school room,
but to particularly inspect the buildings,
heating and ventilation of the same, and
the manner in which the janitors perform
ed their duty, etc.
Building and grounds-Generally we
found the buildings in good condition and
we'll kept. At the Park school there are
some walks needed as it is very difficult in
wet weather to keep the children out of
the mud Also walks are needed to con-
meet with the school grounds at the Harry,
Mccormick and Washington schools.
In the matter OF heating and
ventilation we find that re-
teachers to carefully note the temperature
in the school rooms has hac good effect,
but additional caution seems to be neces-
sary for some Of the teachers. We found
rooms where the temperature varied from
60 to IS degrees, and apparently little at
tention paid to ventilation. We believe
our Superintendent should frequently
call the attention of the teacher to this
very important matter. We have visited
the Washington school several times and
have heard much complaint of the heat
ing apparatus in that building arising
from coal gas, inability to heat the rooms,
no ventilation, etc. We presume the
matter will receive the careful attention OF
the board.
find good degree Of improvement in the
matter of writing. An apparent absence
of fancy flourishing and an attempt to
establish a uniform system of plain,
Iegible and common sense style OF pen
manship.
We believe the branch OF music is
pleasing and instructive study as taught
teachers are inclined TO make
it too much of a study. in
stead of both study and recreation as
we believe it should be taught. In
drawing we cannot notice as great
progress as in the other special branches.
As all the grades are having beginners
work, we cannot see the development
that we would expect if the department
had been in our schools for term OF
years We do not wish TO part1cularize,
but some teachers are making much more
rapid progress than others, and show
great excellence in results. We are of the
opinion that a few years trial will prove
this branch of study to be OF great benefit.
General instructions-We are gratified
to report almost universally the teachers
doing good work and generally obtaining
good results. We believe them faithful
and earnest and ever enthusiastic in their
work
We would call the careful attention of
the board and the teachers TO the subject
of reading in our schools. We believe in
many instances there is lack of drill in
this most important branch. of study. 1t
is too often a meaningless repetition or
words and not sufficient effort TO bring
out the sense of the subject In general
teaching there should also be more effort
made to bring out the individuality Of the
pupils In our graded schools there Is
often too much desire for uniformity.
squeezing or padding 10 1T certain mold.
Many times teachers desire Class as near
alike as a company of imperial guards, but
exercising each pupils ability in certain
directions In conclusion, your COM
mittee would express qualification with
the condition Of our schools and we be-
lieve great benefit viii result by a system
attic visitation OF them by the members Of
the board We hope. therefore, that these
committees will continue 10 be appointed
until each member of the board shall visit
and thoroughly inspect every school and
report to the board as TO their condition.
Respectfully submitted,
r. z. LAWRENCE.
A. Il WARD.