Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-07-09
THE iNSTiTUr
Progress of the County Normal
School.
sketches of the Work Being Accom-
plished by Supt. Marshafl's
Corps state supt. Raab's
Lectures.

Yesterday was the best attended day so
far. The weather mas no difficulty in
suiting the school ma'am's who usually
are quite particular in that respect. 1t is
little strange. however, that the teachers
are not more punctuai at the music
classes in the morning and afternoon.
Either they don't care whether they are
on time or not or else the lessons in
music are not appreciated as they should
| be.
Prof. DeGarmo in his morning lecture
used observation as his subject. The
| spider, the ant and the bee are the models
which are followed by teachers. The
bee was decided to be the best example
| for emulation. Observation should not
be entirely training of the senses. The
mind itself should be made the base of
operations. Words alone are the most
abstract of symbols; the child needs assis-
lance to interpret them. This can be
done in no way so well as by observation.
To the child the word "cat" means only
and individual name of several objects.
To the student of natural history it stands
for mass of knowledge, it represents
information Of the whole cat family Spe-
cial emphasis was placed upon the evils
of an indiscriminate helping of the pupil
| by his usually too willing teacher. lis
much better TO leave him to his own re-
sources, with perhaps Sight aid in the
shape of few judiclous questions.
In arithmetic Prof. Bishop talked of
the different methods of addition and d.
vision. Short division is. generally
taught to the pupil before long division
There are good arguments against this
custom.
Prof. Bishops physics class discussed
machines. In his opinion there are only
two simple machines, the lever and in
clned plane. Perpetual motion will not
be successfully accomplished till friction
is destroyed.
10 the afternoon there was q pleasant
exercise by Mrs. Runcie. teacher of elo
cution from Princeton, Ind. Her subject
was Expression in Reading" all read
ing should be done as an art. The artic,
ulstion of the words, the look of the face
and the tone Of the voice are the three
elements to be observed in good delivery
At 2:l5 State Superintendent Rssb read
paper before the institute on The Pri-
mary Teacher and the Primary School. .
Among other things the reader noted the
prevailing desire among many primary
| teachers TO leave that branch of the work
for something higher and more advanced.
No teacher needs more love o. his calling
than the primary teacher. To watch the
development of the growing child. to
note every advance made on the field of
progress is most interesting. Teachers
in country districts often slight the chill
dren for the grown up boys and girls.
The six year old needs a good founds
ton for his future education. The most
rapid progress and best results charac-
terize the first two years work. No
teacher should appear before his class
without thorough preparation. A teach
er's first impression on little folks is gen.
orally lasting one. A primary teacher
should always be cheerful. He should
cultivate patience, be not abrupt and
harsh. His love Is the sunshine which
make the little ones unfold. A judicious
teacher will look carefully after the
hygiepic influence which surround his pu-
pills. Be thoughtful OF your commands;
never countermaud az order; never break
your promise TO the children, they are
the keenest Judges of teachers strength
or weakness. A teachers warm heart
and knowledge of human nature will best
dictate 10 him the best way to OBJ
tain control and sway over his valuable
charges.
Emma Stratford's drawing work yes
terday afternoon attracted an overflow
Jag room. Many teachers deserted their
regular sections to spend all their time
giving close attention TO Miss Stratfor6's
attractive exercises.
At o'clock tonight a Shakespearian
meeting will be held with Mr.. DeGarmo,
Prof. Bishop. Miss Entrikin and Mrs.
Eastman in leading characters The pub
lie is invited.
The following names have been en-
rolled at the institute since Tuesday noon.
There are 170 teachers in attendance now,
and they are still coming in:
" u Smith Luu Lambert
Clara Cozad Carrie Naylor
Eva Naylor Sadie Johnston
Oletha Muse Katie Allen
Hattie Mcneil Gussie Mcneil
Carrie Libby Lizzie Gilbert
Florence Sanderson Grace Moore
Anna Matthews SW Mumey
In