The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-08-15
Some Reflections on the Teachers In
afffufa

stitute.
The primary object of q teachers institute
is to suggest modes OF teaching rather than
to give Instruction. 1t Is taken for granted
That the teacher Is fully qualitied-which is
not always the case-and only needs TO be
shown the way by which he can impart
knowledge to others. 1t Is true that many
learned men and women are not able to
impart what they, through their superior
advantages and opportunities, .have learn.
ed. This IS the fault Of their nature and
there are equally as many who are gifted
with the art OF imparting, but yet are lacking
In preparation. Both knowledge and the art
Of lmparting 1t are necessary for successful
teaching.
This "knowing how" as we often express
II, has always been considered an Important
element In the sciences and other professions,
but only OF late years has T. received aS,y any al,
profession is OF lale date. Formerly teachers
taught for year at a time. so TO speak: that
any lntenon Ssv OF aSa ibelF worE no
special study and took but little interest In
IL. TODAY, however, most teachers under
take teaching as their life-work. and therefore
purpose better fits them for their work and
makes a demand for professional teachers.
Since teaching has been elevated 70 the
plane of d profession, 1t should not oe de.
something else. IT Is the only profession
that has ever been regarded as such, anu IL
should be so no longer: It is just as necessary
for g teacher TO be drilled In the best modes Of
teaching as it is for lawyer 70 be acquainted
with the laws Of his State. This dri II is TO be
secured through the reading OF educatlonal
literature, the instruction given 10 lnslltates,
and social contact with felloW.teaehers,
where plans and experience may be exohang.
| ed. Institutes supply both the instruction
| and the social enjoyment
| Some idea OF their working can be gathered
from the following review of one recently
| held at Abbeville. Two teachers, one for the
primary and the other for the advanced
Studies were taken up in order each day, and
lessons were given in each TO show the meth
DDS of teaching. In all the blackboard was
freely and frequently used, and the 1mpor-
tance of its use was continuously demonstra-
ted. Every study can be made clearer
through It's aid, and without II no teacher
| can be successful. No school house IL COM
plete without good blackboard.
| Reading was the first study taken up, and
| the objective mode OF teaching 1t was used.
This, It is true. is much easier and more at
tractive TO child than the old "letter-and.
word" method, but the latter Is much more
accurate. The greatest success can be had In
using the two together. The Importance, too,
of correct reading was especially stressed. me
time devoted to 1t by most teachers Is lnsnh
Client and the rules Tor Intelligent reading
are too much neglected.
The ordinary course laid down In the
"Readers" Is entirely too short, and while IL
could not well be lengthened. yet attention
intelligent reading IL often the solution TO
an arithnetical problem or ray OF light TO
seemingly dIaicuI, passage Con1rsrly nanSsl
sublime statement perfectly RIDICULOUS.
Next in order was spelling. This was for
merly taught orally now II IL almost alto, sas
many decided advantages over the oral. In
writing u word you individualize the letters.
60 slower, have an exercise In penmanship,
and get a mental picture OF It, If mistake
e, tha ion Ia
preston through The eye Ia much more last
ing than one through the ear. Dictation ex-
ercises are extremely valuable in cultivating
the habit of correct spelling. mistake 10
spelling should never be tolerated in an exer.
else or lessen. There is nothing that 10 low.
ers ones standard Of scholarship as bad
spelling. 1t Indicates either Ignorance al h,n or
the latter Is crime against the dignity and
honor OF scholarship.
Lessons were given In systematic writing
and drawing; This is aI new study IN our 1I
Of much importance In teaching geography,
which, In turn. is very helpful In teaching
history. Maps we're drawn and also made
In a mouId-board with dirt and water. In
this way il seen a real representation Of the
typography of the country which is being
studied. Though 1t Is very slow way, yet II
is very practical and highly entertaining. In
con nection with these, historical charts were
used.
In the arithmetic lessons the objective mode
was used as far as practicable. The counting
OF objects helps the child's mind to form an
accurate Idea of what numbers are. The ne
cessity of thorough drilling In the fundaDen.
tai principles was especially stressed. The
I'm mportance Of taking up the subjects accord
ing TO their practical benefit was shown.
Many exercises were given showing how time
could be saved by mental operations. Fire.
Quent examples of practice should be given.
The idea OF beginning TO subtract from the
left hand was advanced and explained. 6ui
In our opinion II Is not In the natural order
of things andfwill not be adopted.
Some lesso1s were also given IN music, civil
government and ethics. But the subject that
created the most attention Was English gram
mar. The importance OF It's continued ap-
plication was clearly shown. Every recitation
spoken or written English. The interest In
this subject and kindred educational litera-
ture was greatly increased by the scholarly
lecture of the worthy President OF the Asso
citation.
The meeting together Of 30 many teachers
can not but result In good. Though one may
have enjoyed ever so many opportunities In
preparations for teaching, yet something new
can be learned. A teacher Of wide expert.
epce said that from every institute he attend.
ed he derived some practical beneht or re.
celved some fruitful suggestion that he could
put into use.
Then the lectures, music, and discussions
should put new life into one and better nj
him for his work In the future. The success
OF the past institute should be source OF In
spration for larger attendance at the next,
where every teacher and school official should
be present, for matter OF vital Importance
| to the educational interests Of this country
will be discussed. j. Frank Fooshe.