The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-10-08
HAD A TALK
WITH PATRONS
Supt. Quigley Explained the New Meth
ods Of Teaching in the Public
Schools Saturday Evening.
Duncan Patrick Died Last Friday in a
Hospital at Sioux City Of ofConSump-
tion and Buried Saturday.
TO BUILD A BRIDGE
TO BUILD A BRIDGE
County Commissioners Award the Con-
tract for a Steel Bridge Across the
Jim River Seven Miles North.
TALKED ON SCHOOL METHODS.

Supt. Quigley Gave Patrons Some Infor-
nation ON New Methods of Teaching.
In response to Supt. Quigley's invita-
tion to the patrons of the public schools
about one hundred met him at the court
house Saturday evening TO listen to
what he had to say concerning the
schools of Michel. He first spoke of
the all important factor in the school,
the teacher, remarking the necessary
qualifications required at this period of
time to properly and intelligently per-
form the duties. To the teacher who
came up to the demands of the occasion,
the teacher who sought with greater
ambition to instruct rather than to col
lect, he paid merited tribute, and ex-
pressed himself as being disgusted in
measure with those who worked in
the profession just for the money there
was in it.
Supt. Quigley is against the observ-
ance of the oldtime recess and declared
himself in strong terms against the old
time custom. He believed that it was
the cause of more trouble than anything
else in the schools. Pupils, he said,
coming in from recess of fifteen min
utes are in high state of excitement,
nerves unstrung and in no condition to
study. AS result from twenty to twen-
ty-fve minutes are lost in quieting
down the school. With no recess the
schools are lot out that much earlier at
noon and night. AS to its popularity
he said the pupils voted strongly in fa-
vor of abolishing the custom.
Mr.. Quigley then took up the meth
ods OF teaching reading, writing, spell
ing, grammar and music, taking each
separately and showing how better re-
suits are Obtained in an easier way
and the mind of the child is put in a
much more receptive condition. Speak
ing of reading he said that formerly it
was the custom to teach it so that the
pupils could spell and pronounce the
words without difficulty but there was
no symmetry in their reading and they
had less idea Of what the sentence
meant. Using the sentence method
now in vogue the child is taught to
grasp the sentence at once by using an
object with it. The thought is fastened
there by the object. So it was with the
other studies mentioned, new ideas
coming into use makes the requirement
of knowledge much easier. 1t was 8
revelation to most of the people present
that suoh change had been gradually
going on in educational lines and they
showed deep interest in what the sup
erintendent said.
| Mr.. Quigley referred to drawing
nature study and child study and char
acterized these as being strong ele
ments to develop and train the mine
of the pupil. He exhibited some draw
ings from nature made by the pupil
which were very good. His remark
on these lines we're very interesting.
In closing Mr.. Quigley had few
words to say to the parents. he want
ed them to take more interest in th'
children and in the schools. Urged
them to talk with their children abou
their school work and to visit th'
schools themselves.
1t was splendid idea for Mr.. Quig
ley to bring the patrons together ant
it is regretted that the room was no
filed. A close afiliation of the patron
with the teachers will bring about
happy and successful result of tn
school system.