The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-29
R. |. Institute of InStruc-
tiOn Begins Work.
Enrichment of Elementary
School Courses"
Subject OF Morning Discussion, In
tereSting Address Made.

The annual session of the Rhode Island
Institute was opened at Infantry hall
this morning. The program commenced
with an organ recital ty Mr.. Charles u.
Kenyon. Before he had completed the
rendering OF his selection nearly every
seat In the big hall was occupied and
during the remainder of the morning
many people left the nall, even being I'M
able to find desira Die standing room.
At 10 O'Clock Rev. Alva 4. Carpenter
led in devotional exercises. after which
School rendered several vocal selections
under the direction of Mr.. Emroy z.
Russell, director of music in the Prov
idence schools.
President Frank o. Draper then de-
livered an instructory address, in which
he welcomed the visitors to Providence
and outlined the work of the institute
during the present year. President Draper
was followed by Hon. Thomas b. Stock
we'll, who presented the first address
upon the subject designated by the morn
ing discussion, "Tbe Enrichment of
Elementary School Courses" Mr.. Stock
we'll in opening the discussion spoke on
Course" aud called attention to
the value of the preparatory studies in
fitting the pupil for the higher branches
OF learning.
President Charles w. Elliot OF Harvard
University then spoke upon "The En-
richment OF the Courses Of Study in Ele-
mentsry schools,' calling attention to
the modern theory that there could be
nothing mors advantageous to the pupil
than the incorporation of geometry.
French, Latin and other branches of So
called higher education In the prepare
tory course, and he was followed by
Mrs. Alice Freeman Palmer, the ex-presi-
dent OF Wellesley College, and memo Der
of the Massachusetts, State Board OF
Education, who spoke on the subject,
"How Teachers Can Prepare Themselves
to Meet the New Demands" Mrs. Palmer
contrasted tho old with the new forms
OF instruction. and showed that the only
way in which teachers could hope to
make their work of benefit to the pupils
was by constant application and contin-
usd course OF, at the least, self-instruc-
tioD, the new methods calling for far
more labor on the part of the instructor
than had ever been demanded by the old.
superintendent Horace S.Tarbell of the
Providence public schools then spoke on
"The Public ann the Elementary
Schools" and his remarks were followed
by general discussion upon tho subject.
the session adjourning shortly after IL
o'clock.
The afternoon session at Infantry Hall
will be presided over by Hon. Thomas b.
StockwelI. The snbject for discussion is
"Child Study" and after the''report of
superintendent China G. Fisher OF the
Barnard School OF Child Study, has been
pres nted, Gardner 4. swarts, N. D., will
speak upon "Tbe Opportunity OF the
Teacher to Benefit the Pupil by Study
OF the Physical Defects in Chiidhood;"
N. Darrell Harvey, Nj. d., on "Some
External Signs of Visual Defects" and
President q. Stanley Hall Of Clark Uni
versity on "Child Study"
At the same time the department meet
ings will be held at the Providence High
School and the Y. M. g. A. Hall. Tho
grammar section will meet at the High
School, Lewis II. Meader OF the Mount
Pleasant Grammar School presiding. The
question for discussion will be. "Less
and More Of Grammar School History"
and the subject will be presented by
George II. Martin of Boston.
The meeting OF the high school section
will bs held at y. M. q. A. Hall, when
Professor ii. Z. Bumpus Of Brown Uni
versity Will discuss "Certain Practical
Applications OF the X-Rays."
AT Infantry Hail this evening Mr..
Robert Harper will deliver an illustrated
lecture, "From the Hudson to the