The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-18
CITY TEACHERS INSTITUTE.

The regular monthly meeting OF the
city teachers was held yesterday at the
high school from 8 a. m, to II IN Miss
Jessie Clark had charge Of the music
with which the exercises were interspers-
ed. Miss Stever presided at the piano in
her usual acceptable manner. The pro-
gram consisted of variety of short
DaDers on various topics. These papers
treated not only OF strictly professional
topics but Of literary and other matters OF
general interest.
The object Of these meetings is not
merely u comparison OF views concerning
the immediate work of the schools, but 1t
includes also the consideration of all sub
jects calculated to promote popular intel
ligence aud general culture. Miss Josie
MiIlen of the Webster school paid CRATE
full tribute to the memory of him whose
decease all lovers of our noble English
language vet mourn-Alfred Tennyson.
Miss Millen's paper gave unmlstakable
evidence or close acquaintance with the
best productions which England's recent
laureate has furnished for the enrichment
Of our literature.
1.-The forces which influence in the pri-
mary grades" WAS the subject of an in
structive paper by Mrs. c. l. StanglaEd
of the Washington school Miss Nellie
Amidon presented some very sensible
methods of teaching the difficult hut i'm
portant subject of geology. She gave
very humorous account of errors which
improperly taught pupils will make in
| their effort to determine in what part OF
the United States Spain is located, or to
| r@f hn iV,r,i9.
''tribulations" (tributaries).
The important part of history and
/ the value of the study of our
own countIy's history in promoting
patriotic citizenship were presented in q
paper by Miss Dickinson. principal of the
| Carleton school. it is needless to say that
Miss Dickinson's established reputation as
an instructor gave her suggestions very
| great weight with her co-workers.
| MIR. McMichael, principal of the Frank
| lin school, dealt with the subject of arith-
metic and referred TO the criticisms fire.
quently made on the alleged poor results
attained. The blame for the failure of
some pupils surely can not attach to that
teacher, most of whose pupils do succeed.
Pupils should be trained 80
perform with facility and accu-
racy the various simple opera
lions of numbers, and to make an intel
ligent use of their knowledge in the solu-
ton Of complex problems.
The power TO master the principles OF
arithmetic and to furnish clear aud logical
analyses Of process, is power that does
not belong to al pupils at the same age.
To make clear explanations of their work,
thereby to show their understanding OF
principles, should be required OF every
pupil in proportion to his ability.
The foregoing topics We're discussed al
considerable length by Misses Flower,
/ Shuitz and Smith, and Messrs. Shun and
Vowel.
Or. Richardson laid great stress on tht
importance of thorough work, intelligent
work and neat work Nothing should be
accepted from pupil that is not the re-
suit Of his best effort. His writing should
conform to correct principles, He refer
red 70 the great Importance of the pupil.
position ct desk, aud asked that all dill
gence be used BY teachers in securing easy
natural and withal correct position. He
spoke in criticism aud commendatiou Of
the work As he had Witnessed it in hi:
visits TO the various schools
. Mr.. James Allison of the school board
responded 20 an invitation to address the
teachers His remarks were plain, sensi
ble and business like. He asked OF the
teachers their best efforts in promoting
the efficiency Of the schools assuring them
that no faithful work could be without
effect nor fail Of due appreciation.
= At the conclusion OF the general exer.
cises the institute divided into grades IL
Tsicn some special work was doue.