The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-08-24
por,age GO. reaehers, Institute.

| to II:35. He stated tIial tnlS "oulo hlaAo Hi'
sixth week of Institute work this Summer haV-
ine spent three weeks at Chautauqua, and just
returned from Utah that he formerly taught IN
Ohio, was in fact an adopted Buckeye, but nad
never worked in an Ohio Institute.
Then followed some remarks on the teacher
profession. A teacher should have earnestness
| in his work. He should appreciate it; this Is
his first great lesson in life. Teaching, or de-
veoping the body, mind and soul, is the great
est profession. 1t is sad to see teacher VINO
does not appreciate his work-he would look
well in digging bitches.
Col. Parker said he had been teaching tor
thirty-sx years. having begun in district school,
in New Hampshire, and gave in an interesting
way some mistakes of his early experience, IN
teaching reading, emphasis and pauses. lie
encouraged watching the method of expression
which children naturally use, as perfection OF
elocution is found in children. Much of the
elocution of later years is simply repairing the
ravages of bad teaching in reading.
Then came the question, What is reading ?
This was answered in practical way by use of
the blackboard and experimenting on those
present, which topic consumed the rest of the
period.
| After an intermssion of ten minutes. Prof. /.
| A. Mcdowell was introduced, and spoke briefly
of the object of the Institute as being not mere
| ly to give instruction in the various branches,
but to encourage thinking on part of the teach
ers. 1t is an encouraging sign if teachers feel
their shortcomings, as then there is a chance for
improvement.
| Mr. Mcdowell gave as his list of studies for
l the week, History, Grammar with Language
| Lessons but with rather more attention to the
| last named than to what is known as technical
grammar.
After an announcement in regard to the SAM
Piles of literature on the table, adjourned at noon.
MONDAY P. NJ.
Called to order at o'clock.
Miss Wait occupied the first period of IS
minutes with remarks illustrated by examples
on the proper carriage of the body, breathing
exercises and expansion of the chest.
Prof. Mcdowell used the next period with
| talk on language lessons. He stated that the
| technical grammar is not as popular as formerly
because it has been abused having been taught
| in grades where it should not have been. In his
own school, technical grammar is taught very
little below the high school, and the results are
much better than formerly. Below that school
| language lessons are the means of instruction.
These begin the first term the pupil enters. Oral
lessons are used at first because they already
accustomed to talking. From the telling of
simple stories we pass to written work and finally
compositions. Elementary science, zoology,
botany and astronomy can be taught in these
lessons. Not much is gained by the mere con-
structon of sentences, but the objects should be
THOUGHT, and then the expression of it. AS a
basis for this work observation lessons on plants
and animals, or objects about them in which
| they are interested can be used with good ad-
vantage. The time will come for some attention
to technical grammar and this we will consid-
er later.
After five minutes intermission, Col. Parker
took up again the subject of reading in general.
He said he would not give devices for reading,
though he could do it if he had a conscience
that would let him. The strongest habit of an
intellectual mind, though rare, is asking what a
thing is asking it anew, without prejudice, and
when the question is asked, putting all ones
power to answer it. Now as to reading we will
not give definition, bui proceed to make one
, A word is an object. 1t acts on consciousness
in arousing certain appropriate activities, and
has no other use. A word is object of nc
interest to the child, but by the law of associa
ton, when one activity Immediately succeeds
another in consciousness thereafter, the presenci
of the one tends to bring in the other. Now thu
teaching of reading is the presentation of th
conditions which arouse the appropriate activi
ties to a word. The subject will be continued
tomorrow.
TUESDAY MORNING.
HsThe exercises opened this morning with sing
d ing. DR.. ]. H. Hollingshead then read a selec
j. ton from the Scriptures and offered prayer.
AT o:l5 Col. Parker gave an opportunity fo
a asking any questions pertaining to the work {
, teaching. A few only took advantage OF tn
chance, and the next twenty minutes were sp.r
in the discussion of the answers.
> Prof Mcdowell used the next period in treat
ing the subject of History, emphasizing the Mt
, cessity of extensive preparation for teaching
He gave the following reasons for studying hi
tory: 1st, for information in itself. end, ft
mental discipline; training the memory, imag
nation reason, judgment and feelings. srd,
10 fit for the duties of citizenship. 4th, to gain
is knowledge of human nature. 5th, to NAL
or character. 9th, to cultivate patriotism. 9TH,
cultivate good taste for historical reading.
Next, what to study: Ist persons or biogr
ply; 2nd, events, polit!cal,a and especially socia
Many text books should be used for referenc
0r 1925.
81 Col. Parker again took up reading with IL
Ga question "What will arouse the greatest desi
r to know word ?" With an intense desire, Il
written word will be learned as easily as the or
Id one. Whatever child likes he will readi
1a learn to speak and write about Now what do
the child love? In an enthusiastic manner Il
ID Colonel spent several minutes in telling chile
w love for the following elements of the science
he but not for them as usually taught from boo
I. Geography, or the present appearance
C. the earth surface.
tn 2. The science of changes. or geology.
ed 8, Minerology.
=. 4, Science of the laws of motion in Physic
OF S, Of plants and flowers. or botany.
he E, OF animals, or zoology.
ed 7, Of man, or the highest animal, anthropt
=, ogy.
VI 8, OF social life, history and government.
A child loves spontaneously every subject
:. all education.
ID A chance was then given for questions al
he as the interest was so great, the time for Il
nd exercise was extended rs minutes to allow t
numerous questions to be commented on a
IS answered.
he Miss Wait occupied the last 20 minutes
showing how instruction should be given
os' gymnastic exercises, stating they not mere
iv- for health, though that is the common belief
are to aid in the expression of thought. Th
serve also to correct wrong attitudes which te
to produce wrong emotions, and thus they pl
an inn rtant part in improving the charact
Adjourned at noon.
en- TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
The first division from 1870 to 22o, was
voted to further treatment of the subject
Reading, by Col. Parker. At the start
teacher should get the child interested in son
IDS, thing, and then begin to talk on the blackbos
or write about the object. Any words will dc
caterpillar, cocoon, butterfy-and strange,