Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-03-25
Northwestern Chic Round
Table.
Interesting and Enjoyable Time.

The Eleventh Serni-annual Session
of the Northwestern Ohio Round
Table met at Napoleon, March 10Th
and Goth. Friday until o'clock was
spent in observing the work done in
the various departments OF our
schools, after which all gathered in
the high school room for actual
round table work. After singing
America and electing Il. j. Beck
president (for ]. McInnis, the real
president could not attend any OF the
time), they proceeded to discuss the
first topic, THE Reading Circle. "
This subject was well discussed, and
all felt that each school should have
it's own library-primary, intermedi-
ate and high school.
The next subject discussed was the
conduct of Teachers Meetings.
This subject called out considerable
discussion-Dr. Burns felt that teach
ers should have a good education
after teaching ten or twelve years
because OF the advantages OF their
profession, advancement is the
watchword.
Mature Study in Elementary
Schools was next called for. This
discussion was argued along the line
of observation and classification In
early life. beauties of nature, etc.
At 8 o'clock the association ad-
iourned to the beautiful home OF Mr..
and Mrs. Orwig and enjoyed a bounte,
GUS repast that had bsen provided
by the teachers and board of educa-
tion. After supper delightful pro
gram that had been arranged by the
committee on entertainment was
rendered, consisting of music, reci-
tations and toasts. The music by
Misses Alta McHenry, Martha John
son, Frances Knupp and Corinne
Orwig, and recitations by Miss Her
mie Cuff and Ray McHenry, were
admirably and artistically rendered.
Hon. G. G. Miller of Lima, in a
toast OF we'll chosen words, paid a
high tribute to the hospitality OF the
host and hostess, their beautiful
home, the teacher and his profession.
At s o'clock they again assembled
in the high school room to proceed
with the program. After violin So
10 by Mrs. Prints, Public Kinder.
garten" was taken up for discussion
and it was soon ascertained that the
public kindergarten was coming and
coming to stay. The aim, object,
purpose and utility of kindergarten
were ably discussed by Hon. @. Q.
Miller, Supt. Zeller, Supt. Frank, DR..
Maerker, Dr. Burns and others. The
idea set forth was to connect the
kindergarten with the public school
caurse and to carry the kindergarten
principles in and through the higher
grades.
The next subject was the Multipli-
cation Table by reason or memory,
poetical cadence, as Mr.. Gardner
calls it. The general opinion pre-
vailed that the pupils should learn
the table in some manner If it did
take hard and long work.
The evenings program was agree
ably interspersed with recitations
and music; recitations by Misses
Mary E. Barnes and Stella Woke;
music by Mr. w. w. Campbell and
Mrs. Cahill and the quartette. AT
1890 the association adjourned until
8 o'clock Saturday morning.
At 0 o'clock Saturday morning the
association was called to order with
twelve counties represented, Miss
McDermott of Fostoria, the regular
secretary being present was called to
the chair, Miss Blair Of Defiance was
secretary, pro. tenn. to this time in
the session. The first question dis
cussed was Practical Teaching p
some thought this to be a ''catch
phrase that did not mean anything,
but although there was great diff
ference in teaching, some teaching is
too routine and monotonous-good
teaching should be vigorous, spirited
and varied to suit conditions.
The next subject discussed was a
spirited one on Especial Certificates
for Primary Teachers Hon. o. T.
Corson, state school commissioner,
opened the discussion of this subject
and in well chosen words explained
the law that applies to special GER
tificates," nd told something of the
miscomprehension of said law
throughout the state. Miss Sinclair
of Fostoria, thinks it an insult to
primary teachers to give them or
tender them a primary examination
because they are not qualified to
take the ordinary examination. She
thinks our primary schools require
the best teachers, and in order to be
the best they must necessarily be
we'll educated. The stream does not
rise, higher than the fountain. Sew
eral others talked on the subject and
the opinion was general that pri-
mary teachers should show scholar
ship.
Commencement Exercises" was
next discussed with considerable
vim, the general opinion prevailed
that the graduates should do the
talking, in short, it should be school
affair, not musicale or lecture en-
tertainment. Simplicity in dress
was recommended by some.
The subject-"Ele ents of Good
School," called out some discussion,
but not as much as was anticipated
by some. Order, industry and punctu-
ality seemed to be the ear marks OF a
good school.
The next subject that received con-
siderable attention was How to
Conduct Grammar Glass" Supt.
Zeller of Findlay, was of the opinion
that parsing and technical grammar
played an important part when ii
aided in correcting errors of speech,
and unless taught with that aim in
view, it was u waste of time and loss
of purpose. Hon. O. II. Corson gave
quite little talk on this subject, in
which he related his experience in