The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1893-09-02

and Messrs. G. +. VanGilder, G..
Fred Dorsey and NJ L. Brown. as
reporters for the independent, New
DOMINION and Post, respectively.
While the work of enrolment was
being effected Rev Day spoke few
words of welcome to the teachers
and offered some good advice. He
was followed by County Supt.
Brown aud Samuel Hackney, both of
whom made some valuable sugges-
tions After some further organi-
cation and necessary preliminary
work the Institute adjourned to meet
at BOZ NJ
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Institute was opened with music
after which Prof. T. c. Miller the in
structor was introduced His open
ing address was filled with degree
of earnestness that made a deep i'm
preston upon his hearers and show
ed that he thoroughly understood
his work. He explained the object
of institute work, showing that, since
large percentage of our school
teachers each year are new and in
experienced and wholly ignorant of
the work before them, it is necessa-
ry to make an organized effort to in
struet the new as well as to inspire
the old. He explained the Institute
Law of West Va, which requires all
teachers to attend at least one insti-
tute annually before being eligible
to teach.
The Topic: Country Schools, their
organization" was then discussed
and a number of new ideas adyanc.
ed by the instructor in regard to
gaining information, as to classifi-
cation and arrangement of school.
This led to the discussion of the
free school system in general, and a
comparison of the West Virginia
school system with that of other
states.
Some defects in our own system
were pointed out and some valuable
suggestions for improvement offer
ed.
A recess of ten minutes was given
after which another piece of music
was rendered by the choir
Prof. Miller then brought up the
subject of Music and said that ten
years hence, it would be taught in
our common schools and that all
teachers would be required to pass
an examination in the elements of
music.
The subject of reading was sug-
gested and quiz conducted by the
instructor which proved to be very
interesting He said that the great
est defect in our present system of
reading is that too much attention
is given to stage elocution and not
enough to ordinary reading; and
that Improvement in this line can be
made only by complete drill in the
elementary sounds. The advan-
tages Of the word method, invented by
Prof. Webb, over the old system
were clearly shown. This occupied
the remainder of the afternoon SEES
sion and the Institute adjourned un
til 900 A. NJ. Tuesday
TUESDAY MORNING.
Institute opened at 600 A. NJ De
votional exercises were conducted
by Prof. Miller. This was followed
by by Memory Gems from the teach
ers.
The grading and classification of
schools was continued and the TEN
porary and permanent classification
were both fully discussed. The in
structor said Lack of sufficient
organization and classification is
the bane of our school system in w.
Va" He advised teacher not to
classify and promote their pupils
after any fixed method, but to use
their judgment largely in the mat
ter.
After an intermission of fifteen
minutes, the roll was called and sew
eral new attendants responded.
A very inter esting and pleasant
part Of the morning exercises was a
beautiful solo artistically rendered
by Miss Lucy Donley accompanied
by Mrs. DR.. j. w. Hartigan. Miss
Lucy is one of Morgantown's most
accomplished singers and her solo
was well received.
Next, THE West Virginia Hills"
song composed by Mrs Ellen A
King a former w. Va teacher, was
led by Prof. Miller, and in music as
well as in other work he showed
himself to be perfectly at home
The next topic was Arithmetic,
methods of primary teachers, in
numbers, methods Of teaching frac-
tions and a general discussion of
Arithmetic. This occupied the re-
mainder of the morning session. DR..
E. M, Turner favored the institute
with his presence and made some
valuable remarks about teaching
Arithmetic to beginners. He said
that the difficulty in teaching Arith-
metic to beginners is that the work
is begun before the child's intellect
has been trained to distinguish be-
tween the nominal and real object,
and before his power of attention is
cultivated. Institute adjourned to
meet at | AS P. NJ.
Following is list of teachers en-
rolled
Tida Barley, G. Fred Dorsey,
lila Bircher, Enos ID. Eddy,
Lucy z. Barrack n M. A. Fletcher,
BERTHE Bayles, S. r. Fisher,