The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-09-02
Tesr--
-aers' Institute.

-Ae County Teachers Institute convened
at Corunna high school building Monday
morning, remaining in session during the
week. The institute is conducted by Prin.
W. n. Ferris, of Big Rapids, assisted by
Miss Hinsdale, of Ann Arbor, and County
School Commissioner Bristol.
Monday morning at the opening session
there were about sixty present, who spent
the time in visiting until the arrival of Mr..
Ferris, who came from his home that morn
ing.
OF Mr.. Ferris and his work as an educa-
tor, nothing need be said here, for he is
man of national reputation. For the past
few weeks or since his summer term. he
has been doing work in Illinois, and comes
from that field of labor direct to US. We
as teachers of Shiawassee county feel it
very great privilege in being able to have
him with us. So far this week he has been
giving rs work in mental arithmetic and
child study. His great aim and plea is
that we may haye arithmetic in the schools
the subjects taught in our schools, that
the boys and girls, when they launch out
upon the business world, will be familiar
with the common business usages. He
from the first grade and possibly but little
work in the second grade. This Is little in
advance of our common public schools to-
day, but we hope that we may soon see the
truth so plainly that we cannot get around
it. Again, he places great stress upon
mental arithmetic, saying II the school au-
thOrlties would lay aside so called written
arithmetic, and fill In with a complete
course in mental arithmetic, we would
have far better mathematicians, give the
pupil thorough and definite understand
ing of the fundamental principles of arith-
metic and 1t Is but little labor to build q
great mathematical mind. May we have
more of arithmetic as 1t is found In busi-
ness.
His work In child study is very good.
Teachers should make 1t their duty to study
each pupil that he may know his character
istics and deal with him accordingly.
Miss Hnsdale's work. Is In language,
reading and geography. Her work is very
important. She has dwelt mainly upon
methods of presenting the work that the
pupils may get the most from 1t. She
says make the reading class language
class; do not let the pupils pass para
graph until they have mastered the thought,
or until they have the thought the author
intended them to have, until they feel as
the author intended to have them feel. The
pupils should be trained to prize the value
of the dictionary.
Com. Bristol's work Is not In giving
instruction, but Id taking care of the en-
rollment and conducting the opening exer-
clses. He said ''last year gave the young
ladies odd numbers, this year l will give
the gentlemen the odd numbers, don't
know why make this change unless 1t is
because do not think the girls SO odd as
did one year ago." Circumstances alter
cases.
The number In attendance at the insti-
tute Wednesday afternoon was 107.
There was goodly number who attend.
ed the lecture given by Miss Hinsdale, Tues
day evening. Her subject was Rome aud
the discourse showed thorough prepare
ton. 1t was enjoyed by all present.
Prin. Ferris delivered an address We'd
nesday evening on the subject, Success
He wished to make 1t understood that nc
man is ignorant who wishes knowledge and
will make use of the means within bis
reach; that to make success of lite Is tC
have lived life to some useful purpose, sc
that the world will be better by our living
In 1t. In other words, life Is q failure
where this Is lacking, even though we may
possess untold wealth.
Hudson Sheldon, an old co. worker, at
tended the institute Wednesday.
TEACHER