Arizona weekly citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz) 1880-1901, 1892-01-09
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.
$ Spelling Given Liberal Discussion by
The Psdagogue s-TO Spell by Sight
Or Hearing-Various Methods for
Different Teachers0Notes-
Mondays session.

/ D6lO lis UTsG Se6SlOn III Iuc 5ChOOl hpuSe
yesterday morning, commencing at 9:3C
a. IN, Prof. F. A. Gulley, Dean of the
School of Agriculture of the University
acting as chairman in the absence Of
County Superintendent j. S. Wood, who
was unable to be present on account Of
official duties.
The Institute organization was com
pleted by theelection of Miss Pomroy as
secretary and the appointment of three
| committees, on Arrangements, Resolu
| lions and Credentials; on arrangements,
Mrs. I j. Warren, Mrs A. M. Dyer and
j. l.. Hathaway; on resolutions, Mr..
FULLY, Mrs. Aguirre, Miss Borton and
Mrs. Warren, Miss Royce; on credentials
Mrs. Warren, Mrs, Snyder, and MIR
Hathaway.
Roll call was dispensed with, the
matter being referred to the committee
on credentials with instructions to re
port during the day. After a song by
the members of the Institute the regu-
ar programme was taken up, the first
paper being entitled penmanshlp," by
Mrs. A. Nj. Dyer of the Tucson schools.
An abstract Of this aper, as we'll AS
others, will be furnished in our next
/ issue.
Following the discussion of the paper
on penmanship, Prof. c. B. Collingwood
Of the University, read paper on Geo
graphy." This paper brought out con-
siderable discussion, the teachers Gener-
ally agreeing that the objective method
Of teaching, including the branching
out into natural history and other mat
ters not ordinarily classed under geogra-
ply, is desirable, but the question as to
whether the teacher in the country
school could adopt this plan satlsfactor
lily or not, seemed to admit OF some
doubt.
After general discussion and singing,
the meeting adjourned for the noon
recess.
The afternoon session was opened by
Prof. Tuliy, Dy discussion OF "SchooI
Law" 1t was then moved by Professor
Collingwood that the chair appoint
committee of three to report on the or
Animation of permanent committee on
school law. The motion was seconded
ind carried.
A paper on Natural Sciences in the
Public Schools" was then pr presented by
Prof. Tourney. He emphasized the lmN
portance of teaching the pupil personal
Investigation, research and conclusion,
and bel ed that the natural sciences
we're De- ,tltted to accomplish this result.
Prof. , ollingwood then took up the
subject. He favored more attention Il
chemistry anG physics, as they afforded
a greater variety af work and gave to the
pupil instruction which would be very
raluable % him in later life. He thought
the observing powers greater at seven
han seventeen years of age, and believ-
ID to develop them at the former age
vas 70 insure their subsequent activity.
Prof. Tully said that tn is class of work
nad been done in the lower grades of the
high school and asked reports from the
)ther departments.
Mr.. Hathaway SAID he had been able
interest only portion of his pupils.
Prof. Gul!ey here proposed for discus
SION whether IL is desirable to cut OF
some regular subject and substitute
work in this line. He spoke of college
instructors having only ten or fifteen
pupils. whose attention and interest
ould be brought directly upon the sub
ject in hand, but the greater number IL
public schools prevented this desirabl,
condition.
Miss Clarke thought it very desirable
% start this work very low in the grades
The subject was further discussed by
Hiss Tevis, Miss Pomroy and Mrs.
Hashins.
Prof. Tully spoke of the fine collec
.;on of grasses made by Mexican children
San XAVIER district, who took great
interest IN the work
Prof. Guley raised the que; ton as TO
this work increasing the sever ty OF the
teachers work.
Prof. Toumay thought the most valu-
able training to be given child was TO
rain it to observe, and that even ten
minutes day would improve the power
% a wonderful extent.
Pro-. Colliugwood said he found 1t
helpful to q school to substitute this
raining, TO a certain extent, In the place
If technical grammar. He spoke OF the
,act that, with the majority OF students,
The years of schooling were between the
Years of six and fourteen and the great
object of instruction during that time
was to educate the pupils power of oD-
servation abd to teach him TO remember
What he Sees.
After A general discussion regarding
the facility Of country school teachers
taking up work of this kind, recess
VAS taken for ten minutes.
After recess, discussion on How to
use Textbooks" was opened by paper
oy Miss Clarke. She spoke of the old
time method of giving the student
certain amount to commit, regardless OF
ais understanding of it. Then the text
book was ail-in al. now it is thrown
aside and TOPICS are taught. The per
.eptive faculties are trained, and the
student learns tr comprehend instead OF
repeat, parrot like. The keynote Of the
instruction of today is to interest the
child and to teach him 10 think for him
self. Miss Clarke believed in judicious
amount of object work, and thought
that the course prescribed by the school
BOARD should De adhered to, and too
much ambition in object wo avoided.
Prof. Collingwood referred TO his ex-
perience in district schools, ard believed
that the pupil should learn that t e
pound of sweet has its ounce of bitter,
and thus be prepared for the trials and
mingled pam and pleasure of later life.
Mrs. Dyer mentioned the danger
Of children depending to much
upon the teachers. She believed intel
ligeut reading was the secret Of Kno WI
eGge.
Prof. Tally inquired as to the pre-
ference of books ID the school room.
Mrs. Warren spoke OF the undesirable
feature of the A ypleton reader. its con-
tainlDg words too long and obscure for
he Juvenile mind. She said she had
taken books from home, and had used
hem IN advancing her pupils knowledge
Of reading. By thus making a selection
she could retain their interests. Mrs.
Snyder spoke of having used the Youths
COMPANION for the same purpose, and
with the best of results. Mrs. Dyer said
she had used short stories of her own
composition. Miss Clarke, Mr.. Lusk and
others then discussed the age when
books should first be used. Miss Clarke
thnught it better to dispense with the
book until the third year.
The institute then engaged In gener
81 J,s.rooior Of tho ObioctiVa mpthnd of