The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-01-06
THE TEACHERS INSTITUTE.

At 2:3O p. M, Monday, Dec. 2s, 1891, the
annual Institute of the teachers of Forest
county was called TO order by Supt. G. w.
Kerr. Prof. II. A. Wheeler led in singing,
followed by responsive reading led by Supt.
Kerr. Prayer by Rev. c. @. Rumberger.
T. +. Ritchey delivered an address of well
come TO the teachers which was responded
TO by Miss Kate Guenther. An organiza-
ton was then effected by the election Of the
following officers G.. W. Kerr, ex-oficio
President; 7. e, Armstrong, Vice President;
Secretaries, Blanche Pease, Della Mohn-
kern, Anna Work, Winnie White. Ad-
journed.
In the evening the fourth contest for
the Demorest silver medal, under the aus
pices of the W. O. T. u, took place. The
large CO room was we'll filed and the
audience most attentive. Eight young
every one o. m did we'll. The Judges,
Profs. Lord, ywift and Elliott, awarded
the prize to Miss Anna Keifer, the choice
giving very general satisfaction. The
speaking was interpreted with singing, by a
good choir, and "the male quartette, which
never failed to "bring the house down."
But the feature Of the occasion was the
work of large class Of little folks drilled
by Mr.. and Mrs Ritcbey. The singing,
marching and calisthenic exercises Of these
young folks were we'll nigh perfection aud
the pleasure Of the audience in this part Of
program was manifested in many bursts of
applause given the performers. The decora-
tions of the court room elected many flatter-
ing compliments. and were allowed TO re-
main during the remainder Of the institute.
The session on Tuesday morning was
opened in usual form, after which Supt.
Swift, of Elk county, TALKED on the subject
of Reading. Among his points were We
should have In mind what we wish TO ao-
complish teachers that are adopted to
teaching reading are generally successful
children learn to read and talk by repeated
acts Of association F.; the word and sentence
methods are more in harmony with the
organic mind, but the word method is TO be
preferred the teacher should be prepared
for the work. instruction in music by Prof.
Wheeler. After roll call Supt. Kerr APP
pointed Kate Guenther, Bertha Weikal and
q. NJ. McHaughton a committee or resoiu-
tions. After recess the hour for informal
sessions was fixed from IL to IL q. m, each
day with Prof. Elliott as chairman. Prof.
Lord gave talk on civil government. He
sta ed that there is no subject we know 80
little of as this one. 1t should be taught in
all our public schools, and one of the first
things should be the teaching of the laws
of our own town and State. The subject
can be made very useful If handled in the
right way.
Tuesday afternoon Prof. Swift continued
his talk on reading. He would question the
pupil, and would not use the pointer" at
each word. Questions should be propound-
ed to the class and not to individuals, Or
dinarily. Prof. Wheeler's talk on music
was of more than usual interest. Prof Lord
resumed ''civil government" He gave an
excellent definition of the word government
''the direction Of human right, founded on
human interests" A review OF the town.
ship, county and state officers was had, to-
gether with their duties, salaries and fees.
Prof. Swift for few minutes entertained
the institute with q talk on 'little things."
Attention TO the small details saves much
time and trouble, while neatness insures
better results, always.
Tuesday evening DR.. Jas. Hedley deliver
his lecture, The Sunny Side of Life, TO a
large audience which listened with pro-
foundest interest to the very last. 1t was one
of the most scholarly and highly entertain
ing lectures ever listered to by a Forest
county audience, and the fiowery Doctor
may rest assured Of crowded house upon
his next visit here.
Wednesday morning Prof. Swift resumed
his talk on reading adding many new points
to his already large collection. Prof.
Wheeler's musical instruction was resum-
ed. He would first teach the pupils to
sing by ear, then something about notes. Mr.
McNaughton discussed the subject of work.
Reading should not be studied merely for the
pronunciation of words. The query box
was Optuou anu uu1uerOub Qu0bblOuS du-
swered.
At the afternoon session Prof Lord con-
tinuel his talk on civil government. Prof.
Swift gave talk on Language, which very
prof tably consumed the time till the ad-
journmeut hour was reached.
Wednesday evening well filled house
listened to Col Copeland's lecture, Seeing
the Elephant The colonel is a favorite with
Forest county institutes, and he only increas-
ed his DODularity on this occasion.
Thursday morning Prof Swift resu med
Language" as his theme. At the informal
session Prof. Armstrong gave talk on school
examinations. Examinations for promotion
should be conducted by the school board, or
in its presence. Neatness of papers should
be observed. Mr. Stroup talked entertain
ingly on thoroughness. 1t is not how much
| can weteach, but how we'll we can do II.
Things done by halves are never done right.
"What do you consider the best method OF
| teaching spelling2" was discussed by Col
Copeland, Profs. Thomas, Lord, Hillard,
Rev. Rumberger, and several teachers.
In the afternoon, Prof. Thomas explained
many knot points in difficult sentences in
| Grammar. Prof. Lords talk to the School
Directors, (who were not present by large
majority by-the-way), was very instructive
and entertaining. He gave the approximate
amount of the State appropriation which the
different townships would receive under the
| new act aud showed that in s0me It would
be about twice and in others three times as
much as formerly. He would like to see
houses built Of ample sizs, and provision
made for proper ventilation the walls Of a
dull color 30 as not TO injure theeyes a good
black board and plenty OF it should be pro-
vided and last but not least, adequate sal
ary of teachers. Col. Copeland was enthu.
siastic in his talk on the beautifying of school
| rooms.
In the evening the Colonel delivered one OF
his best lectures, Handsome People" 1t
was not as humorous as the audience had ex-
pected, judging from the subject, but IL more
than made up for this in other respects, and
was received with enthusiasm by the large
crowd assembled.
Friday morning was devoted to summing
up the work Of the preceding sessions, read.
ing Ofminutes, adopting resolutions and say-
| ing farewells. The election of the committee
| on permanent certificates resulted as follows:
| T.. +. Armstrong, Chairman Gertrude
McElhoes Secretary Bertha Wilkinson,
| Mary Ross, Ida Paup. To be frank, caudid
and u the point, the whole institute was a
| success.
MEMBERS OF THE INSTITUTE.
| Following is list of the members o
the Institute. The postoffice address fol
lows each name:
S. NJ. Whitmer, Cooksburgi Gertrude
McElhoes, Tionesta Maud Sowle, Cooper
Tract Matte Redfeld, Tionesta; Laura
Armstrong Stawarts RIM. James NJ