The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-03
TEACHERS AT SCHOOL
Second Day Of County Normal
Institute.
GOOD WORK OF THE CLASSES.
Drilled I'm the Science Of Pedseory-A
Picnic for Tomorrow-Trip to
Chautauqua Friday.

The second day of the teachers insti-
tufe was called to order yesterday morn.
ing by Superintendent Pusey, who gave
notice OF the excursion to Snoqualmie
falis to be given the teachers on Thurs
DAY, and also requested them TO attend
the Chautauqua grounds on Friday. Pro-
lessor Whiting then resumed the work in
music. He stated that he believed in
teaching music by rote to small children
and IN ungraded schools. He illustrated
MS method by teaching the teachers sew
eral songs by rote. The remainder of the
exercise consisted of a drill upon the scale
and upon note singing.
Professor Jones. who conducts one of
the classes in arithmetic, stated at the
outset that he did not expect all to agree
with him in his views of teaching. Every
good teacher should preserve his own in
oiylduaiity. basing his methods upon the
broad fundamental principles which lie at
the foundation of successful teaching. He
then presented his ideas upon teaching
the principles of arithmetic. He did not
believe In attempting to do too much with
the reasoning faculty at first. The begin
ming of arithmetic is altogether a matter
of memory.
Professor Pagan. who has charge of the
other class in arithmetic, after few pre-
hmSnary remarks. began the regular work
oy taking up the subjects of fractions and
denominate numbers. He gave a very
lucid explanation of his method of pre-
senting these subjects, and spent the rest
OF his time in giving the teachers spirited
class drill.
Professor Twitmyer, who has the classes
n ohro nd
in the former in algebraic expressions and
definitions and in finding algebraic pro-
ducts by inspection and by means of the
binomial theorem. The work in natural
philosophy consisted of a class drill upon
the principles of the science. The proper
ties of matter were discussed in detail.
The classes in grammar were in charge
of Professor Meredith and Professor
Pagan. The latter devoted his attention
to case. and presented his views conciseiy
but completely. A portion of the time
was spent in giving the teachers a thor
ough quizzing. Professor Meredith dis
cussed the sentence, giving first COM
plete outline of the entire subject. and
then taking it up in detail and discussing
every feature thoroughly.
In the history class Professor Heston
divided the subject of United States his
tory into three periods, viz: The colonial
period, from the first settlement to 1868;
the establishment of the union of states,
from 1853 to 1872. and the development of
the Union from 1872 to the present time.
He called attention first to the early set
tlement Of the country, and emphasized
the importance in teaching this branch of
history to bring out certain economic
facts. For instance, the first settlers at
jamestown had no individual ownership
in land. It was held in common, and all
worked for the public welfare. The ex-
pertinent was failure, and demonstrated
that the only successful system of land
tenure is in private ownership. Another
economic fact to be brought out was the
establishment of civil and religious lib
erty, and in order to appreciate the privi-
leges Of today the pupils should learn of
the sufferings of the early settlers. The
reasons for the rise of English power and
the decline of the French power and their
results were discussed by the entire class.
The afternoon session opened with the
class in music under Professor Whiting,
the work being similar to that of the
morning. The lesson closed with the
singing of "Home, Sweet Home" and
my Country, 'Tis of Thee"
After the singing Professor Jones gave a
drill in marching, the musical accompani-
ment being played by Professor Sharpe.
Professor Heston then continued his in
struction in pedagogy. He held that the
science of education should come at the
end of good, solid course of study in or
der to develop the mind sufficiently to un-
derstand and appreciate such a science
Professor Wilson, the conductor of the
work in penmanship, presented his meth
cd of teaching small children to write.