Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-10-15
TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
The Fifty-seventh Session was held
In the Public School Building
Friday and Saturday.


day afternoon. After the usual prelim-
inaries of such an occasion, Newton
Burns of Bethany presented 1.-TWO Views
of the School Room" One view was of
the parent and what he expected the
teacher to do for his children. The
other view was of the teacher and what
she could actually accomplish with the
ordinary insufficient equipment of
country schools. The difference is great.
The picture was very real and consistent
and not one bit over drawn.
VIM Owen of the Shakespearian Play
Co., spoke ten minutes on "Theater as
an Education" In few pointed re-
marks Mr.. Owen showed how the real
high class play, which is a true work of
literature and the literary drama, is
necessary for the development of the
race and the expression of mans life.
The class exercise in music of the first
grade pupils, conducted by Miss Smith
showed what startling things the little
ones can do in music even i'll the sixth
week of their training.
After recess the subject of Common
Sense in Arithmetic" was ably discussed
by X. p. Brooks and envoked considerable
discussion.
Miss Jessie Hildreth in her paper on
Literature in Country Schools showed
very conclusively how there is little
danger of OVERRIDING the matter of liter
ature in the schools. Cultivate a taste
for good literature in yourpupils. Every
boy and girl eleven years old should be
able to repeat such patriotic poems as
Paul Revere's Ride, Barbara Fritchie,
etc. History taught to the pupils by the
heroic lives will fix itself in their mem
ories and right doing will become part
of their lives
The Friday evening session was
omitted on account Of the absence from
town of DR.. Pettyjohn and several OF
the teachers availed themselves of the
opportunity to witness the performance
of Romeo and Juliet"
Saturday morning the general discus
sion of the subject of Opening Exercises
was ably introduced by Miss Moore OF
| Ithaca.
Ernest Gearhart who was to have
| discussed the topic, How and Why we
Govern, - on Friday married wife ant
could not come" 1t is expected that he
will be present at the next meeting anC
talk on "How and Why we are Gov
erned."
Miss Daisy Cook, Lafayette, in treat
ing Of Libraries" sang their praises anC
proclaimed their necessities in a grace
ful and happy way. 1t is amazing how
men who use tools for various kinds o
work expect the teacher to get alonl
without those tools, called books, which
are recognized as so necessary in he
work.
The class exercises in music by fourth
grade pupils was very fine. They jingleC
up in good shape and one of them sanl
nicely alone Great credit is due Mis-
Smith for her untiring and successful
efforts
Ernest Scott's paper on "The Stud.
of History by our Teachers was one o
the best that was presented during tn
entire session. 1t showed that tn
author had given great deal of careful
thought to the subject. History, h
said, deals with men of all times ant
like travelling it broadens the mind ant
enlarges the sympathies. 1t helps tn
memory and imagination, it makes tn
teacher a thinker, and a calculator o
probabilities by rendering his judgmen
more accurate and his foresight keener
1t both develops and gives guidance t
native ability. Are our teachers con
scientiously studying history that the.
may thus improve their powers?
The report of the committee of twelv
lgiyen earlier in the morning by Supt,
II. Coyell dealt Largely with distric
school questions and was one of tn
soundest arguments ever presented 4
the line. He recommended that tn
school officers meet with the teacher
from time to time and discuss the need
of the school that they may the more in
telligently meet those needs. A brie
synopsis of the report is given in anothe
column. 1t will be published in full
however, by the State Board of Educatio
! aud each teacher of the county supple