The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-31
INSTITUTE NOTES.

There was large attendance at the in
stitute yesterday, the enrolment having
reached lao. All recitatiOns are marked
with great earnestness and zeal The sub
| ject discussed in the history class was the
settlement of the colonies. Valuable sug-
gestions were offered in regard TO teaching
the subject
The physiology class studied the com
position and forms of the bones and the
structure of joints The instruction in
this was very thorough, being principally
| academic.
Opinions We're exchanged on the best
methods Of teaching geography to begin
| ners. The opinion prevailed that local
geography should be taught first, begin
ming with the known. 1t was admitted,
however, that the mind begins to reach
out toward the unknown at a much ear
lier age than is generally supposed, The
child's imagination is very vivid, especial
ly concerning such subjects as geography.
The recitation in psychology was
particularly interesting, the theme for
discussion being the relation between
consciousness and judgment. The latter
was defined as an act of the mind pro-
duced by consciousness. A nice distinc-
ton was made between natural and refiec-
tive consciousness. The subject was
discussed at some length, also the age at
which those powers are developed.
In school organization and management
the principal points brought out were the
qualifications which go to make up per-
feet fitness for teaching. The natural
qualifications named were sound body, a
suasive power, true and abiding friend
ship, and genuine love for the work. The
most important qualifications which may
be acquired are thorough knowledge of
the branches to be taught and the best
methods of teaching. As a means of OBJ
tanning these qualifications a strong plea
was made for attendance at normal schools
and study of textbooks and journals de-
voted to the subject of teaching. The in
structor also urged upon the attention of
the class the Teachers Reading Circle
now organized in the state
The constitution class inquired into the
rights and restrictions of minors and de-
pendents; also discussed the school dis
trict, township, county, state and nation
as distinct political organizations, with
their respective rights and powers.
The class in grammar recognized a gen
eral dislike for this subject on the part of
pupils and endeavored to ascertain the
cause. Some of the reasons given are as
follows: Pupils are asked to study gram
mar before they are able 30 comprehend a
subject so abstract; teachers, very often,
are not able to make it attractive; pupils
often see people who are successful with
out knowledge of grammar and not un-
naturally conclude that it is not essential;
parents who are ignorant of the subject
are often prejudiced against it and trans
nit their prejudice to the children. 1t is
generally believed that technical grammar
is taught too early in the school course.
1t is fact worthy of note that the in
struction in the institute this year is dis
tinctively normal rather than academic in
its character.
Prof. Charles was unavoidabiy absent
and was greatly missed. His classes were
taken in charge by Mr. Meyer, of the
Franklin school, who conducted the reci-
tations in very creditable manner, quite
like an old hand at the business.
Several visitors were observed, and all
seemed favorably impressed with the
character of the work done.
But it does seem that it is almost time
to have a social OF picnic