The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-02-06
MANhNA SCHOOLS
Convention at Pearl City
Last Week,
Suggestions by Men and Women
Interest Taken in the Work.
Regular Meeting.

There were present at the Pearl City
convention teachers from near and
far, for it was TO be the first Of a series
OF regular meetings. Among those
present were: Mr.. J. L. Dumas OF the
normal class, Mr.. J. ". Smith, the
Misses Smith, Mr. Vivian Smith of the
Waiawa School, Mr.. Harris OF the Roy
al School, Miss VI. Giles Of Eva, Miss
F'erreira, Miss Scrimber OF the Kin
deIgarten, Mrs. Kekela and Miss Ke-
aCekane OF Meakua, G. Andrews OF
Hauula and others.
AT 1870 Mr. J. w. Smith called the
meeting 10 order. Mr.. j. l.. Dumas
was elected 10 I'LL the chair. \ class Of
native children was in readiness to be
the material 10 be acted upon. Miss
Stella Smith, the teacher, had the class
TO sing a song. after which practical
work was entered upon. Mr.. j. L. Du-
mas addressed the teachers on the
great benefit to be derived from the
frequent meetings. in which theory and
practice in teaching are discussed. He
asked those present their opinion on
local organizations, and whether it
was advisable to have a permanent
president for local teachers circles.
He thought il was hardly fair to throw
the whole responsibility on one mans
shoulders. 1t was, therefore, agreed to
select a new leader for each succeeding
meeting. who was to be answerable for
that days work.
Mr. J. w. Smith then took primary
class through the course of sprouts.
He showed how he wished his teachers
to proceed in teaching primary num-
bers. He started out with counting
frame and the blackboard, and gave a
thoroughly good lesson in primary adj
dition, subtraction, multiplication and
division, and their accompanying
signs of plus, minus, ETC. The lesson
was very interesting, more so than if
Pestalozzi and Froebel had been dis
cussed. Theory is everything when put
through the crucible successfully of
practice, and deserved criticism. Many
a wise pedagogue then sees that there
lis nothing perfect under the sum-"
The above lesson wound up with a
song by Miss Stella Smith and her
class after which a recess of 10 min
utes was taken. Mr.. Dumas thereupon
invited well-meant criticism on the
foregoing work of Mr.. Smith. Mr..
Harris was the first to accept the kind
ly offer. The success of this first meet
ing was entirely due to Messrs. Dumas,
Smith and Harris. They gave the meet
ing decided tone.
Mr.. Harris suggested that primary
numbers be taught (and it was finally
agreed upon) % by object, pictures and |
90 by words (oral, with signs, |
~ by words written with signs), az |
by figures, after which practical ex-
amples should follow. A discussion of |
the advisability of using the signs of |
plus, minus, etc, took up sometime. A |
chapter of Payne's Pedagogy was |
then read and considered step by step. |
Il treated of the moral standing a |
teacher holds or should hold in So |
ciety. 1t contained food for a whole |
weeks consideration, but as time was |
limited, program for the next meet |
ing, to be held on the last Saturday of |
was arranged
Miss Ferreira volunteered to give a |
esson on primary reading at the next
session. Mr.. ]. L. Dumas was thanked
or the aid he so kindly preferred, and |
he meeting was adjourned, but only
% Mr.. J. w. Smiths dining room.
where sumptuous repast was indulg-
ID in.
Mr. Smith and Mrs. J. Smith of the
Pearl City Fruit Company. the worthy
lCsts, had not forgotten that the ment-
II strain of two hours had necessitat-
I'd the inner man to be thought of
We were told to make ourselves at
home, for he (MT. SMITH was at home
md he wished we were all at home
t was double meaning, for while mine
lost wanted TO make us feel at home,
he train at the depot notified us that
he ''sad hour of parting" had arrived
After wishing each other eau revoir''
he party scattered, TO meet again after
cur weeks. G. ANDREWS,
Secretary.
January 80, 1897.