The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-05-04
TEACHERS INSTITUTE.

leldI1.
Roll call showed most all teacher
present ready for another days work
Supt. Lyman then announced. in
few words, the general principles III
derlying learning to read.
class from Miss Sayre's room san,
after which the subject of primar
reading was introduced by Mrs. Busey
She gave a summary of the committe
Of ten on this subject. She outlined tn
ward system of learning to read, a
formulated in the Brooklyn, N. Y
schools. Words are the garment o
thought, and should be carefully chosel
and well fitted. Mrs. Busey ILLUSTRATED
her mothod of teaching by class and By
blackboard work. The method use(
seems to be eclectic in it's scope, com
bining the word, phonic and alphabet
methods. 1t outlines three lines of work
The first so words should be taught by
the word method; the phonetic method
Is skillfully introduced while these sc
words are being acquired, by rapid
blackboard work; lastly, oral practice
on words made up from the lists pre-
pared and made up from sounds. Spe-
cial attention should be given to phono,
grams and words from them. The pre-
sentation of this method created much
interest among the teachers, and many
profitable questions were brought out.
Miss Bayles then continued the sub
ject of reading and gave an excellent
paper. She spoke at length on the CO.
relation of work, and suggested that
the idea of correlation be not carried to
the extreme, so as to become monot-
onous to the pupil.
1t was an able paper and thoroughly
enjoyed by all the teachers
Mr.. Brewer thought the object Of
reading is to gain thought and informa-
ton.
The discussion which followed brought
out many things for the teachers to
carry into their work.
The report on arithmetic was pre-,
sented by r. N. Wright The subject
brought out much difference of opinion.
Mr.. Hawes would do away with con-
crete problems in arithmetic would
have no business colleges; when the
pupil leaves the grammar school he !
should be able to take charge of any po-
sition in business.
A. l.. Clark said that he believed In
concrete work, practical results and
plenty of drill.
Mr.. Prescott would not eliminate the
business college; it has its place, and is
doing an excellent work; allow the pu-
pill to apply what he learns by object
work.
Mr.. Brewer would eliminate most of
commercial arithmetic but leave as
much as would be practicable
Mr.. Williams thinks the business col
lege has a place, but that our public
schools should well qualify for actual
life.
Mr.. Prescott. critic, then made his
report, tfter which the institute ad-
journed until 1:SO p. m.
The afternoon session opened at 1870
with roll call. Then followed a song by
the high school choir entitled "viva
LAmerica."
The subject of arithmetic was resum-
ed, and much that was valuable was
brought out in the discussion of the
relative value of the mental discipline
obtained by simpler versus more OBJ
struse mathematical work; that the text
book should be made subordinate to the
living teacher; that more attention
should be given to simple calculations
and concrete problems; that the pupils
of grammar schools should be familiar
lied with simple algebraic expressions
and symbols; that a problem to exem-
plify o. difficulty in arithmetic should
be made by the teacher on the spur Of
the moment rather than taken from a
text book; that all teaching in arith-
metic should be objective; in short, the
summary of the committees report was
carefully reviewed by Messrs. Clark,
Williams, Prescott, Brewer, Case and
Wright, and Mrs Busey, Misses Powell
West and others.
Mr.. Hawes then introduced the sub
ject of writing, and after giving the
principles, put on the board some prac-
tice work which he uses in the school
room.
The subject of vertical writing was
brought up by Mr.. Prescott, and created
much interest among the teachers. Most
of the teachers had not heard of it, but
seemed quite pleased with the idea.
Miss Powell followed with the subject
of geography from the report of the
committee of ten. The recommenda-
tions in this report were to the effect
that too much time is spent on this sub
ject in proportion TO the results secured.
The suggestion is made that the
course be broadened; more nature work
done: teach the habits of observation.
Mr.. Clark thought the present meth
DDS a great improvement over those
used years ago.
The institute listened to some remarks
from Rev. Schmid. who spoke at length
in reference to the systems Of educa-
ton in some European countries; the
Of the American and Switzer-
land school systems.
After the critics report and the sing
ing OF America" the meeting adjourn
ed until a m. today.
REMOVED.