River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-04-02


this territory. Supt. Jones superin-
tends the schools of the town OF
Washburn. He thought the superin-
tendent should be practical teacher
and take charge of classes temporarily
TO relieve some tired teacher. He
related some of his experiences in
| relieving teachers He thought the
superintendent should be a leader
who could and would lead his teachers.
He should learn from his teachers
and cary what he learns from one to
the other.
Supt. Williams of Douglas Co.
presented the work of the county
/ superintendent. He said that he had
some words of advice TO those who
were ambitious to become a county
superintendent. He said every new
superintendent at once went to work
''to raise the standard" As the
teaching force changes continually, a
new and untried force constantly
succeeding, the work of examination
of teachers is important. He did not
think ii necessary to examine his
| teache RS, who had once been examined,
every year. He thought that when a
teacher had proved his learning by
examination and his ability to teach
by actual teaching, that teacher
ought to be excused from examination
in order that he may enlarge his
knowledge in other directions. The
discussion was continued by Prin.
Tobey of Hudson and Supervisor A.
W. Rankin of Minnesota.
Prof. A. w. Rankin, Graded School
inspector of Minnesota next spoke on
the topic weakness of Graded
Schools and What an Inspector Can
Do to Remedy Them" The graded
school is school in village that does
not support high school. This class
of schools, being between the rural
school and the city school, is neglected.
The financial question is an important
one in their management. The in
spector can help in ways that county
superintendent cannot because he is
not dependent politically upon local
authorities. The inspector can speak
most freely to the board. He can,
keep record of good teachers and
help school boards to find them.
f. a. Hutchins, of Baraboo, spoke
next upon the library question in
Wisconsin. He desired to enlist the
help of teachers in working the
schools in lines parallel to the objects
of the library association. He thought
the teacher had q duty to do besides
teaching child TO read. The teacher
must take the child to a library and
put him in contact with an intelli-
gent librarian. The teacher must
enlist the community in establishing
modern libraries.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
There was no general session of the
association Tuesday afternoon, but
the time was occupied by what are
known as sectional meetings The
county superintendent, the high
school teachers, the graded school
teachers and the rural school teachers
held sectional meetings.
90. SuDts Section.
Sup-. Shaw of Pierce Co. presided
over this section. The institute
question was discussed by Prof. Clark
of the Normal School, Prin. Tobey of
the Hudson High School, and Supt.
Anna Smith of Eau Claire Co.
Supt. Dora Riser of Barron Co. dis
cussed the question of what the
superintendent visit should ac-
complish. Other topics were in
formally discussed and much interest
was manifested.
Hiqh School Section.
Nearly every high school of note in
North West Wisconsin was represent
ed by its principal in this meeting.
Prin. Callahan of Glenwood was the
presiding officer.
Principal Wood of Augusta and
Prin. Ames of New Richmond pre-
sented papers on Electricity in the
High School" They advocated
large measure of laboratory work with
quite an extensive supply of apparatus.
They thought that about one-third
Of the time devoted to physics should
be taken for teaching electricity.
The papers were valuable and should
be published.
The topic of manual Training in
the High School" was next presented
by Supt. j. Il. Hoyt of Menomonie.
He discussed quite fully the cost of
the outfit for the ordinary high school
and what such an outfit should be.
Prin. IL. ~ Wilson then presented
an able paper on UNITED States
History in the High School" He
gave some of the results of an investi-
cation among twenty high schools in
Northwest Wisconsin. He deprecated
the employment of university methods
in teaching this subject in the high
school. He was warmly applauded
when he closed.
Prin. Cameron of Cum berland con-
tinued the discussion. Prin. Rounds
of Bayfield, made some pertinent
| remarks.
The topic of High School Libraries"
was presented by Prin. John Foster
of Shell Lake. He thought there
might be too many books both for
reference and study. Pupils must be
taught to use these books or they will
be Of no use to them.
Prin. John Billie of Alma continued
the discussion. He deprecated the
formation of a habit Of reading
carelessly.
Grdded School Section.
This section was under the leader
ship Of Prin. Geo. w. Swartz Of
Baldwin. FIRST paper on "Neces-
sary Power and Duty Of a Graded
School Principal by c. L. Hill of
Knapp. He held that the principal
should perform the duties of superin-
] tendent, make rules, direct the
/ teachers etc.
Supt. A. w. Rankin, inspector of
Graded schools for Minnesota dis
cussed the paper.
| Miss Ross Dean of Baldwin now