The Hawaiian gazette., 1896-10-16
OFFICERS REELECTED FOR YEAR
Talk BY Inspector Townsend On Duties o.
Importance in SchOol-Plans for Fortnight
ly Meetings for General Study ami Reading
Among Local Teaehers-6ood Attendance


Inspector Townsend was present and
opened with prayer.
After the reading of the minutes
Dir. Ray proposed that the society dis
cuss plans for work for the coming
year, and called for expression of ideas
on the subject Some one suggested
work in connection with the National
Teachers Association. Mr.. Ray asked
for meetings for that purpose at least
once a month. Mr.. Townsend spoke of
meeting even oftener. and told OF the
interesting weekly gathering in La
hama; suggested additional readings
on mind study, to be found in month
~ magazine called "Educationa Found
ations," and urged thorough study to
enable teachers TO pass written exam
nations
Mr. Ray mentioned Osmer Abbott
of Lahainaluna, and n. E Lennon
OF Spreckelsville, agents through whom
desirable works on education could be
purchased, and referred the audience
10 further information contained in
the September extra of the Progress
sive Educator.
Miss Lyman moved that the associa-
ton be resolved into committee of
the whole to consider the matter of
local circles for combined study After
about half an hour the secretary was
requested TO prepare report which,
after some modification, stands as fol-
lows: The suggestion is made that
there be formed in Hilo reading cir
Gle TO meet once a fortnight Choosing
its own time, place and leader for the
purpose of studying the works recon-
mended by the National Teachers As
ISOLATION, and also to take up some
course that includes teaching, reading
and the English language. The leader
shall direct the course" This is un-
derstood not TO prohibit branch circles,
if any group find it inconvenient to at
tend at the place and hour selected.
In case other circles are formed, all
the leaders will join in committee to
direct the course of study.
At the afternoon session Mrs Town
send was selected leader of the general
circle; place, Union school building;
time, Oct %. Some who cannot reg
ularly attend asked for books and for
information about the plan of study,
that they might keep in touch with
the class.
The officers for the Hilo Teachers
Union were reelected and stand as
formerly; Miss Deyo, president W.
Ray, vice-president; Miss Coan, sec
rotary and treasurer Program COM
mite for quarterly meeting, Dec f.
Mrs. Terry, Mrs. Townsend and Miss
Weight.
AT about 1870 Mr.. Townsend rose to
address the meeting. He went right
10 the point of Duties of Importance
in School" He spoke of the condition
of school grounds, building, furniture,
the daily order of the school rooms;
the personal appearance OF the teacher,
his manner, his time, his method of
discipline; obedience in the schools
it cheerful or grudging, willing or IN
willing? Let me choose a stronger
word than willing, which may mean
only a sort of apathetic consent; let me
say -willful obedience. "a will TO do the
right" First of all the teacher must
secure obedience and order.
Evidences of obedience in the pupils
If discipline is lax, interest drags-on
the opposite hand fear drives out inter-
est There is golden mean.
What is the nature OF this interest?
Is IL the matter itself, or in getting a
prize. keeping rank in class, pleasing
the teacher? Only the first is of the
highest rank; but the last one should
not be condemned, especially in little
children, who begin with low ideals
Is the interest passive or active; does
it consist in mere idle listening 10 the
story or illustration, or does it awaken
the mind TO an activity of its own?
Engagements of pupils at their desks.
What they doing? What is busy work?
Is it always profitable? Are the chill
dren working silently, or are they dis
turbing their neigbors?
Mr.. Townsend said that the essential
principle of instruction is that the
mind begins everything with an indi
vidual idea and must from that reach
out generalization and application. He
illustrated by the familiar act of hold
ing out two fingers and two fingers TO
make four fingers. But after the cor
crete the child must reason 10 the alb
stract and discover that all twos and
-wo's make four.
Mr. Townsend also illustrated the
statement that q of l equals 4 of 3,
by an object lesson with three sheets
of paper folded into fourths and cut TO
suit his purpose. Adaptation of work
10 the ehild's mental powers. Is the
work too hard for the ehild2 Correc.
ton OF errors should emphasize, not
the error, but the right form. Do not
present incorrect forms for criticism to
any but advanced classes. Neatness and
accuracy in written work. Is inaccu-
racy the result of carelessness, or of
ignorance2 How does the teacher ask
questions? To remind the pupil Of an
answer, or to set him TO thinking out
his own answer In this country there
is temptation 10 ask leading questions
owing to the difficulty he pupil finds in
framing sentence answers in an IN
familiar tongue.